IPL 2019: Predicting the opening combination for each team

#7 Sunrisers Hyderabad (David Warner and Jonny Bairstow)

David Warner has been a wonderful player for Hyderabad

David Warner has been an integral part of the SRH setup for quite some time now. They missed him badly last season. His return would make them, even more, stronger and powerful than they presently are.

Warner has scored over 3400 runs as an opener with three centuries to his name. He was the main reason why they won the 2016 IPL season. However, they would miss Shikhar Dhawan on the other hand, who would play for the Delhi Capitals this season.

Hence, they need to find someone else to partner the Australian at the top of the order. From the given squad, we understand that they might go for England wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow. He has been in great touch as seen in the recent T20I series against the Windies.

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#6 Kings XI Punjab (KL Rahul and Chris Gayle)

KL Rahul scored 659 runs in the last edition

KL Rahul was phenomenal for the Kings XI Punjab last season. He scored over 650 runs in last year's tournament, finishing as the third highest run-getter.

Rahul has played well even in the recently concluded T20I series against Australia. If he is one of the openers then Chris Gayle will be the one accompanying him at the top. Gayle didn't have a great season in 2018 but has been in a great hitting form for the West Indies against England.

So the KXIP management will be delighted to know that their top order picks itself.