Adda Notes: Hyderabad dominant in head-to-head vs Punjab but Chepauk levels playing field

Two teams struggling to get a stronghold in the 2021 Indian T20 League take on each other as Punjab square off against Hyderabad in the first match of Wednesday’s doubleheader at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

Three games into the league and both Punjab and Hyderabad have struggled for form. Punjab though at least have a win to show while Hyderabad have once again been struck by their middle-order failure. Three defeats in three matches mean David Warner’s men sit at the bottom of the league standings, while Punjab is seventh.

Punjab vs Hyderabad head-to-head record in the Indian T20 League is outrightly dominated by Hyderabad, who have won 11 of their 16 meetings so far. Their form in Chennai though remains a worry. The 2016 champions have played six matches at Chepauk and have lost all of them. Punjab, on the other hand, are only marginally better, winning two of their six matches at the venue.

But Hyderabad has the highest win percentage (68.75%) against Punjab in the Indian T20 League. Although it is Punjab that holds an advantage against Hyderabad at neutral venues. The two teams have played each other thrice at the neutral venues and Punjab have won two of them.

Toss plays a big role at the Chepauk as five times out six, a team batting first has won the match in the ongoing season. Punjab have won three of their last five coin tosses.

Punjab are expected to be heavily reliant on their captain, KL Rahul who has enjoyed successful outings against Hyderabad, scoring 300 runs in eight innings at 30.66. Similarly for Hyderabad, a certain David Warner has been a headache for Punjab as he has scored 906 runs against them in 19 matches at a brilliant average of 53.29.

As far as bowling is concerned, expect Punjab to bank on Mohammed Shami. The Indian pacer did go for 53 runs in his last game, but his record against Hyderabad might take him back on track. He has picked nine wickets in as many matches against Warner’s men.

For Hyderabad, India fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar will be in the spotlight. He has scalped 21 wickets in just 14 innings against Punja. 

The current form will be king when the two teams meet on Wednesday, meaning that Punjab will be the favourites to win the match.

Featured photo: AFP / Noah Seelam