Sunrisers Hyderabad host Kings XI Punjab from 3pm on Sky Sports Cricket
Thursday 26 April 2018 15:26, UK
Here's what's in store in the Indian Premier League today...
Kings XI Punjab will look to extend their winning streak to five matches when they visit Sunrisers Hyderabad, the side they beat by 15 runs in the reverse meeting a week ago as Chris Gayle lashed his sixth IPL hundred. Join us from 3pm on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event.
Swimmingly in Kings XI's case, with their only blip in six matches so far coming against Royal Challengers Bangalore. The men from Mohali beat Delhi Daredevils in their opener and have bounced back from the reverse against RCB by knocking off Chennai Super Kings, Sunrisers, Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi once again.
Gayle starred against CSK, Sunrisers and KKR with 63, 104 not out and an unbeaten 62 respectively but Kings XI won without him on Monday, the Jamaican rested due to a bout of soreness as Ravichandran Ashwin's side defended 143-8 to down the Daredevils at Feroz Shah Kotla.
Sunrisers defended 118 all out on Tuesday - skittling struggling defending champions Mumbai Indians for just 87 at the Wankhede Stadium - to snap their two-game losing streak, Kane Williamson's charges having won their first three fixtures.
Gayle and Williamson from an overseas perspective - the former may have provided more fireworks but the latter has struck three fifties in his six innings and captained exquisitely.
From an Indian point of view, Kings XI skipper Ashwin will by key - he shipped just 19 from his four overs against Delhi - while KL Rahul loves to give the ball a whack at the top of the order for Ashwin's side.
Sunrisers' brilliant bowling display against Mumbai, meanwhile, may have been led by Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan (2-11 from four overs) but headband-wearing seamer Siddarth Kaul picked up three wickets.
With skyscraping Australian paceman Billy Stanlake seeing his IPL campaign ended by a fractured finger, Sunrisers have an overseas spot to fill alongside Williamson, Rashid and Shakib Al Hasan.
Afghanistan all-rounder Mohammad Nabi got the nod against Mumbai but if the Hyderabad franchise want another paceman, Chris Jordan could get a gig, while if they feel the batting needs bolstering, Alex Hales is on hand.
Sky Sports will continue to show every IPL game live, so fans from all over can enjoy the best of Indian cricket.
