IPL 2018, Match 12: Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) predicted XI to face Chennai Super Kings (CSK)

The perennial under-performers of the IPL, KXIP, have tried to plug the holes that have derailed their journey in the past, and have managed to assemble a potent squad with a strong Indian core. The franchise got off to a rollicking start to the Vivo IPL 2018 as Ashwin's side thumped the Delhi Daredevils by six wickets.

They were going pretty well against the RCB as well before a rampaging Umesh Yadav scalped three wickets in an over to derail the momentum of their innings, from which they could never recover.

On Sunday night, the Kings return to Mohali where they host the Chennai Super Kings, and it is expected to be a high voltage clash.

Here's a look at the Probable XI that KXIP can field against CSK at Mohali:

#1 Mayank Agarwal

Agarwal has not exactly set the stage on fire in the IPL thus far

The wonder boy of the 2017/18 Indian domestic season, Mayank Agarwal, will open the batting with KL Rahul. With 1160 runs in the Ranji Trophy, 723 runs in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and over 250 runs in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament at a strike rate of 144.94, it's fair to say that Agarwal is in the form of his life.

While Mayank has still not set the stage on fire in the IPL, he'd be looking to convert his brisk cameos into a substantial innings against CSK on Sunday night.

#2 KL Rahul (Wicket-Keeper)

Rahul lit up the IPL with the tournament's fastest fifty

At No. 2 will be Indian and now former RCB batsman Lokesh Rahul. One of the few batsmen to hit a century in all three formats of the game, Rahul, when in form, is a delight to watch.

Rahul lit up the tournament with the fastest IPL fifty (50 off 13 balls) and helped set up a comfortable 6 wicket win for KXIP. Rahul was at it again against the RCB as he stroked a sublime 47 off just 30 balls, and KXIP would be hoping the opener continues his rich vein of form.

#3 Aaron Finch

Finch got a first-ball duck in the previous game

In at No.3 will be Aussie limited-overs specialist Aaron Finch. After missing out on the first game due to his wedding, Finch got a first ball duck in the last game against the RCB when he was trapped LBW by a rampaging Umesh Yadav.

Finch is a crucial part of the KXIP middle-order and he'd be looking to stamp his authority on the tournament as soon as possible.

#4 Karun Nair

Nair made an important 50 in the first match

Coming in at No. 4 is the second triple centurion in the history of Indian Test cricket, Karun Nair.

Nair has been in scintillating form this winter, especially in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 trophy where he accumulated 379 runs (third on the list of top run-getters in the tournament) in nine matches at a strike rate of 173.8. He continued with a pristine fifty to guide his team over the line against DD. He was looking good in the second game too against the RCB (29 off 26 balls) before losing his stumps to Khejroliya.

#5 Yuvraj Singh

Yuvi has been in indifferent form

At No. 5 will be the Prince of Punjab, Yuvraj Singh. A stalwart of the limited-overs format, Yuvraj returns to his home franchise in some indifferent form.

Yuvraj looked out of touch in the first game, as he scratched his way to a 22-ball 12 and then got out for 4 in the previous game, leaving serious question marks on his place in the side.

#6 Marcus Stoinis

The potential X-Factor

If you ask yourself who can be the potential X-Factor for KXIP in the 2018 season, one name that instantly comes to mind is Australia's all-rounder Marcus Stoinis.

Stoinis shot to fame when he pulverized the Kiwi attack into submission with a breathtaking 146 at Auckland. His blitz earned him an IPL contract with the Kings XI Punjab.

Stoinis scored a breezy 22 off 15 balls but did not particularly have a good outing against RCB. The match against CSK offers a good chance for Stoinis to showcase his pedigree as a genuine all-rounder.

#7 Ravi Ashwin (Captain)

Ashwin bowled a decisive spell against RCB last night

One of the few things that I was looking forward to in this IPL was how Ravichandran Ashwin fared in his captaincy debut and the vile off-spinner performed well. Ashwin's field placements and tactics on the field were immaculate.

Ashwin bowled a game-changing spell in the last match when he scalped two wickets in as many balls, thus breaking the back of the Royal Challengers batting.

#8 Axar Patel

The only player to be retained by KXIP

The only player to be retained by the KXIP this year, Axar Patel will accompany Ashwin in the spin bowling department.

An orthodox left-arm spinner who thrives on choking the run flow with his variations, Axar has taken 58 wickets in 59 matches at an average of 26.67 and will play a key part in KXIP's plans this year. Patel was particularly expensive in the first match but came back well in the second with an economical spell of 1-25 in 4 overs.

#9 Mujib Ur Rahman

The 17-year-old impressed one and all

The 17-year-old Mujib ur Rahman became the youngest cricketer to debut in the IPL in KXIP's tournament opener.

The mystery spinner, with a plethora of variations at his disposal, added another feather to his cap by bamboozling Virat Kohli, a wicket he is sure to remember for a long, long time.

#10 Mohit Sharma

Sharma picked up 2 wickets against DD

While Punjab have done remarkably well at the auctions to assemble an all-around squad, there are a few chinks in their armor which are difficult to overlook. The most prominent of them is the lack of depth in the fast bowling department.

Sharma was very expensive in the first two matches, and as a senior bowler, will need to step up for his side in the next match.

#11 Andrew Tye

Tye has made a sensational turnaround in his career

A match-winning performance (5-46 vs England) and a paycheck of $1.4 million (AU) in the IPL auctions, it was a pretty surreal day for Australian fast-bowler Andrew Tye.

While Tye did not have a good start to the tournament (0-38 in 4 overs), the tall fast-bowler put up a good show against RCB, giving away just 27 runs for 1 wicket.