The finalists of the last two Indian Premier League (IPL) seasons, the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Punjab Kings (PBKS), face off as the IPL 2026 Playoffs race intensifies. The two sides are virtually in, but tough matches await. Moreover, both would like to finish in the top two and punch that Qualifier 1 ticket.
SRH vs PBKS: Match Details
- Match Number: 49
- Date & Time: Wednesday, May 6, 7:30 PM IST
- Venue: Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad
- Live Streaming: JioHotstar app & website
- TV Broadcast: Star Sports Network
High scoring pitch expected
We aren’t seeing the usual flat surfaces in Hyderabad this season. Except for one flat track offered, teams have had trouble scoring after the 10th over. Now, the pitch used for the SRH vs PBKS match is the one where the Sunrisers scored 242 and where India scored 297 against Bangladesh. However, one must remember that the surfaces tend to tire and slow down at the end of every IPL season. Still, we are probably in a high-scoring game.
No injury troubles
Shashank Singh, who didn’t play the last 2 matches for PBKS, is expected to be available. Punjab didn’t reveal the nature of his injury, but it looks like he’s fit now. As for SRH, Nitish Kumar Reddy, who missed the last game, is also fit. SRH head coach Daniel Vettori has confirmed that the all-rounder is feeling better.
“It looks like Shashank will run around and do everything today. That’s our only concern from a fitness point of view, we’ve got all our squad available now. And Shashank will have his last hit out today, and hopefully that goes exactly how we think it will go,” said assistant coach Brad Haddin on the eve of the match.
SRH vs PBKS: Head-to-head in IPL
- Matches Played: 25
- Won (SRH): 18 (9 in Hyderabad)
- Won (PBKS): 8 (1 in Hyderabad)
SRH vs PBKS Match Prediction: Who will win today’s IPL match?
The high-scoring nature of the pitch will favour both teams. Prabhsimran Singh, Shreyas Iyer, Priyansh Arya, and Marcus Stoinis are in great nick. PBKS chased the highest-ever total in T20 history earlier in the season against Delhi Capitals. So, SRH aren’t likely to outbat them.
The game then shifts to bowling, aka match-up. Arshdeep Singh hasn’t been in the best of form, but he’s got a great record against Travis Head, Ishan Kishan, and Heinrich Klaasen. He’s got the Aussie 4 times and the other two 3 times each. Yuzvendra Chahal has also troubled Kishan; he too has fallen 3 times to the leg-spinner. But the biggest match-up could be Harshal Patel vs Shreyas. The PBKS captain has been dismissed by the fast bowler 3 times in 19 balls.
- Prediction: PBKS to beat SRH (bowlers more accustomed and successful in high-scoring matches)
SRH vs PBKS: Predicted Playing XIs
Sunrisers Hyderabad: Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head✈️, Ishan Kishan (wk), Heinrich Klaasen✈️, Salil Arora, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Aniket Verma, Pat Cummins (c)✈️, Harsh Dubey, Harshal Patel, Eshan Malinga✈️. Impact Sub: Sakib Hussain
Punjab Kings: Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Priyansh Arya, Cooper Connolly✈️, Shreyas Iyer (c), Marcus Stoinis✈️, Suryansh Shedge, Shashank Singh, Marco Jansen✈️, Xavier Bartlett✈️, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal. Impact Sub: Vijaykumar Vyshak
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