Kings XI Punjab have played the least number of games thus far in the IPL and have an opportunity to go level with Sunrisers Hyderabad for the last playoff spot with one extra game in hand if they can beat the Gujarat Lions at Mohali tonight.
Punjab come into the game on the back of a stunning win against Bangalore courtesy of an inspired bowling performance and should take a lot of confidence going into the encounter against Gujarat, a team struggling with results as well as injuries.
In the 47th match of the IPL, Kings XI Punjab take on Gujarat Lions at Mohali. Here is the probable XI for Kings XI tonight.
Openers
Hashim Amla
With a superb hundred in the tournament, the South African opener will play his last match of this season as he and Miller are set to depart to England for an ODI series. Amla has been prolific at the top of the order for Punjab and has been the fulcrum around which the team has batted. He will want to end his season on a high.
Martin Guptill
Sidelined for a large portion of the season, Guptill started off his season with a bang smashing a half-century in a chase against Delhi Daredevils. The Kiwi batsman is a natural limited overs opener but hasn't quite got going in the IPL as of yet. This might be more due to the limited opportunities he has got in the different franchises thus far. Four games on the trot and one might see the Guptill that the world of cricket fears.
Middle Order
Manan Vohra
A long term investment, Manan Vohra joined the Punjab side at the age of 18 and has been a presence in their line-up for the past five years. His performances have, however, been inconsistent thus far although he did nearly take his side single-handedly to victory against the Sunrisers Hyderabad with a knock of 95.
Shaun Marsh
The Australian has been a part of the Punjab ever since the first season and has shown sparks of form right through the season. His IPL performances in the past have earned him a place in the Australian side and although he hasn't quite replicated that every time for his national side, Marsh has looked in sublime touch this season only to give it away after getting to a start. Can he reverse his fortunes against Gujarat?
Wriddhiman Saha
The Indian Test wicket-keeper has had limited opportunities at the top of the order in the 2017 season. Everyone remembers him for the century against Kolkata in the final of the 2014 IPL but he hasn't been able to carry forward that kind of form since then. The top order is too tightly packed this time around for Saha to get too many opportunities. However, if Punjab suffers a collapse at the top, Saha could be a key batsman.
Also read: IPL 2017: 5 Indian pacers who’ve been brilliant this season
All-rounders
Glenn Maxwell
The swashbuckling Australian all-rounder has surprised everyone with his rather mature leadership role in the campaign. Much akin to Virender Sehwag, Maxwell acts on instinct and that has stood him in good stead throughout the IPL campaign. Though he started the season with a bang, the runs have dried up of late but Maxwell has found ways of contributing like his spell against Bangalore the other night with the ball.
Spinners
Axar Patel
In the absence of a genuine all-round spinner, Axar Patel has donned every role that Kings XI needs. From the explosive lower middle-order batsman to the miserly wicket-taking spinner, Patel has been sensational for the franchise. His accurate left arm bowling has troubled most batsman and his batting has improved by leaps and bounds this season. Axar has been amongst the wickets and will be a key bowler against a Gujarat line-up that hates spinners.
Fast bowlers
Sandeep Sharma
The Punjab seamer has impressed with his early movement and swing more than ever before. Getting rid of Chris Gayle, Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers in the same game doesn't quite happen often (It was a first). Sandeep Sharma, after a disappointing start to his 2017 campaign has come back with a roar. In Mohali, the fast bowler could be a handful for the Gujarat batsmen.
Mohit Sharma
Though not quite the Mohit Sharma that the Chennai Super Kings fans loved, Mohit has been decent for Punjab with his back of the hand slower balls and extra bounce. The neglected Indian seamer has been an able ally to Sandeep. However, Punjab would need him to get better at the death, which was once his forte.
Varun Aaron
After a disappointing campaign with the Royal Challengers Bangalore last year, Varun Aaron joined Punjab and has found more game time. His pace has been up as usual and the inconsistency in line hasn't quite been an issue this time around. While an India call-up looks a distant possibility, Aaron has looked good within his limits for Kings XI. In Mohali, where the ball zips around, Aaron would love to get a few wickets.
Thangarasu Natarajan
A TNPL superhero, Natarajan is a specialist death bowler with accurate yorkers and clever change of pace. Used to good effect by Kings XI Punjab, Natarajan has had more than expected opportunities after being purchased for Rs. 3 crore. He is expected to be the fourth seamer for Punjab at Mohali tonight.
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