Fantasy Pick: Back Bairstow and Rabada
Fantasy suggestions for the IPL match between Punjab Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad
Rahul Maniraja
21-May-2022
May 22: Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Punjab Kings, 70th Match, Wankhede Stadium
Safe XI: Jonny Bairstow (capt), Jitesh Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Abhishek Sharma, Priyam Garg, Liam Livingstone, Aiden Markram, Umran Malik, Kagiso Rabada (vice-capt), T Natarajan, Rahul Chahar.
Captain: Jonny Bairstow
Bairstow, as an IPL opener, has scored 1122 runs in 30 games at an average of 41.55 and a strike rate of 146.28. In this season, 158 of his 230 runs have come in powerplay at a strike rate of 173.62, with just three dismissals in that phase. The last time he played at Wankhede Stadium, he scored a 40-ball 56 against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Vice-captain: Kagiso Rabada
The South African pacer has taken 22 wickets in 12 games so far, having gone wicketless only once this season. At Wankhede Stadium, he has never gone wicketless in his nine T20s, having picked up 14 wickets. Against Sunrisers, he has been effective, taking 15 wickets in nine games.
Hot Picks
Abhishek Sharma: The 21-year-old Sunrisers opener is having his breakthrough season, scoring 383 runs in 13 games. He has also scored the most runs for an Indian batter in powerplay this season - 230 runs at a strike rate of 125. He boasts a strike rate of 164.77 against spin, compared to his strike rate of 119 against pacers.
Abhishek Sharma: The 21-year-old Sunrisers opener is having his breakthrough season, scoring 383 runs in 13 games. He has also scored the most runs for an Indian batter in powerplay this season - 230 runs at a strike rate of 125. He boasts a strike rate of 164.77 against spin, compared to his strike rate of 119 against pacers.
Umran Malik: One of the contenders to win the emerging player of the season award, Umran Malik has been having a dream season, picking up 21 wickets in 13 games. He has particularly done well in middle overs - 18 wickets, the most by a pacer. Second-placed Harshal Patel has taken ten wickets in that phase.
Differential Picks
Jitesh Sharma: Jitesh's hitting has looked effortless and he has been a valuable addition to Kings. He has scored 215 runs in nine innings at a strike rate of 158.08 this season. In the four innings he has played at this venue, he has hit 138 runs at a strike rate of 148.39.
Jitesh Sharma: Jitesh's hitting has looked effortless and he has been a valuable addition to Kings. He has scored 215 runs in nine innings at a strike rate of 158.08 this season. In the four innings he has played at this venue, he has hit 138 runs at a strike rate of 148.39.
Rahul Chahar: The legspinner has taken 14 wickets in 13 games this season at an economy of 7.71. In his last two outings against Sunrisers, he had figures of 2 for 28 and 3 for 9. With the pitches getting slower and helping spinners, expect him to come good on Sunday.
High Risk XI: Nicholas Pooran, Jonny Bairstow, Rahul Tripathi, Abhishek Sharma (capt), Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Liam Livingstone, Aiden Markram, Washington Sundar, Umran Malik (vice-capt), Kagiso Rabada, Arshdeep Singh.