New Delhi: The mid-table clash between Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) will see defending champions visiting one of their favourite whipping boys at Mohali.
In the nine matches played so far in this Indian Premier League (IPL) fixture, the Hyderabad-based franchise has won seven times, including that epic first-leg match last week wherein Bhuvneshwar Kumar's brilliant five-for trumped an unequivocal effort of 95 off 50 balls from Manan Vohra.
Both the players will feature heavily in the second-leg today at the PCA IS Bindra Stadium, Mohali. But the match-up between the third placed SRH and fifth-placed KXIP will also witness hosts of talents.
Here are four players who will play pivotal roles in their respective team's fortunes today:
Bhuvneshwar Kumar (SRH): The 27-year-old from Bulandshahr has emerged as one of the living icons of IPL thanks to his sheer tenacity and will power. He's a class act when in comes to world's premier T20 league, and for the second season in row, the right-arm pacer has managed to dictate terms with his swing and nippy pace.
If SRH are to have any realistic chance of making defending the title, then he has to make a telling contribution. So far, it's good on both the personal and team fronts. He has got 16 wickets from seven matches to lead the wicket-taker's pack, while the team is well placed for a play-off spot. But they just can't wavered.
David Warner (SRH): The Aussie batsman from Paddington has emerged as one of the undisputed leaders of men in the cash-rich IPL. His virtuous approach to the sport and also the ability to lead his men to any battlefield with example has paid rich dividends for the outfit.
And once again, he will need to take the charge as the campaign enters mid-season where dreams are forged in reality. With 282 runs from seven outings, the 30-year-old opener has done well on personal front, but the team seemed to have hit a roadblock losing to Rising Pune Supergiant, then sharing the spoils with Royal Challengers Bangalore in a rain-induced stalemate.
Hashim Amla (KXIP): He is not your typical T20 batsman. It's still an overwhelming verdict when it comes to describing his batting, still. But the 2017 edition of IPL has witnessed a different beast in Amla. He has scored 299 runs in seven innings to be one of the leading scorers. His form will be crucial to the King's campaign as Glenn Maxwell's outfit needs a constant performer.
In fact, his unbeaten 104 not out against Mumbai Indians is only the second hundred this season, after that Sanju Samson effort for Delhi Daredevils against Rising Pune Supergiant. And today, the Kings will hope that 34-year-old star from Durban turns up for good. They need a win, desperately.
Axar Patel (KXIP): The bowling all-rounder from Gujarat is one of the underrated cricketers in the IPL. He is a class act. He can bowl, bat and field. And more often than not, the 23-year-old finds success in his stride. He has featured in the all seven matches for the Kings, and will once again, enter the field with lots of expectations.
He has taken eight wickets and scored 122 runs. His all-round performance in the last match, against the Gujarat Lions, helped the team to put an stop at their losing run. In the match, he scored a quickfire 34 runs then took two wickets to set-up the match. He will be one to look out for today.
