PBKS vs SRH, IPL 2026 match preview: Punjab Kings start favourites against faltering Sunrisers Hyderabad | Cricket News - The Times of India
PBKS vs SRH, IPL 2026 match preview: Punjab Kings start favourites against faltering Sunrisers Hyderabad
PBKS vs SRH, IPL 2026 match preview: Punjab Kings start favourites against faltering Sunrisers Hyderabad
wasn’t in a rush at the prematch training session on Friday. He strolled out, glanced around and exchanged a few easy words in Punjabi with the ground staff, the kind of small talk that only comes when a place feels like your own.
The Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Stadium in Mullanpur isn’t quite the PCA Stadium, Mohali, but it’s close enough. Close enough for memory to do the rest.
Rovman Powell reacts after KKR’s heartbreaking home defeat
He spent a few moments near the pitch, bat in hand, almost absent-mindedly tapping it. It didn’t look like overthinking, more like quiet curiosity, trying to understand what the surface might offer or take away. Only after that did he get into his hitting, and when he did, it was clean and unforced.
told a different story. There was nothing subdued about his session. The sound off his bat travelled, sharp and crisp. Head looked like he was rehearsing dominance. Together, the ‘Travishek’ pair offered a glimpse of what Sunrisers Hyderabad can be at their leading — fluent, fearless and overwhelming in phases.
The trouble is that those phases haven’t lasted long enough this IPL season.
For all their firepower, Sunrisers have been curiously brittle at the top. Early wickets have disrupted momentum, leaving the middle order to patch things up more often than build on a platform. Heinrich Klaasen and Nitish Kumar Reddy have provided resistance, but the team has struggled to string together complete performances. Even the bowling, expected to hold things together, has faltered.
Harshal Patel and Jaydev Unadkat are yet to find consistency with the latter coming off a tough outing against Lucknow.
Punjab Kings, in contrast, seem to be settling into a rhythm that feels more sustainable than spectacular. Under
, there’s a sense of direction to their cricket. It’s not always flashy, but it’s effective. Chasing down a 200-plus total against Chennai Super Kings or adapting to a tricky Mullanpur pitch against Gujarat Titans, Punjab have shown they can adjust. More importantly, they’ve done it collectively.
That ethos was evident again in their last outing, even if rain robbed them of a result.
Xavier Bartlett had ripped through Kolkata’s top order before the skies intervened, leaving Punjab to share points rather than claim what looked like a third straight victory.
Inside the dressing room, the messaging has been simple. As wicketkeeper and opening batter Prabhsimran Singh pointed out during an interview recently, individual milestones like getting the Orange Cap or the Purple Cap aren’t driving this side — results are.
It’s reflected in contributions coming from different corners. Cooper Connolly's composed unbeaten 72 against Gujarat, pacer Vijaykumar Vyshak stepping up with the ball when needed.
And then there is the surface at Mullanpur, still something of an unknown. The first game here suggested it won’t be a straightforward batting track. A 160-odd total proved competitive, the pitch offering just enough to keep batters uncertain.
Which team do you think will perform better on the challenging Mullanpur pitch?
On Saturday, it might demand the same again. For Punjab, familiarity could count. For Sunrisers, it may come down to whether Abhishek and Head can turn those promising net sessions into something more substantial. Because on a surface like this, the early overs don’t just set the tone; they shape the entire game.
Hindol Basu is a Principal Correspondent with the The Times of The nation. Over the years, as a sports journalist, Hindol has covered important events like the 2012 London Olympics, 2008 Beijing Olympics, 2010 Commonwealth Games and the 2011 Cricket International Cup. Hindol has had a diverse profile having worked in all forms of media - TV, Radio, New Media and Print. Besides, being an avid blogger, Hindol plays the guitar, writes poetry and is interested in photography.
'Sir, kal se cricket khel sakte hain?': What Vaibhav asked docs after being hit on the helmet
Mukul Choudhary: 36 sixes in an innings, 500 km bus rides, a MS Dhoni dream
'Dear Vaibhav...: Virat Kohli’s heartwarming message for Sooryavanshi
PBKS vs SRH, preview: Punjab start favourites against faltering Sunrisers Hyderabad
IPL match today, CSK vs DC: Predicted playing XI, head-to-head, pitch review, Chennai weather latest
Bumrah or Hazlewood, doesn't matter: Sooryavanshi says 'play the ball, not bowler'
'You were Usain Bolt?': Zaheer recalls fiery exchange with Ponting in 2010 Mohali Test
Drama in PSL over Usman Tariq's action: Batter walks away vs Pak spinner - Watch
IPL match today, PBKS vs SRH: Predicted playing XI, head-to-head, pitch account, New Chandigarh weather development
US-Israel-Iran War Ceasefire News Live Updates: Donald Trump speaks to Netanyahu, asks Israel to pull back on Lebanon strikes
Gold, Silver Rate Today Live Updates: Gold prices rise in international markets; where are the headed in near-term?
TGBIE TS Inter Result 2026 Date & TIme Live Updates: TSBIE to announce 1st, 2nd year results soon for over 9 lakh students
4.5 magnitude earthquake jolts Maharashtra's Hingoli; no casualties
TSBIE Results: TS Inter 1st and 2nd year scores on April 12 at tgbie.cgg.gov.in; check detials here
Bumrah or Hazlewood, doesn't matter: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi remarks 'play the ball, not bowler'
Drama in PSL over Usman Tariq's action: Batter walks away twice vs Pakistan spinner - Watch
PCB, PSL under fire after ex-Pakistan captain Misbah ul Haq's role comes to light
IPL 2026: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi blitz scripts history, powers Rajasthan Royals to...
Kash Patel to head CIA, Vivek Ramaswamy homeland security? What a Trump 2.0 Cabinet may look like
From Prayer To Panic: Final Moments Before Mathura Boat Tragedy Emerges, Rescue Operations Continue
"Behen Darr Gayi!": Fans relive ‘Bhagam Bhag’ era after watching Akshay Kumar's 'Bhooth Bangla' trailer
MBOSE HSLC result 2026 to release tomorrow: Check details here
Iran war risk: JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon warns of oil shocks, sticky inflation and higher interest rates
Make your clutch last longer with these easy driving tips
“Three-against-one situation”: El Rubius opens up on being “targeted” in MrBeast’s viral $1M challenge
Bihar BTSC lab assistant notification released for 1091 posts at btsc.bihar.gov.in; apply here
IPL craze costs techie Rs 1.46 lakh in fake RCB vs CSK ticket scam
Raising “robot-proof” kids: Why creativity and curiosity matter more than ever
Inside ‘Satguru Sharan’: Exploring Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan’s Rs 100 crore Bandra home
How selling Alaska in 1867 was a costly mistake for Russia
'Hera Pheri 3 is coming': Paresh Rawal dismisses delay reports and reveals he will 'start shooting soon'
US-Iran War: A daring rescue Hollywood blockbuster is on its way. Till then, pick your favourite from these 10 films on bringing someone home against all odds
Kolkata team unveils fan mural at Rash Behari Avenue, celebrating city’s first love
How US spread a lie to rescue a pilot of a jet shot down in Iran
Netflix unveils ‘VOID’, an AI model that can change a movie plot
AI data centers are causing 'stress' not just to tech companies, but also private insurers
"Trans women are.....": Clavicular’s viral moment with trans women sparks fresh conversation on internet culture
Copyright © 2026 Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. All rights reserved. For reprint rights: Times Syndication Service
