Daijiworld Media Network

Pune, May 11: Welcome to the match between Punjab and Hyderabad in what will be a very important match for both teams. A win for Hyderabad will put them in a better position for the knock-out stages while a win for Punjab might make the mid-table scramble a lot more interesting. It was raining in the afternoon. However, the rain has stopped and play will start on time.

Punjab have won the toss and elected to field.

Cameron White is leading Hyderabad.

White: 'The selection committee and the coach decided it. The pitch is hard and there could be some moisture. We have spoken about the low scores and we have to get the balance right between bat and ball. We have played some good games and we have spoken to the guys. We have to see out the new ball as the pitch will help the bowlers. We have been inconsistent but we have been a difficult side to beat if we get it right. Samantray replaces Ashish Reddy and I replace Sangakkara. Reddy has a broken finger.'

Gilchrist: 'We have to win all four games and we are clear about it. It is a bit of deja-vu and we have to play better cricket. Against Rajasthan, we played some patches of good cricket and some sloppy cricket. The pitch has been under cover and there will be some moisture. We will bowl first. We played on a similar pitch last year against Pune and knocked them over for under 100. Sandeep Sharma is in the side.'

Teams:

Punjab (Playing XI): Adam Gilchrist(w/c), Mandeep Singh, Shaun Marsh, Luke Pomersbach, David Miller, Rajagopal Sathish, Piyush Chawla, Praveen Kumar, Harmeet Singh, Parvinder Awana, Sandeep Sharma

Hyderabad (Playing XI): Parthiv Patel(w), Shikhar Dhawan, Hanuma Vihari, Cameron White(c), Thisara Perera, Darren Sammy, Biplab Samantray, Karan Sharma, Amit Mishra, Dale Steyn, Ishant Sharma

Match Preview:

It is the clash of the two surprise elements in this edition of the tournament. Punjab's inconsistency has been their biggest bane but they have managed to stay afloat in this competition. Hyderabad have been strong at home but it has been a struggle for them outside. A win for either team gives them a chance to come closer to the knock-out stages of the tournament.

Punjab:

Team News: Like last year, Punjab have fought till the bitter end but have not managed to cross the line. After losing a couple of close games, they spectacularly turned the tide against Bangalore thanks to a monumental knock from David Miller. However, after crashing back down to earth against Rajasthan, the team has more questions than answers. With the team consisting of few big names, Punjab will be looking to win their remaining games and hope that other results go their way as well.

In-form player: Shaun Marsh continues to have a good time for Punjab in this tournament. Since returning from injury, he has featured in four matches for Punjab and has scored two half-centuries. Although both those knocks came in losing causes, Marsh's presence at the top gives the team plenty of stability. His attacking prowess and clean hitting make him a valuable asset. Punjab will be hoping that he continues his rich vein of form against a Hyderabad attack that possesses the likes of Dale Steyn and Amit Mishra.

Hit: David Miller is fast becoming an excellent finisher who can carry the team over the line. He has been compared to Eoin Morgan minus the innovative shots. He has hit three fifties but he will be forever remembered as the player who scored the third fastest century in the Indian T20 League. His knock against Bangalore was a visual treat and his presence is a vital cog for Punjab in the lower middle order.

Misses: David Hussey's inconsistency, combined with the poor form of Adam Gilchrist, has put a huge strain in Punjab's batting. Hussey has failed to convert a good start into a big score. In 12 matches, he has scored just 235 runs at an average of 23.5 and this has caused a huge void in Punjab's middle order. Gilchrist's paltry average of 15.11 has also not helped the team's cause. Punjab will have to overcome their batting woes if they have to put up a serious challenge to teams in this tournament.

Previous Results: Lost to Rajasthan by 8 wickets, Won against Bangalore by 6 wickets, Lost to Chennai by 15 runs.

Hyderabad:

Team News: Before the start of the tournament, no one gave Hyderabad a serious chance. However, this team has taken everybody by surprise and have put on a fabulous show. However, their heavy loss to Chennai in their previous game may have deflated their confidence but they have shown an ability to bounce back quickly. A win against Punjab will put them in a better position for a place in the knock-out stages.

In-form players: The success of the Hyderabad team in this competition has revolved around two players: Dale Steyn and Amit Mishra. Steyn has shown yet again that he is the best in the world with a stellar show in this edition. He has picked up 12 wickets at an awesome economy rate of 5.79. Mishra, on the other hand, continues to have a great Indian T20 League with 17 wickets at an average of 17.29. The good form of these two players make Hyderabad a formidable unit and the team will be hoping that it continues in the same vein.

Hits: Thisara Perera has been the Talisman for the Hyderabad team. His accurate medium-pace bowling combined with power hitting at the death make him a formidable all-rounder. Perera's ability to clear the ropes is an asset for the team and that is reflected in his strike-rate which is a formidable 151. The arrival of Shikhar Dhawan at the top has given a much-needed boost to their batting. In five matches, he has scored a couple of blazing fifties. At an average of 53.6, Dhawan has the ability to tear any attack apart but Hyderabad will benefit even more if he registers big scores on a consistent basis.

Misses: Kumar Sangakkara has had a torrid time with the bat in this edition of the tournament. Averaging a paltry 13.3 after nine matches, Sangakkara has been a liability in a team where the batting is a major concern. With Hyderabad in contention for a knock-out spot, the captain will have to lead from the front and contribute with the bat. The local players in the batting order like Akshath Reddy and Ashish Reddy have not contributed in a big way and this has been their Achilles Heel.

Previous Results: Lost to Chennai by 77 runs, Won against Delhi by 6 wickets, Won against Mumbai by 7 wickets.