IPL 10, Match 26, KXIP vs GL - Kings XI Punjab Predicted XI

Kings XI Punjab once again find themselves in the middle of a losing streak which has stretched up to four matches now. They have not been able to find a way out of this rut despite making constant changes to their lineup. Skipper Glenn Maxwell along with their coach Virender Sehwag soon need to find the correct combination to bring Kings XI back on track.

They managed to win their first two games quite comprehensively, one against Rising Pune Supergiant and the other against the ever favorites Royal Challengers Bangalore. It is baffling how they have started losing after having such a brilliant start given they had beaten both their opponents very easily.

This weekend Kings XI will face the rejuvenated Gujarat Lions who beat Kolkata Knight Riders last night on the back of a brilliant innings from their captain Suresh Raina. Kings XI, on the other hand, are in desperate need of a victory following their four consecutive losses.

Indian contingent of the Kings XI side has done well so far in the tournament apart from their last game their all Indian bowling line-up was destroyed by Buttler, Rana and Parthiv. What has hurt for them is the overseas lot. Maxwell has been blowing hot and cold so far whereas Miller has not looked comfortable at all in the middle.

Amla’s century in the last match though should come as heartening news for Kings XI fans. It remains to be seen if Amla can produce another superlative knock. Kings XI is currently fifth in the points table and needs to gain some points by winning few matches.

Kings XI need to get their combinations right when they face Lions in their den. Here we take a look at CricTracker’s predicted XI for Kings XI Punjab.

Openers (Hashim Amla, Manan Vohra)

The opening combination for Kings XI looks set to be reunited after Manan Vohra had to sit out of the last game due to sickness. Hashim Amla and Vohra complement each other very well and so far have given decent starts to the team, 62 being the best against RCB.

Amla is an automatic choice after scoring a century in the last game against mighty Mumbai Indians. He has so far scored 234 runs in 6 innings at an alarming strike rate of 141. Amla would love to continue in rich vein of form and prove everyone that his performance with the bat in the last game was not a blip.

Manan Vohra would be gutted with his luck after missing the last match as he was fresh off his amazing innings of 95 against Sunrisers which brought his side within sights of victory. Vohra is one of the consistent players across many seasons now and walks into the team on any given day. He will be itching to get back into the scheme of things and get his side back to winning ways.

Middle Order (Glenn Maxwell, Shaun Marsh, Eoin Morgan and Wriddhiman Saha)

Kings XI have missed a trick in the middle order. They have been chopping and changing a little too much which has not helped the side. So far in six matches, Wriddhiman Saha batted thrice at number 3, Axar Patel, Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis once each.

Maxwell has to come in at the fall of the first wicket irrespective of the situation. His dip in form after the first two matches has been the major worry for Kings XI. Though it is only a matter of time when he gets back in sublime touch. Everyone knows what can happen when the Big Show starts hitting the ball. In this edition, he has scored runs at a strike rate of around 184 and if he comes in with field restrictions on, he could be more dangerous. Being the captain of the side he needs to shoulder more responsibility now.

Shaun Marsh played his first game of the season after warming the bench for first two weeks of the tournament. He looked in good touch and could be the ideal no.4. He paces his innings brilliantly and if needed, he can play the shots from the word go. Also he can consolidate if wickets fall early. Shaun has played some match winning innings for Kings XI in the past and it is time now when the team needs him to click.

Eoin Morgan, the limited-overs English skipper makes up the final middle order slot. He is naturally aggressive and has not been given enough opportunities so far in this IPL. Morgan is an innovative batsman and his ability to score against the best bowlers he can give Punjab the much-needed momentum towards the end of the innings.

Kings XI is blessed to have a proper wicketkeeper like Wriddhiman Saha and his batting is an advantage to his contribution behind the stumps. Very few must have forgotten his innings in the IPL final in 2014 against KKR. The small man can hit big shots whenever required. Unfortunately he has not clicked in the tournament so far as he has been unclear of his role. His batting order has been shuffled too often this season. 

Allrounder (Axar Patel)

Axar Patel has been the unsung hero so far for Punjab. He has been completing his quota of 4 overs without much fuss. Though he has picked up only 6 wickets, he has conceded only 7.31 runs per over. He is also performing with the bat chipping in with some crucial runs, 44 being the best which he scored against Delhi Daredevils albeit in a losing cause. It would be another day out for him where he will need to give his best and also pick some wickets.

Bowlers (Sandeep Sharma, Mohit Sharma, T Natarajan, KC Cariappa)

Bowling line up for Punjab looks much settled with the two Sharma’s, Sandeep and Mohit, taking the responsibility of bowling in powerplay and death overs. Ishant Sharma though, was too expensive in the last match and might be replaced by young left armer T Natarajan. Also the legbreak bowler Cariappa will make way for Swapnil Singh.

Sandeep and Mohit have been very good bowlers for Kings XI and have done exceedingly well for the franchise in last season as well. Sandeep’s ability to swing the ball both ways keeps the batsmen always guessing. More often than not he has provided them with an early breakthrough. In the death overs, the onus is on the other Sharma. Mohit has a beautiful back of the hand slower ball which foxes many batsmen in the final phase of the innings. This season Mohit has not been upto the mark and has been taken to the cleaners. 

Natarajan was dropped after first couple of matches. Overall he had bowled only 4 overs across both the games and conceded under 8 an over and picked up a wicket. He would be effective against Gujarat Lions as he is a left-arm bowler and could trouble the likes of Finch, McCullum, Smith and Karthik who are all right handers. The TNPL star who bowled all six yorkers in a super over deserves a chance to prove his prowess and could be crucial to his team’s chances tomorrow.

Cariappa, the legbreak bowler, has some good variations up his sleeves. This year he has only played in two games and has been in and out of the side. An extended run to him might instill confidence in him and he could do wonders for his side.