Hyderabad, Punjab Kings look to end season on a high

MUMBAI: Their play-off hopes dashed, both Sunrisers Hyderabad and Punjab Kings will be keen to end their IPL season on a winning note when the two teams clash in a dead rubber here on Sunday.

Both teams were knocked out of the play-off race when Royal Challengers Bangalore defeated table-topper Gujarat Titans on Thursday.

The Sunrisers will be without the services of its skipper Kane Williamson, who has returned to New Zealand for the birth of his second child.

In his absence, either Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who has led the side previously, or Nicholas Pooran are likely to captain the Sunrisers in its last game this season.

While Sunrisers managed to snap its five-match losing streak by eking out a narrow three-run win over Mumbai Indians, Punjab succumbed to a 17-run loss to Delhi Capitals. The fact that Mayank Agarwal and Co. could not win two games in a row sums up their inconsistent run all season.

High on spirits after thrashing Bangalore by 54 runs, Punjab suffered an inexplicable batting collapse in its must-win against Delhi.

The Punjab bating unit has been plagued by inconsistencies and will need to fire in unison to build or defend a huge total.

If not for the star batters -- Jonny Baitsow and Liam Livingstone, Shikhar Dhawan -- Punjab has reliable Jitesh Sharma, one of the finds of this IPL, to finish the match or take it to a good total.

On the bowling front, lead pacer Kagiso Rabada (22) continues to be the highest wicket taker among fast bowlers this season. The South African has bowled at an average of 16.72 with an economy of 8.36.

Arshdeep Singh (10) has impressed many with his ability to land yorkers at will and has done especially well in the death overs.

The Sunrisers, on the other hand, won five back-to-back matches and looked on course for a top 2 finish but injuries to its frontline bowlers Washington Sundar and T Natarajan deflated its campaign as it slumped to a five-match losing streak. Skipper Williamson’s wretched form didn’t help its cause either.

On the bowling front, pace sensation Umran Malik, who enjoyed a good outing in the previous game, is likely to keep the speed gun radar busy.

Sunrisers also found star Afghan bowler in the form of medium pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi, who did a tremendous job in the previous game.

Both Bhuvneshwar and Farooqi will be eyeing another good outing, while Natarajan will have to forget the hammering by Tim David and find a way to nail his yorkers again.