IPL: Sunrisers upbeat ahead of clash against struggling Kings XI

IMAGE: Sunrisers Hyderabad players during a practice session. Photograph: PTI.

Back to their winning ways after sucessive victories, a rejuvenated Sunrisers Hyderabad will look to continue their good run when they take on laggards Kings XI Punjab in an IPL T20 clash at the Rajiv Gandhi International stadium on Saturday.

After losing two games in a row, Hyderabad made a quick turnaround in their fortunes by scoring two stupendous wins in their last two matches – against Mumbai Indians (by 7 wickets) and Gujarat Lions (by 10 wickets).

Despite injuries to its key players, including Yuvraj Singh, Ashish Nehra and Kane Williamson, the Hyderabad side has been on a high with the team clicking collectively during the last two matches.

Sunrisers captain and the swashbuckling Australian batsman David Warner has been in great form, having made unbeaten 74 in 48 balls against Gujarat and 90 not out in the contest against Mumbai.

IMAGE: Shikhar Dhawan and other Sunrisers Hyderabad players during a practice session. Photograph: PTI.

One big relief for Sunrisers would be the performance of its other opener Shikhar Dhawan who returned to form with an unbeaten 53 after a poor show in the previous three matches.

The other Sunrisers batsmen, including Moises Henriques, Eoin Morgan and wicket-keeper batsman Naman Ojha, have also been making useful contributions to the side in crucial situations.

Despite the absence of the seasoned Nehra, the Sunrisers bowlers have made an impact to make it difficult for their rivals. Seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar broke the back of Gujarat innings with his four-wicket haul, including the all-important wicket of Gujarat opener Aaron Finch.

The other young bowlers, including Mustafizur Rahman, Barinder Sran, Deepak Hood and Bipul Sharma, have also been impressive and it's not going to be an easy task for the visitors to tame the collective might of the Sunrisers.

IMAGE: Team Kings XI Punjab during warmup. Photograph: BCCI.

With two points from four matches, Kings XI Punjab, on the other hand, is at the bottom of the points table in the competitive tournament.

The KXIP batting has not been very consistent so far with only Manan Vohra putting up decent scores and others falling short of expectations.

Needless to say, the Punjab side needs to pull up its socks and its batsmen, including captain David Miller, Glen Maxwell and Vohra, have to come out with all cylinders blazing to pose any challenge to Hyderabad.

Their bowling attack, comprising Mohit Sharma, Sandeep Sharma, Axar Patel and others, also need to put up an improved performances to restrict Warner and Co.