IPL 10, Match 4, KXIP v RPS: Kings XI Punjab Predicted XI

Kings XI Punjab have had two embarrassing seasons of the the Indian Premier League in the last two years. Prior to that, they were the team to beat in the 2014 edition of the tournament and had made it to the finals. They had given a lot of hopes to their fans especially with their middle-order pair of Glenn Maxwell and David Miller going all guns blazing that season.

In the last two seasons, both these players have largely failed to live up to their reputation and that has cost the dearly. Coming to the 2017 edition, the Kings are set to play their first match of the season against the Rising Pune Supergiant. Considering the form of the RPS, they had similar fortunes to that of KXIP last season. They had finished at the penultimate position of the points table.

Had MS Dhoni not hit 23 runs off the final over off the bowling of Axar Patel in the last league match of the IPL 2016, the Kings XI Punjab could have seen themselves finish at the number 7 position and avoid the wooden spoon in the tournament. Having said that, it is important to know that RPS is a revamped unit now and have won their first game this season. So what combinations do the Kings go out with in the first game? Here is the Kings XI Punjab Predicted XI for the KXIPvRPS encounter:

Hashim Amla

Hashim Amla made his IPL debut last year and was quite impressive during his short stint at the tournament. He is a class act and is a treat to watch when onsong. Amla has not been in the best of the form in the recent times. However his experience at the top order is something that the team will be craving for.

In the 6 matches that he played last year, he mustered 157 runs. He had a top score of 96 and had nearly got past a majestic ton. This year, with the absence of Murali Vijay as the opener, Amla might have to take the bulk of the responsibility.