Kings XI Punjab take on eliminated Gujarat Lions in their quest for playoff chances at IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali.
KXIP have five wins from ten matches this season – the last of those wins coming against RCB. If they win their remaining four matches they should make it to the playoffs. If they lose one of their remaining matches, they could still make it to the playoffs. For that to happen they will need other results to go their way. And then, thereas the incentive for finishing in the top two; so KXIP will ideally want to win all their remaining matches.
The Lions come into the contest with nothing to lose. They are currently reeling at seventh with six points in 11 games. However, with the loss of key foreign players; Brendon McCullum, Andrew Tye, Jason Roy – their task against a determined KXIP team will be a tough one. They will hope to play party poppers and push their points tally into double figures; something that will give their disastrous campaign a silver lining. UAE player Chirag Suri will be making his IPL debut against KXIP as he is the fourth foreigner for Gujarat.
Kings XI Punjab’s Push for Playoffs
Hashim Amla has been their highest run-scorer with 316 runs, which included a century against Mumbai Indians. Martin Guptill, Shaun Marsh, Manan Vohra, Wriddhiman Saha, Axar Patel – all have chipped in from time to time; but they need to be more consistent to lend depth to KXIP batting.
For Kings XI Punjab, the form of their skipper Glenn Maxwell has been a cause of concern. Maxwell, who can single-handedly destroy any bowling attack; has been off-colour, getting under 200 runs in 10 matches. He has an unbeaten 44 asAhis highest score this season.
Pacer Sandeep Sharma’s brilliant three-wicket haul blew away RCB’s top-order to set up the win.AAxar Patel has proved himself with 13 wickets so far in the season. Varun Aaron and Mohit Sharma have come good in the recent matches.
Lions, come into this match on the back of a heart-wrenching loss against Delhi Daredevils.ADespite posting 208-7, the Lions were blown away by Rishabh Pant’s sensational 43-ball 97-run innings and Sanju Samson’s 61.
Skipper Suresh Raina and Dinesh Karthik have done bulk of their scoring for the Lions. With the likes of Ishan Kishan, Aaron Finch, and Dwayne Smith in their line-up; Gujarat have the ability to tear apart even the strongest of the bowling attack.
Head to Head :
Matches – 3
Kings XI Punjab – 2, Gujarat Lions – 1
Probable Lineups :
Kings XI Punjab
Gujarat Lions
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