IPL 2018: KXIP vs SRH- 5 players to watch out for

Riding high on momentum after a hat-trick of wins in the first three games of the season Sunrisers Hyderabad will face a stern test against the formidable KXIP line-up when the two teams clash at the Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali on Thursday.

There is nothing like a win to boost the confidence of a team. On that front, both Hyderabad and Punjab have had a good run. Hyderabad have been the team to beat in the tournament so far. With three wins in three games, they are the only team yet to taste defeat in this year's Indian T20 league. Punjab come in after a thrilling win over Chennai. They have won two and lost one game so far.

As both teams are gearing up to consolidate their position further in the points tally, lets us take look at five players who could help their team doing that:

---

5) Mujeeb Ur Rahman

Muzeeb Ur Rahman

The 17-year-old from Afghanistan cricketer first made headlines when he was snapped-up for a hefty price of Rs 4 Cr. by Kings XI Punjab for the eleventh edition of the Indian Premier League.

He became the youngest player ever to play Indian Premier League when he made his debut for KXIP in their IPL 11 opener against Delhi Daredevils. The wrist-spinner didn't disappoint anyone as he delivered a match-winning spell of 2/28 on his debut. And his delivery to dismiss Virat Kohli is a testimony of his growing stature as a bowler.

The youngster picked up 3 wickets in 3 matches thus far and his economy rate of 6.82 is the best for KXIP in this season.

Given his ability to stem the flow of the runs during the middle overs, KXIP would expect the leggie to put in similar kind of performance today against SRH.

4) Chris Gayle

Chris Gayle

The "Universe Boss" Chris Gayle has announced his arrival to the eleventh edition of the Indian Premier League in style. He scored a swashbuckling 22-ball 50 on his debut for Kings XI Punjab against Chennai Super Kings in Mohali on Sunday.

The Jamaican giant was almost ignored by all franchises in the auctions of IPL 2018 before KXIP stepped in bought him for his base price of INR 2 Crore. The big-hitting left-hander showed the world why should never be ignored with a 33-ball-63 on his arrival.

With Gayle finding his mojo, Ashwin led KXIP would want him to give his team as many runs as he can against the strongest bowling line-up of Hyderabad.

3) Shikhar Dhawan

Shikhar Dhawan

The Indian opener is in the best for his form this season for Hyderabad. He has not let SRH feel the absence of their back-bone David Warner who has been barred from taking part in IPL 2018 for his alleged involvement in the recent ball-tampering scandal.

The southpaw is the leading run scorer SRH with 129 runs in 3 matches at an average of 64.5 and a strike rate of 140.

With their middle order being shaky, SRH will mostly rely on Dhawan and Williamson to score the bulk of the runs. So, the onus will be on Dhawan to score quick and bat through the innings.

2) KL Rahul

KL Rahul

After being roped in by KXIP for a whopping sum of Rs 11 Crore, KL Rahul slammed a fastest fifty of the Indian Premier League by registering a 14-ball fifty against Delhi Daredevils in their season opener at Mohali.

Rahul has been sensational this season with his text-book yet stylish cricketing shots. The Karnataka batsman scored 135 runs in 3 matches with the strike rate of nearly 200 and an average of 45.

With him at his sumptuous best and his partner, the universe boss, back in form, it will be a treat to watch them both bat together against the quality SRH bowling line-up.

1) Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Bhuvneshwar Kumar

The two-time purple cap holder hasn't been at his best this season, though he picked 4 wickets in 2 matches with an impressive economy of 7 for someone who bowls at the death. That shows the value he adds to the team.

But his figures against KXIP were staggering as he picked up 7 wickets in 2 matches with an economy of 5.75 against them in the last season which also includes his career-best figures of 5/19.

Given his exploits and record against the opposition, Bhuvneshwar is expected to provide wickets both at the top of the innings and then bowl economically well in the death overs.