IPL 2023: 3 Key Match-Ups to Watch-Out in SRH VS PBKS Match No.14

IPL 2023: The 14th match of the ongoing 16th season of the Indian Premier League-IPL 2023 will be played between Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and the Punjab Kings (PBKS) on Sunday, April 9 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. It has been a season of contrasts for both these teams in the initial few days of the tournament so far. While PBKS have won both their opening matches of the season, SRH has faced two consecutive defeats.

When it comes to the head-to-head record between these two teams. Both teams have met in 20 IPL matches so far with SRH winning 13 games while the Punjab-based team has won just 7. This record suggests how it has been one-sided domination. Although SRH hasn’t won a single game yet at their home ground, the Orange Army is a force to reckon with.

Having lost both their league games so far, the home side desperately needs a win to open their account in the IPL 2023. Rajasthan Royals (RR) crushed them on their home ground in the first match of the season at home. In their first away game, they went down again versus Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). SRH need their batting to click in order to get their campaign rolling in order to avoid a third loss in a row. 

Punjab Kings are on a roll now winning both their games of the season. Their last win against Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati will give them a lot of confidence heading into this game. Batting has been their strength. The top order comprising skipper Shikhar Dhawan, Prabhsimran Singh, and Bhanuka Rajapaksa have scored runs and are in form. Arshdeep Singh and Nathan Ellis have been impactful with the ball. 

IPL 2023: Top Player Battles to Keep an Eye On in SRH VS PBKS Game:

3) Jitesh Sharma vs Adil Rashid

A batter looking to score quick runs score against a bowler who has the arsenal to trouble any batter of the current generation. Time and time again Jitesh proves that he has the ability to accumulate runs at a great pace.  He would like to continue the attack in the same capacity. Rashid bagged a couple of crucial wickets which will boost his confidence for this game. The England spin wizard will be looking to outfox PBKS’s wicket-keeper batter. Jitesh has the attacking instinct while Rashid has the variations up his sleeves to bag crucial wickets in the middle overs. This will be a crucial battle to watch out for in the game.

2) Harry Brook vs Rahul Chahar

Harry Brook may be going through a lean patch by his own lofty standards, but underestimating England’s batting sensation in a match as big will be a mistake PBKS will not be wanting to make. He will be gunning more than anyone else to get a formidable score. In the two games, Brook was out to leg spinners on both occasions. Punjab has Rahul Chahar in its ranks. Chahar is known for his ability to spin the bowl both ways. The PBKS leggie will be looking to stop Brook from getting to a big score. Brook would be extra cautious against all bowlers but leg spinners can always be tricky to play with, especially when a batter is out of form and also looking to score quick runs.

1) Mayank Agarwal vs Arshdeep Singh

Arshdeep played under Agarwal’s captaincy last season and now this season he will be up against his ex-skipper. Arshdeep has looked the best of all PBKS bowlers. The left-arm seamer has the happy knack of picking big wickets in the powerplay. With the new ball, he will be eyeing the wicket of SRH opener Agarwal. Since making his SRH debut, Mayank has not been the same batter. But he will be required to step up his game as things become more difficult if he fails in the third straight game of the season. Agarwal is a seasoned campaigner and SRH will hope that he comes well in this game but for that, he has to play out Arshdeep. Having faced each other in nets, both players are aware of each other’s strengths and weaknesses.