Gujarat Lions, led by their skipper Suresh Raina, managed to put aside their string of losses to trump Kolkata Knight Riders on the opposition's home turf two days ago and now face off against Kings XI Punjab, another team struggling to put together a run of victories, at home.
A very successful side in the early years of the Indian Premier League, Kings XI haven't quite been up to the mark in the last two editions of the tournament. However, with a few smart buys at the auction, Punjab started their 2017 season on a positive note before losing their way.
Gujarat, on the other hand, looked short of bowling options in the first few games this season before the inclusion of James Faulkner in the last game helped them regain their balance.
The two sides have played just twice against each other and here we take a look at 5 key moments from the two games between these sides last season.
#5 Dwyane Bravo's four-wicket haul and 300th T20 wicket (Game 3: season 2016)
The West Indian all-rounder was a key figure in the Gujarat Lions line-up last year and put in a scintillating display in his team's first game of the season against Kings XI Punjab. Bravo had Glenn Maxwell and David Miller dismissed within three balls, the latter getting him to a landmark 300 T20 scalps.
He wasn't done though and went on to bamboozle Punjab with his many variations. He dismissed Wriddhiman Saha and Marcus Stoinis off consecutive balls in the final over to end with figures of 4/22.
Bravo was, unfortunately, unavailable for Gujarat thus far but might just be ready when Punjab arrive on Sunday.
#4 Aaron Finch’s fireworks (Game 3: season 2016)
While Gujarat stuck to the Dwyane Smith-Brendon McCullum pair up top for a large portion of last season, Australian opener Aaron Finch started the season as McCullum's partner. Chasing 162 to win in his side's opening game, Finch slammed a 47-ball 74 to take the Lions close to victory.
His knock was highlighted by 12 hits to the fence, few of which were deft touches rather than almighty slogs. The Australian nearly took Gujarat home before falling to Pardeep Sahu. He walked away with the Man of the Match award, though.
Finch has been coming in at No. 4 this season and it hasn't quite worked. Given Dwyane Smith's poor form, a move to the top cannot be ruled out.
#3 Murali Vijay dons the captain’s armband (Game 28: season 2016)
Kings XI Punjab had endured a torrid time at the start of 2016 with David Miller not quite settling into the captaincy. With things going nowhere, a switch in captaincy was suggested to bring about a change in their season. Murali Vijay, the former Chennai Super Kings opener, was handed the leadership role and he delivered with a win.
Vijay played a captain's knock in the second meeting of the 2016 edition between Gujarat Lions and Punjab. He made a half-century to guide his team to 154, a fighting total on the pitch. It turned out to be enough as Gujarat Lions were bowled out 23 runs short.
#2 Shivil Kaushik's triple strike (Game 28: season 2016)
Shivil Kaushik, with an action eerily similar to South African mystery spinner Paul Adams, took the IPL by storm in 2016. His variations and action were confusing for batsmen who had no clue about which way the ball would turn. In the second encounter of the season, Kaushik broke the back of Punjab's middle order.
He had Shaun Marsh and Glenn Maxwell dismissed off consecutive balls to break the momentum of Kings XI's innings. He picked up one more wicket to end with figures of 3/20 in his allotted overs. Despite Murali Vijay's knock, Punjab had to settle for a below par total due to Kaushik's show.
The chinaman, however, has been taken to the cleaners this season and Gujarat have stopped picking him in the starting XI.
#1 Axar Patel's hat-trick (Game 28: season 2016)
Kings XI Punjab did not fare well at the start of 2016 but Axar Patel made rapid strides as a T20 bowler. His quickish skidders were economical and earned crucial breakthroughs for Punjab time and again.
In the second match between the two sides, Patel stunned Gujarat Lions with four wickets in five balls including a hat-trick. He had Dwyane Smith caught in the deep of the third ball of the seventh over. Two balls later Dinesh Karthik was walking back after inside edging Patel onto his stumps.
Bravo followed next ball to place Patel on a hat-trick in his next over. The spinner promptly picked up a wicket of the first ball of his next over, that of Ravindra Jadeja, to complete his hat-trick.
Patel has thus far been Punjab's best bowler this season as well and could be a big weapon against Brendon McCullum and co. on Sunday.
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