SRH vs PBKS Prediction: Openers should shine for Sunrisers

Sunrisers Hyderabad host Punjab Kings in Wednesday's IPL clash at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad (starts 3pm). Punjab, last season's runners-up, won their first six completed matches this term, but their sprint towards the play-offs has stalled after recent defeats to Rajasthan Royals and Gujarat Titans.

The Sunrisers' five-match winning streak ended on Sunday, when they were bowled out for 165 in a seven-wicket home defeat to Kolkata Knight Riders. They failed to defend a target of 220 in April's away fixture against the Kings and are aiming to avenge that six-wicket loss on Wednesday. 

SRH vs PBKS Odds

Sunrisers Hyderabad have won four of their last five IPL meetings with Punjab Kings and they are 1/1 to beat the 4/5 Kings on Wednesday.

Punjab captain Shreyas Iyer struck a match-winning 69 not out off 33 balls in April's home win over Hyderabad and he is 5/6 to score over 29.5 runs in the return fixture.

Sunrisers star Heinrich Klaasen is 5/6 to make over 27.5 runs – something he has managed in nine of his 10 IPL innings this season.

Team News

Sunrisers Hyderabad all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy faces a fitness test after missing the weekend defeat to Kolkata due to illness.

Captain Pat Cummins, who was unavailable for last month's away fixture against Punjab Kings, should lead the pace-bowling attack.

Punjab Kings are expected to be missing middle-order batter Shashank Singh (hamstring), although his replacement Suryansh Shedge top-scored with 57 against Gujarat on Sunday.

Sunrisers Hyderabad to have highest opening partnership @ 4/5

Sunrisers Hyderabad and Punjab Kings have two of the most formidable batting units in the IPL, but both suffered disappointing results at the weekend.

The Sunrisers were dismissed for 165 in Sunday's seven-wicket defeat to Kolkata, while Punjab stumbled to 163-9 in a four-wicket loss to Gujarat.

Opener Travis Head continued his resurgence for the Sunrisers with 61 from just 28 balls against KKR, but Punjab lost two wickets in the first three balls of their innings against the Titans.

Head and opening partner Abhishek Sharma should be backed to post a higher partnership than their Punjab counterparts Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh.

The Sunrisers' top two shared stands of 75, 97, seven, 129 and 44 in their last five matches and they put on 120 in just 8.1 overs in last month's away defeat to Punjab.

Marcus Stoinis to be Punjab Kings top batter @ 9/1

Punjab's top order crumbled against Gujarat on Sunday and Australian all-rounder Marcus Stoinis looks a big price to pick up the pieces if they lose early wickets again.

Stoinis has had limited batting opportunities this season, but he seized his chance in the Kings' last two matches.

He top-scored with an unbeaten 62 from just 22 deliveries in last week's high-scoring defeat to Rajasthan and made 40 against Gujarat on Sunday, facing more balls than any of his teammates.

Stoinis has scored 150 runs from 79 balls this season and is worth backing to lead the Punjab charge in Hyderabad.

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