It was against Delhi Capitals that Kings XI Punjab’s campaign started, and so did the string of heartbreaks. KXIP failed to get over the line after coming so close to a win, something which later turned into a template for them.
Not much has changed since the last time these two teams faced each other. DC have dominated like never before and rest comfortably at the top, whereas Kings XI Punjab, have time and again, lost their way almost at the end.
In the last match, the fortunes of KXIP changed a little as they managed 2 points against the Mumbai Indians. It was only after taking the match into the second super over.
The challenge that DC present is not easy with the kind of form Nortje and Rabada are in. The duo has been spitting fire since the tournament started and there is no stopping them.
The results however, are not a testimony to Punjab playing XI, which looks a more or less settled side, with the only question being the hunt for a finisher. Their openers have been exceptional, Gayle, albeit one-down has been a wonderful addition and Nicolas Pooran’s sixes have taken the IPL by storm. Glenn Maxwell's batting prowess are yet to be seen as the Aussie has not even managed a single six in this season of the league so far.
Delhi are almost through to the playoffs, with 14 points in 10 games, and would now be looking for a top 2 finish to get 2 cracks at reaching the finals. In-spite of the injury concerns, Delhi have surged ahead barring the loss against Mumbai Indians.
Their one worry, which was Shikhar Dhawan’s strike-rates has been resolved as the southpaw has scored a fifty and a hundred in the last two games while being the aggressor in the innings.
The challenge is tough for KXIP, but they would fancy their chances as this is the first time that they have two wins on the trot to back their morale.
Punjab are unlikely to tinker with their combination whereas there are high chances of Rishabh Pant’s return to the squad. If he is indeed fit, it would trigger a couple of changes in the squad with the benching of Alex Carey and Ajinkya Rahane, and his return alongside Shimron Hetmeyer.
Likely 11s:
KXIP: KL Rahul (C,wk), Mayank Agarwal, Chris Gayle, Nicholas Pooran, Glenn Maxwell, Deepak Hooda, Chris Jordan, M Ashwin, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Shami
DC: Prithvi Shaw, Shikhar Dhawan, Shreyas Iyer (C), Shimron Hetmyer, Rishabh Pant (wk), Marcus Stoinis, Axar Patel, R Ashwin, Tushar Deshpande, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje
