Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) will host Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the second match of the double header Sunday at the Dubai International Cricket stadium. It will be a battle between the franchises seated in the bottom two places of the IPL 2020 points table. However, a win can ensure them to keep their hopes alive in the early days of the tournament.
KXIP will bank on their prolific opening pair of KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal to get them off to a good start. Australia all-rounder Glenn Maxwell will be eager to return to the best of his ability while Mohammed Shami will be the key in the bowling department. Let us have a look at how KXIP can shape up for the match.
KL Rahul
KXIP captain KL Rahul is looking in brilliant form and will hope to continue adding to the the purple patch. He was in red-hot form in previous edition of the IPL and will look to continue in similar fashion. It will be a personal test for him as well, which will check if he can absorb the captaincy pressure and score run with his natural ability.
Chris Gayle
Mayank Agarwal
Glenn Maxwell
KXIP will have high hopes from Australia all-rounder Glenn Maxwell, especially after his sensational knock in the final ODI against England. Maxwell stepped in a position when Australia were reeling at 73/5, chasing a total of 303 runs. He played a blistering knock of 108 runs off 90 deliveries and was well supported by wicket-keeper batsman Alex Carey (106) as they forged a match-winning stand of 212 runs for the visitors.
Nicholas Pooran
Nicholas Pooran will hope to put up a much-improved show after being dismissed for a duck in the KXIP innings and Super Over. Pooran can come in handy for KXIP. If he gets going, he can decimate an opposition with his power-hitting. Pooran has scored only 168 runs from six innings in the IPL but it is not a fair reflection of what the batsman is capable of.
Mandeep Singh
Mandeep Singh has been a crucial player in the Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) line-up over the years. He will continue to play a crucial role in the set up. The Punjab batsman has an ability to play quick fire cameos and rotate the strike with ease to maintain a healthy strike rate.
Krishnappa Gowtham
Krishnappa Gowtham will provide the much needed depth in the KXIP batting line-up. The franchise has struggled to bat deep over the years, however, Gowtham can change things around for the side. He was traded from Rajasthan Royals ahead of the season and can prove to be an underdog for the side.
Sheldon Cottrell
Sheldon Cottrell can prove to be handy for the side and find his place ahead of Chris Jordan. Cottrell, who has proved his prowess in international cricket, was bought for INR 8.5 crore in the players’ auction. He will join the likes of Chris Gayle and Nicholas Pooran in the franchise.
Mohammed Shami
Senior India pacer Mohammed Shami will spearhead the fast bowling department for Kings XI Punjab. Shami is fit and raring to go in the IPL 2020. Shami said that the temperature in UAE is much higher than India and thus there are chances of getting dehydrated or cramps.
Murugan Ashwin
Murugan Ashwin will have a much prominent role to play for KXIP after playing under the shadow of Ravichandran Ashwin and Mujeeb ur Rahman in previous edition. KXIP will largely depend on him as the pitches in UAE are on the slower side and expected to assist the spinners.