IPL 2018, Match 38, KXIP vs RR: Match preview, head-to-head, pitch report and key stats

Kings XI Punjab will be up against the inaugural IPL champions, Rajasthan Royals, for the 38th match of the season.

Kings XI will be entering this encounter with a hope to end their losing streak. It will prove to be a crucial encounter for Kings XI Punjab as they will look to better their place in the points table. Currently, Kings XI are at the fourth place in the points table.

On the other hand, Rajasthan Royals are languishing at the bottom of the points table. It will be a must-win game for Rajasthan if ever they want to keep their hopes alive for the playoffs.

Kings XI Punjab vs Rajasthan Royals Match 38, Details

Match Date: 6 May 2018, Sunday

Match Timing: 20:00 IST, 14:30 GMT

Match Venue: Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore, India

Expected Crowd Turnout: With a home encounter scheduled for KXIP, it is expected to be a house-full game with a total crowd turnout of 27,500.

Weather

The temperature will hover around 37 degree Celsius. The humidity levels will be as low as 19%. Rain is to stay from the match. Thus, it is expected to be a hot evening in Indore.

Pitch report

With short boundaries on offer, it is expected to be a high-scoring game. The track will assist the batsmen. However, spinners will enjoy the party as the game wears on.

Head-to-head

KXIP 6 - RR 9. RR have a decent edge over KXIP with nine wins in their pack as compared to six wins for the latter. KXIP have a 3-2 win-loss record in Indore.

Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) IPL 2018 Squad

Kings XI Punjab will hope to get back to their winning ways

Lokesh Rahul (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin (c), Mayank Agarwal, Aaron Finch, Yuvraj Singh, Karun Nair, Marcus Stoinis, Axar Patel, Andrew Tye, Mohit Sharma, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Chris Gayle, David Miller, Ankit Rajpoot, Manoj Tiwary, Barinder Sran, Akshdeep Nath, Ben Dwarshuis, Pradeep Sahu, and Manzoor Dar.

Rajasthan Royals (RR) IPL 2018 Squad

RR will hope to keep their hopes alive in the tournament

Ben Stokes, Stuart Binny, Sanju Samson, Jos Buttler (WK), Rahul Tripathi, D Arcy Short, Krishnappa Gowtham, Jofra Archer, Dhawal Kulkarni, Jaydev Unadkat, Ankit Sharma, Anureet Singh, Ish Sodhi, Shreyas Gopal, Prashant Chopra, Sudhesan Midhun, Ben Laughlin, Mahipal Lomror, Aryaman Birla, Jatin Saxena, Dushmantha Chameera, Ajinkya Rahane (C), and Heinrich Klassen.

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All the stats and numbers to look out ahead of the match No. 38 between KXIP and RR:

1 – Ravichandran Ashwin requires one more wicket to surpass Sunil Narine on the list of most IPL wickets. Ashwin will become the seventh highest wicket-taker in the history of IPL.

10 – Chris Gayle needs to hit ten more sixes to become the first ever player in the history of IPL to hit 300 or more sixes.

72 – Chris Gayle requires only 72 runs more to become the only second overseas player in the history of IPL to score 4000 or more runs.