IPL 2018: Match 38, Kings XI Punjab vs Rajasthan Royals - Match Prediction

Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) will look to return to winning ways when they meet Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the 38^th match of Vivo Indian Premier League (IPL) 11.

KXIP have played some impressive cricket over the past four weeks. However, they lost their previous encounter against the Mumbai Indians (MI) in a bid to surprise them. They employed a couple of changes as Ravichandran Ashwin wanted to put them off guard.

The opening duo of Chris Gayle and KL Rahul has been sensational, to say the least. Even in the previous encounter against the Mumbai Indians, the duo got off to a steady start. Gayle smashed yet another half-century.

However, it took 40 balls for his knock. Axar Patel was hardly used as a bowler in the previous clash. The ploy to use Marcus Stoinis in the death didn’t quite turn out well for them.

Ashwin has been bowling well all through the tournament but hasn’t been at his usual wicket-taking best. His captaincy has been found wanting at times. He has looked for way too many changes which haven’t really worked in their favour.

Ankit Rajpoot, who has been the standout Punjab bowler in the season looked off-colour in the previous clash.

However, Punjab will be hopeful of the fact that he makes a strong comeback which will keep their bowling line-up in good shape.

On the other hand, Rajasthan will be eyeing a comeback and will look to avoid a hat-trick of losses. They haven’t been consistent enough which has brought about their downfall on numerous occasions.

Pertinently, the batting-friendly wicket at the Holkar Stadium in Indore might turn out to be the much-needed tonic which they need ahead of the clash.

The form of the two most expensive players in the auction, Ben Stokes and Jaydev Unadkat has been a huge concern. Stokes hasn’t found his feet in the tournament so far neither with the bat nor with the ball.

On the other side, Unadkat too has been wayward at times and has failed to impress like the way he did for the Rising Pune Supergiant in the previous season.

Meanwhile, Stokes hasn’t been influential in the middle order. With the ball, he has bagged just a solitary wicket in the tournament so far.

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The inclusion of Jofra Archer after a long injury layoff has proved to be quite beneficial for the franchise. He has bowled some terrific yorkers and has been the perfect foil as the death bowler.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler returned to form with a  brilliant knock while opening the batting. He kept smashing sixes at will against the Delhi Daredevils (DD) and raced off to 66 of just 21 deliveries before his dismissal. Rajasthan needs to start winning if they want to revive their campaign.

Team Combinations –

Kings XI Punjab:

Yuvraj Singh made a comeback in the previous clash but failed to make an impact. He might make way for Manoj Tiwary who has also been in and out of the side.

Meanwhile, Axar Patel might also make way for a pacer given the left-hand heavy batting line-up of Rajasthan.

Predicted XI:  KL Rahul (wk), Chris Gayle, Mayank Agarwal, Karun Nair, Manoj Tiwary, Marcus Stoinis, R Ashwin (c), Axar Patel/Barinder Sran, Andrew Tye, Ankit Rajpoot, Mujeeb ur Rahman.

Rajasthan Royals:

They might persist with Jos Buttler at the top of the order along with D’Arcy Short. It proved rich dividends in the previous clash as the duo shared a quickfire partnership.

The rest of the playing XI will hardly change.

Predicted XI: Ajinkya Rahane (c), D’Arcy Short, Sanju Samson, Jos Buttler (wk), Ben Stokes, Rahul Tripathi, K Gowtham, Jofra Archer, Shreyas Gopal, Jaydev Unadkat, Dhawal Kulkarni.

Match Prediction:

It will almost be a do or die clash for Rajasthan. On the other side, Punjab will also look to revive their campaign which has fallen of the track a bit.

Both teams are staring at a hat-trick of losses. My prediction is Rajasthan.

Also, the visitors have a pretty superior record against Kings XI Punjab and have won nine and lost just six against them all through the tournament.

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