Nehal Wadhera OUT? PBKS Strongest XI vs SRH- IPL 2026, Match 49

PBKS' strongest XI vs SRH [Source: AFP]

The Punjab Kings will visit the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad, for their upcoming clash against the Sunrisers Hyderabad on May 6, at 7:30 PM (IST).

Having lost two games in a row, this match will be instrumental for the league leaders in gaining the momentum as the competition for the top-4 intensifies in the final third of the league phase.

Currently, they are placed at the top with 13 points in 9 matches; however, 4 other teams are breathing down their neck at 12 points each.

To their respite, they still have a game in hand over three teams at 12 points and a win over SRH would solidify their chances to finish in the Qualifier 1 places.

So, as Shreyas Iyer leads his troops in Hyderabad in their 10th match of the season, we take a look at their best choice playing XI for the match.

PBKS Playing XI vs SRH- IPL 2026, Match 49

Top-Order: Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Priyansh Arya, Cooper Connolly

The power-packed opening pair of wicketkeeper Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya will continue after already stamping their authority in the season, with match-winning performances.

Prabhsimran Singh is sitting on 361 runs in 8 innings so far, with four fifties at 174.39 SR, while Arya has 285 runs with two fifties, striking at 247.82.

The duo will be followed by Cooper Connolly, who has hit the ground running in his debut season so far, with 270 runs in 8 innings at a strike rate of 167.70, including a POTM on debut.

Also Read: Punjab Kings' Coach Roped In The Middle Of IPL 2026 By Australia's Champion Team

Middle-Order and All-rounders: Shreyas Iyer (c), Suryansh Shedge, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen

Captain Shreyas Iyer stays at number 4 after a couple of underwhelming outings in the defeats against RR and GT over the past week.

However, having scored 328 runs in 8 innings with four fifties at 165.65, he is only 57 runs away from the top-5 scorers of the season, with a match in hand. As he takes on SRH, he would like to get back to his best and help the team win again.

Suryansh Shedge scored his maiden IPL fifty in the last innings, ending with 57 off 29 to solidify his place in the playing XI from a precarious situation.

Shashank Singh, who has been out of the last two losses due to a reported hamstring injury, may return to the XI, subject to fitness and bat at 6, considering poor returns from Nehal Wadhera this season (65 runs in 6 innings, average- 10.83, SR- 114.04).

The overseas all-rounder duo of Marcus Stoinis and Marco Jansen will be the final two batters in the top-8.

Stoinis has already shown what he is still capable of with his 62*(22) vs RR and backed it up by another decent 40-run knock, while only bowling 4.5 overs this year, picking 1/54 so far.

Jansen has blown hot and cold with 6 wickets in 8 innings, but remains a crucial cog of this team, considering his brute hitting power and multi-phase bowling.

Bowlers: Xavier Bartlett, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal

Xavier Bartlett is likely to continue as the new ball bowler over Lockie Ferguson, who was very expensive in his only match this season.

Bartlett has picked 5 wickets in 8 innings and has also been on the expensive side, but is likely to continue playing due to his ability to move the new ball up front.

Arshdeep Singh, who is still on the lookout to find his best form this season, will be their lead pacer, having picked 10 wickets in 9 innings, including a brilliant 3/22 at the Wankhede.

The only spinner in the frontline bowling attack will be Yuzvendra Chahal, who has 7 wickets in 8 innings this season. He has the best figures of 3/36 to his name.

Considering the Hyderabad conditions, Vijaykumar Vyshak is a likely option to come in as an impact substitute after picking 8 wickets in 7 innings, including the best of 3/34.

He will contest for the place with Harpreet Brar, who has only played one match, finishing his spell with a brilliant 0/25 (4). The presence of several left-handed batters might discourage the Kings' management to bring Harpreet Brar back into their playing XI.

PBKS playing XI vs SRH- IPL 2026, Match 49: Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Priyansh Arya, Cooper Connolly, Shreyas Iyer (c), Suryansh Shedge, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen, Xavier Bartlett, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal.