IPL 2024: 3 key battles for PBKS-SRH match today

Punjab Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad are set to take on each other in the 23rd match of the ongoing Indian Premier League 2024. Both teams play this match at the Maharaja Yadvendra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur. It is the new home ground for the Punjab Kings in the current season of the Indian Premier League.

With said that, here we’ll have a look at the top three player battles to watch out for in this upcoming clash between the Punjab Kings and the Sunrisers Hyderabad. Alongside that, we’ll also discuss the recent form of these players in the IPL 2024.

Here are the key battles for the PBKS-SRH match today:

Heinrich Klaasen (SRH) vs Kagiso Rabada (PBKS)

The blistering SRH batter Heinrich Klaasen has been in sensational form with the bat in the ongoing Indian Premier League 2024. He has scored 177 runs in 4 innings of the 4 matches he has played so far, with 2 not-outs and an amazing average of 88.50, hitting 2 half-centuries.

Klaasen might face a tough fight from the PBKS’ strike pacer Kagiso Rabada, who has scalped 6 wickets in 4 innings of the 4 matches he has appeared for his side in IPL 2024, including a best performance of 2/23. Rabada might trouble Klaasen if the latter gets exposed to bat in the first 10 overs of the SRH innings.

Abhishek Sharma (SRH) vs Harpreet Brar (PBKS)

The young top-order batter Abhishek Sharma is one of the star performers for the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the ongoing IPL 2024. He has scored 161 runs in 4 innings of the 4 matches so far, with an average of 40.25, hitting a half-century which was also the fastest half-century for SRH in the history of IPL.

However, to neutralize the fear of Abhishek Sharma, Punjab Kings might introduce their star spinner Harpreet Brar into the attack; Brar has been the most economical bowler for the Kings in the current season of the tournament, with an economy rate of just 5.69, scalping 4 wickets in the 4 innings.

Jonny Bairstow (PBKS) vs Bhuvneshwar Kumar (SRH)

The star England batter is there as an opener with the Punjab Kings in the current IPL season; he also stitched a 100-run partnership with skipper Shikhar Dhawan against the Lucknow Super Giants. Bairstow is one of the major concerns for the opponent's disregard for his current form and any stats.

However, Bairstow might be troubled by the veteran SRH pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the powerplay overs; the latter can make it tough for the English batter with his swing and variations in the initial phase of the innings.