IPL 2020: KXIP vs SRH Game Plan 1 – Counter the part-timers

The 43rd match of the IPL 2020 tournament between the blockbuster teams, Kings XI Punjab and Sunrisers Hyderabad, could all be about match-ups. Here, we take a look at a key game plan that could play a role in the 43rd game of IPL 2020 – KXIP vs SRH. KXIP vs SRH: Using the weak […]
 
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IPL 2020: KXIP vs SRH Game Plan 1 – Counter the part-timers

The 43rd match of the IPL 2020 tournament between the blockbuster teams, Kings XI Punjab and Sunrisers Hyderabad, could all be about match-ups. Here, we take a look at a key game plan that could play a role in the 43rd game of IPL 2020 – KXIP vs SRH.

KXIP vs SRH: Using the weak links

The trend of the safe approach of batting teams in the middle-overs continues in this edition of the IPL as well.  While the batters look to take time in this phase, the bowling team often tries to sneak in the overs of their weak links. KXIP and SRH have been using Glenn Maxwell and Vijay Shankar defensively in the middle-overs and according to match-ups. 

Maxwell and Shankar have been among the top-10 economical bowlers in the middle-overs. They, despite being part-timers, find themselves in a list of world-class bowlers.

KXIP vs SRH: Don’t allow Glenn Maxwell to breathe easy with the ball 

Across his T20 career, Maxwell has a higher balls bowled per innings ratio than that in IPL 2020 in just two T20 series – in which he bowled in just three innings. Whilst the batting standard of the IPL is very high, KXIP have not been reluctant to use their sixth bowling option. Mind you, Maxwell is a good choice for that role.  

IPL 2020: KXIP vs SRH Game Plan 1 – Counter the part-timers

However, opponents need to be proactive and attack him enough. That will force KXIP to change their plans and also yield quick runs for SRH. And, for SRH’s good, they are capable enough to do so. 

Maxwell’s best time, in IPL 2020, has come in the middle-overs against left-handed batsmen. Not only his economy (5.43) is superb, he has picked up two wickets as well. Against, right-handed batsmen, he has not fared well. Overall, he induces a false shot every 7.18 balls against southpaws while against right-handed batsmen, every 11.67 balls.  

IPL 2020: KXIP vs SRH Game Plan 1 – Counter the part-timers

And, SRH are expected to have just one southpaw – David Warner – in their batting unit. Whilst their right-handed batsmen – Bairstow, Manish, Shankar and Williamson – don’t have a large sample size against off-spinners in the past few seasons of the IPL, they are good players of off-spin. 

Warner has been excellent as well. Although he hasn’t been at his best this season, he averaged over 35 and struck over 135 against off-spinners in every IPL edition since 2016. The sample size of this edition is of mere five balls and doesn’t provide any insight. 

SRH batsmen should adopt an attacking approach against the Aussie as they did in their previous meeting. In his last match against SRH, Maxwell returned with his least economical spell of this edition. 

IPL 2020: KXIP vs SRH Game Plan 1 – Counter the part-timers

KXIP vs SRH: Force the pace against Shankar 

In his three spells in which he has bowled at least two overs this season, Shankar’s economy has been 7.33 or less.

IPL 2020: KXIP vs SRH Game Plan 1 – Counter the part-timers

Shankar has been effective in the middle-overs for SRH. KXIP’s No. 3 and No. 4 batsmen – Chris Gayle and Nicholas Pooran – are skilled enough to whack Shankar; or even their other batters for that matter. Gayle and Pooran, due to their attacking nature against favourable bowling match-ups for them, become more dangerous. 

IPL 2020: KXIP vs SRH Game Plan 1 – Counter the part-timers

 

The sample size of Pooran and Maxwell is not enough but you know can they can hit medium-pacers, even though Maxwell hasn’t been good enough in the IPL. And, not to forget, this also includes ‘quality’ medium-pacers whilst Shankar is a part-time bowler who bowls gentle medium-pace unless the ball swings.

All that KXIP need to ensure is their intent against Shankar as the batting unit is crazy as well as highly skilled.