IPL 6: Match 67 - KXIP vs DD - Kings XI Punjab Preview

Kings XI Punjab will be hoping to stay afloat in this year’s IPL as they prepare themselves for a face-off against a sorry DD side today at HPCA Stadium, Dharamshala. KXIP have to win all their remaining games to give themselves any chance of qualifying for the play-offs. However, the momentum will be with the Punjab side after their fascinating win over RCB in their last game. Veterans Adam Gilchrist and Azhar Mahmood stood up to the occasion and took their side over the line, successfully chasing 175 in that match. On the other hand, DD are coming into this game from a yet another humiliating defeat against CSK. KXIP are currently holding the sixth spot, while DD are languishing in eight place on the table.

KXIP’s batting certainly looked ominous in the last game, if not in the whole tournament. Skipper Adam Gilchrist brought back memories of his heydays, as he scored a match-winning 85*. The gamble of promoting Azhar Mahmood up the order paid off nicely as well. David Miller’s ability with the bat is known to everyone now. Shaun Marsh hasn’t performed up to expectations, but is certainly capable of scoring some quick runs at the top. However, Indian talents like M Vohra, R Satish and Mandeep Singh need to pull up their socks a little bit in the future games.

The bowling has been good for them in bits and pieces so far. Parvinder Awana went for runs in the last game, but managed to pick up three useful wickets. Azhar Mahmood has been brilliant in controlling the flow of runs at the top, and at the death as well. The likes of Piyush Chawla and Manpreet Gony have been disappointing so far. Sandeep Sharma also failed to impress in the last game, going for nine runs per over. Praveen Kumar has been very good this season, and might play today if declared fit.

Conditions:

This will be the first IPL match to be played at Dharamshala this year, and how the pitch will behave is a mystery. However, considering the matches played here earlier, it is likely to be good for batting. The pitch is also likely to provide some pace, bounce and carry for the pacers as well.

Key Players:

David Miller - He has been crucial to most of the Punjab wins so far. He needs to come up with his best performance today in order to give his side any chance of staying alive in the tournament.

Azhar Mahmood- The former Pakistani all-rounder has come up with some match-winning performances, both with the bat and ball. His contribution will be crucial today as well, especially on a pitch that assists both batsmen and fast bowlers.

Head to head:

The win/loss ratio slightly favours KXIP, who have won 6 out of the 11 games played between the two teams so far. DD have managed to win 5 out of them.

KXIP’s strategy:

On a pitch which is unknown to both the teams, they should look to bowl first upon winning the toss. KXIP have been doing well chasing, and the pitch is unlikely to change in the second innings as well.

Possible XI:

After their convincing win in the last game against RCB, they are likely to field an unchanged side today. However, Manpreet Gony’s expensive spell in the last game might prompt the team management to sit him out today. Praveen Kumar might play if he is fit to go.

Shaun Marsh, Adam Gilchrist(c/wk), Mandeep Singh, David Miller, Azhar Mahmood, Gurkeerat Singh/R Satish, M Vohra, Manpreet Gony/Harmeet Singh, Piyush Chawla, Praveen Kumar/Sandeep Sharma and Parvinder Awana.