IPL 2020: Match 38: Kings XI Punjab Vs Delhi Capitals: KXIP Predicted XI

Kings XI Punjab seem to have found their straps in IPL 2020 with back to back victories against Royal Challengers Bangalore and Mumbai Indians. Kings XI Punjab fought tooth and nail in both the games and exemplified the spirit that was missing in the last few fixtures. With six points in their kitty, they will look to surge further and make a strong case for playoffs.

Also Read: IPL 2020: Kieron Pollard Delivers An Update On An Unwell Rohit Sharma

They will meet the table-toppers Delhi Capitals in their next fixture, an opponent they lost their first match to via super over. Delhi Capitals would probably be the most challenging team to beat for Kings XI Punjab; however, it seems as if none of the hills could prove steep for an on-song Punjab side. They must remain careful not to get carried away and not letting their guard down.

We take a look at Kings XI Punjab’s predicted eleven ahead of their IPL 2020 game against Delhi Capitals:

KL Rahul (c&wk):

KL Rahul received the man of the match awards in the last two games for his stellar show with the bat. KL Rahul led from the front in both the matches, specifically against Mumbai Indians and their strong bowling attack. The 28-year old’s tally of runs in IPL 2020 has risen to 525 and will once again be crucial against the likes of Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje.

Mayank Agarwal:

With 393 runs from nine matches, Mayank Agarwal is second in the run-getters list in IPL 2020. Mayank Agarwal has been responsible for providing fiery starts to Kings XI Punjab at the top order and his strike rate of 159.10 is the highest amongst the top five run-scorers in the current edition. The right-handed batsman also scored the winning runs against Mumba Indians in the second super over.

Chris Gayle:

Chris Gayle played in the last two matches for Kings XI Punjab and has added a new attacking dimension to their batting line-up. Chris Gayle followed his half-century against Royal Challengers Bangalore with a 21-ball 24 against Mumbai Indians. The Jamaican clubbed a six in the first ball of the second super over to give a massive edge to KXIP.

Nicholas Pooran:

Nicholas Pooran looked in excellent touch against Mumbai Indians, striking a 12-ball 24 with two fours and two sixes. However, Nicholas Pooran became one of Jasprit Bumrah’s three victims in four overs as the southpaw holed out to long leg. Pooran could not trouble the scores either in the first super over, bagging a golden duck.

Glenn Maxwell:

Glenn Maxwell had a highly forgettable encounter as Rahul Chahar took him out for a duck in the second ball he faced. Even after losing Nicholas Pooran, Kings XI Punjab seemed in a position of power; however, Maxwell wicket set them back significantly. Nevertheless, he delivered four economical overs; however, the 32-year old needs some runs under his belt.

Deepak Hooda:

Deepak Hooda came at the fall of Glenn Maxwell and hung around with KL Rahul while also finding periodical boundaries. Deepak Hooda built a partnership of 38 in 24 balls with the skipper followed by 23 with Chris Jordan to push KXIP closer to the game. The addition of Hooda indeed proved to be a blessing for them.

Chris Jordan:

Chris Jordan churned out 13 valuable runs in eight balls towards the end when it looked like Kings XI Punjab will lose their way after KL Rahul’s wicket. Jordan ended up with figures of 3-0-32-1, dismissing Quinton De Kock; however, the England seamer’s brilliance in the second super over stole the show.

Murugan Ashwin:

Murugan Ashwin bowled well against Mumbai Indians; however, could not get a reward for the same. In three overs, Murugan Ashwin conceded 28 runs along with four boundaries and a six. Nevertheless, he is likely to retain his spot.

Ravi Bishnoi:

Ravi Bishnoi delivered only two overs against Mumbai Indians; however, the two were highly impactful. The young leg-spinner bagged the wicket of Krunal Pandya, breaking the partnership between him and Quinton De Kock and leaked only 12 runs. Bishnoi will indeed remember his debut against Delhi Capitals and having dismissed Rishabh Pant.

Mohammed Shami:

Mohammed Shami was the economical bowlers amongst the pacers against Mumbai Indians, ending with an economy rate of 7.50 in four overs and took the scalp of Hardik Pandya. Mohammed Shami went on to bowl six yorkers in a row, defending five runs in an over successfully.

Arshdeep Singh:

Arshdeep Singh pegged back Mumbai Indians’ early on by removing Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan with an outstanding display of swing bowling. Nevertheless, towards the end, the left-arm seamer proved a tad expensive as Kieron Pollard and Nathan Coulter-Nile pounced on his bowling. He ended with figures of 3-0-35-2.

Also Read: IPL 2020: KL Rahul The First Batsman To Aggregate More Than 500 Runs In Three Consecutive Seasons And Highest Run-Getter Since 2018