IPL 10, Match 36, KXIP v DD – Kings XI Punjab Predicted XI

At a time where they would have liked to start climbing up the ladder, Kings XI Punjab is slipping down the points table. Punjab haven’t had the best of seasons but they do have a considerable amount of time in hand to qualify for the playoffs. They still have six league games to play and they need to win at least 4 out of them to be in the reckoning.

Kings XI lost to Sunrisers Hyderabad in the last game, where they played at Mohali for the first time this season. They will again play at their official home ground and will host Delhi Daredevils this time. Both teams have had similar results so far and can’t afford to slip further as the tournament has reached the business end.

Against DD, they had to make a couple of forced changes in the XI, the most notable one was of Amla, who was out with a hamstring niggle. Mohali is known to be helpful for the seamers but the Punjab quicks were thwarted around for runs in the last game. Let us have a look at the players who are most likely to be in the XI for Punjab tomorrow:

Openers (Hashim Amla and Martin Guptill)

Hashim Amla is in the middle of an outstanding season this year. He is topping the batting charts for his team with 299 runs in 7 innings at an average of 59.80. The most surprising aspect about the South African this year has been his strike rate – 145.85. He is hitting the ball well and giving Punjab the right starts at the top of the innings.

Amla missed Punjab’s last game due to a minor injury which gave the opportunity to Guptill to showcase his talents. The Kiwi got off to a flyer though he couldn’t really kick on. But his 11-ball 23 gave the impression of the kind of form he is in. Punjab are likely to retain him for this game against DD. Manan Vohra who hasn’t been consistent will make way for Guptill this time.

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

Punjab need to strengthen their batting as their bowling is decent. Shaun Marsh’s 84 was the only bright spot for the otherwise miserable batting performance in the middle overs. The left-hander has looked good since playing his first game this year and has 140 runs to his name in 3 games. The No. 4 slot belongs to skipper Maxwell. Though he is having a relatively quiet tournament, he can turn his campaign around with a couple of innings.

Saha hasn’t really fired for the Kings XI this year. He was in good touch in the lead up to the tournament but has lost his rhythm in the IPL as he has failed to register a single score in excess of 30 thus far. He is a quality player and can quickly turn it around with a cameo or two. The Indian Test wicket-keeper, though, has been brilliant behind the stumps.

All-Rounders (Gurkeerat Singh Mann and Axar Patel)

Gurkeerat has played just one game this year but did not get an opportunity to bat in that game. He can be a good option at 6 and can even turn his arm over with his off-spins whenever required. Axar has 8 wickets in 8 games at an economy rate of less than 8.

Those are decent numbers but Punjab expects more from him. He has been a tad expensive in this tournament from his standards. His batting has been good but he needs to better his season average of 19.71 because he is a better player than that.

Bowlers (Sandeep Singh, Varun Aaron, Mohit Sharma and KC Cariappa)

Sandeep Sharma has been good for Punjab over the years especially with the new ball. This year too he has done a reasonable job but has conceded far too many runs as his season’s economy rate of 9.30 reflects. This might be the reason for his axing in the last game but Ishant’s performance doesn’t warrant him another game which will bring Sandeep back in the team.

Varun Aaron’s pace can be used on the Mohali wicket. He will go for runs but will always be a wicker-taking bowler. Mohit Sharma has the experience to bowl in the middle and death overs. Cariappa will partner Axar in the spin department. Kings’ bowlers must forget the last game as soon as possible and start afresh in this game against Delhi Daredevils.