Kings XI Punjab hosts the Royal Challengers Bangalore at the IS Bindra Stadium, Mohali and for both the teams lying at the bottom end of the table, this tie is of utmost importance for their chances of making the playoffs. Kings XI have looked like they have got their campaign back on track under the leadership of Murali Vijay, winning 2 out their 3 games under their new captain.
Today’s Confirmed Playing XI
Kings XI Punjab (Playing XI): Murali Vijay(c), Marcus Stoinis, Hashim Amla, Wriddhiman Saha(w), David Miller, Farhaan Behardien, Axar Patel, Anureet Singh, Mohit Sharma, Sandeep Sharma, KC Cariappa
Royal Challengers Bangalore (Playing XI): Virat Kohli(c), Lokesh Rahul(w), AB de Villiers, Shane Watson, Travis Head, Sachin Baby, Stuart Binny, Chris Jordan, Iqbal Abdulla, Varun Aaron, Yuzvendra Chahal
Royal Challengers have been very inconsistent this season, managing just only 3 wins this season. Both Kings XI and Royal Challengers are on 6 points, the Kings having played a game more.
The 16 point mark is often the minimum that the teams need to qualify for the playoffs and given the situation the Kings are in, they will need to pick up maximum points from the remaining 5 games to keep their hopes alive. The situation is equally grim for the Royal Challengers Bangalore and they need to win at least 5 out their remaining 6 games.
Every game is a must-win game for the Kings XI now and they just can’t afford to lose against Bangalore if they are to stay alive in the IPL this season. Bangalore, coming into this tie on the back of a great victory against the Rising Pune Supergiants will look to continue with their winning ways. Punjab too pulled off a convincing victory over the Daredevils in their last encounter and wouldn’t want to lose their winning touch.
A crunch tie for both the teams, let’s see how they could possibly line up for this game.
Kings XI Punjab
Batsmen: Murali Vijay is likely to be partnered by Marcus Stoinis to open the batting for Punjab. Stoinis scored a brilliant half-century against the Daredevils and has been successful at Mohali with the bat and will look to continue with his good form. Vijay has been amongst the runs for Punjab and the Kings fan will bank upon their openers to provide them a solid start.
Hashim Amla was unlucky to be run out on his debut for the Kings XI and the South African roped in to replace the injured Shaun Marsh will look to impress with the bat and is likely to play and bat at number 3. Glen Maxwell and David Miller have been explosive for Punjab in bits and pieces and the fans will hope for a big innings from these two hard-hitting batsmen.
Wridhhiman Saha, who keeps wickets for India in Test Matches, is no novice with the bat and had scored a brilliant 50 against Delhi. Gurkeerat Mann Singh is likely to play to provide stability to the lower middle order of Punjab.
All-Rounders: Axar Patel has been an integral part of the Kings XI since 2014 and the left-arm spinner and batsman have picked up 8 wickets this season with the ball in hand, and towards the end of the innings Axar has been very good scoring quick runs with some meaty blows. Stoinis is equally good with the ball in hand as he is with the bat. He has picked up 4 wickets in 4 games and was impressive with his slow bouncers in the death overs against Delhi. Maxwell too can used as a part time bowler.
Bowlers: Mohit and Sandeep Sharma will lead the bowling attack for Punjab and both have been spectacular at the death overs. They have been hard to put away especially towards the end with their variations and inch perfect Yorkers. Both have been very economical and share among them 18 wickets. KC Cariappa, the mystery spinner from Karnataka was in the playing 11 against Delhi and picked up his only wicket this season and is likely to retain his place.
Probable Playing 11: Murali Vijay (C), Marcus Stoinis, Hashim Amla, Glen Maxwell, David Miller, Wridhhiman Saha (wk), Axar Patel, Gurkeerat Mann Singh, KC Cariappa, Mohit Sharma, Sandeep Sharma.
CLICK NEXT TO SEE THE RCB LINE-UP
Royal Challengers Bangalore
Batsmen: If we look at the Bangalore batting line-up, we can say it is possibly the best in the IPL. Lokesh Rahul and Virat Kohli is likely to continue to open the batting for Bangalore. While Rahul has been contributing with the bat, Kohli has been in blistering form this season and has already scored two tons. The second of which came in the last game against the Rising Pune Supergiants.
AB de Villiers is likely to come in at number 3 and the South African has looked a bit out of touch. But, we all know what he can do if he gets going. Travis Head, the southpaw from Australia had been in great form in the Big Bash and will look to replicate his form in the IPL. Sachin Baby, captain of Kerala in the Vijay Hazare Trophy has been a hit this season with his hard hitting and is likely to continue.
All-Rounders: Shane Watson playing for the first time in the Bangalore outfit has been indispensable for them. He has already picked up 12 wickets and whenever he has had the opportunity with the bat, the Aussie hasn’t let down. Stuart Binny, like Watson, had been a part of the Rajasthan Royals, who have been suspended, and is turning out for the Royal Challengers for the first time. He has been playing part roles with both bat and ball for Bangalore and is likely to be a part of the playing 11.
Bowling: The bowling unit of Bangalore has been their Achilles heel this season. Chris Jordan made his debut for the Royal Challengers last game and Virat Kohli will hope the Englishman will provide some solidarity to his bowling unit. Varun Aaron is likely to continue and Sreenath Arvind might replace Parveez Rasool, given the nature of the Mohali pitch which helps the pacers. Yuzvendra Chahal, the leggie is likely to be the only spin option Bangalore will opt for.
Probable Playing 11: Virat Kohli (C), KL Rahul (wk), AB de Villiers, Travis Head, Shane Watson, Sachin Baby, Stuart Binny, Chris Jordan, Sreenath Arvind, Varun Aaron, Yuzvendra Chahal
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