SRH vs PBKS Betting Tips & Winner Prediction
It's the final regular-season game in this year's Indian Premier League, and I have put together some SRH vs PBKS betting tips to mark the occasion. Find online cricket betting with the best bets in my full match preview below from sure-things to bigger-priced selections.
The first half of the IPL was brimming with promise for both the SRH and the PBKS - each franchise had reasons to be hopeful that this would be the year they would taste glory after excellent starts to the season.
However, both fell away severely towards the campaign's second half, resulting in this game being a dead rubber.
It should be an exciting affair, though - Umran Malik (SRH) and Liam Livingstone (PBKS) have been two of the star performers this season, and I'm looking forward to the possibility of both facing off.
The action gets underway from 7.30 pm (IST) at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday 22nd May. For more IPL betting predictions, keep reading!
SRH vs PBKS Betting Odds
The first of my SRH vs PBKS betting tips is a win for Mayank Agarwal and his charges. I was sweet on the PBKS to have a good run at lifting the IPL, but it wasn't to be.
Nevertheless, I like the look of them here at decent odds. They should get the job done against an out-of-sorts SRH side. Keep reading below for bigger-priced cricket predictions.
Match Winner: PBKS
Toss Winner: PBKS
Third Bet: Kagiso Rabada top wicket-taker for PBKS
SRH vs PBKS Betting: Winner Prediction
I am steadfast in my SRH vs PBKS betting prediction - I think the latter are deserved favourites. But why?
One can't help but look back to the fateful PBKS defeat to the Gujarat Titans back on 8th April as the moment the season began to unwind for Agarwal and his team.
They had won two of their first three games and had the Titans requiring 13 from three balls in their fourth match. A good yorker from Odean Smith should have been a dot ball, but in a moment of madness, the bowler spun around to try and run out Rahul Tewatia, who was backing up. He missed, allowing Tewatia to scramble a single up to the striker's end. The rest is history.
It looks as if those two dropped points could be what costs the PBKS a stint in the playoffs that their enterprising and aggressive tactics probably deserves.
They boast one of the most volatile batting line-ups in the competition, and in Kagiso Rabada, they have a pace-demon at the top of his game.
I think they will have too much for the Sunrisers, who ended a run of five straight defeats with a victory over the Mumbai Indians on Tuesday.
Kagiso Rabada to be PBKS Top Bowler
Kagiso Rabada to be top wicket-taker for the PBKS
The South African is the leading fast-bowling wicket-taker in the IPL, with 22 wickets to his name - one wicket more than today's opposite number Umran Malik.
He hasn't been as economical as he'd have liked - going at 8.36 per over - but his penchant for taking crucial wickets at key moments in the game has left him and his team in good stead throughout IPL 22.
I will back him to be the top wicket-taker for his side as part of my SRH vs PBKS betting tips. He will feel aggrieved that he is not in a position to challenge Yuzvendra Chahal and Wanindu Hasaranga at the top of the Purple Cap rankings, but he can feel pleased with his contribution.
SRH vs PBKS Head to Head
The SRH vs PBKS head to head record is dominated by the former - the Sunrisers have won 13 of their 19 meetings.
Last year the shares were spoiled - but I can see the PBKS narrowing the gap in today's IPL game.
Venue & Weather Forecast
The Wankhede Stadium plays host to the final game of the regular season. The Sunrisers have played here three times so far this campaign, winning only once, while the Kings have also played here three times while only registering one win.
The weather is forecast to be hot - typical for this time of year in India.
SRH Team News
From an injury standpoint, it hasn't been an easy campaign for the Sunrisers - they have been beset by knocks to key players, not least Washington Sundar. The all-rounder split webbing in his bowling hand and has been in and out of the team due to recurring aggravations.
Their world-class players are short on form, too. Against the Mumbai Indians, Kane Williamson came in at six rather than open - a physical admission by the Kiwi and skipper that he has not shown his best form.
There are no new injury concerns for head coach Tom Moody, however.
PBKS Team News
A heartbreaking season for most franchise followers is increasing the pressure on the coach Anil Kumble, who fans believe should answer for his team's poor performances.
Despite the amount of investment in a squad containing multiple world-class stars, PBKS must face another season on the outside, looking in at the IPL's showpiece events.
Will he survive until next season? Only time will tell - but Anil Kumble will fear for his future at PBKS.
There are no new injuries for team management to consider ahead of the final game.
Conclusion
Overall, it's been a season to forget for both franchises, but this represents an opportunity to go out with a bang.
I think the PBKS have the firepower to get the job done. Keep an eye on Liam Livingstone - he's been exceptional all season long and could be a good bet to score 50+ runs. You can back him at 4.60 to score a half-century with Pure Win - the final pick of your SRH vs PBKS betting tips.
