IPL 2017: Kings XI Punjab v Gujarat Lions, Game 47 – Match Result Predictions

The Kings XI Punjab find themselves in a tricky yet challenging situation from wherein they will have to come up with a perfect show to stay alive in the competition. They have to win their remaining four games to ensure that they qualify for the playoffs. The Kings have won their last two games in fine fashion which puts them in a position from where they can fancy their chances.

All their key players have been peaking at the right time and hence the team looks favorite to topple their opposition at Mohali on the Super Sunday. They will be taking on the Gujarat Lions in their upcoming fixture. Considering the poor run that the Lions have had in the recent past, the Kings would want to continue their winning momentum. Lions lost their last match against the Delhi Daredevils and are low on confidence.

Moreover, they are no longer in the race for the playoffs this season unless something drastic happens in the other fixtures. This, on the flip side, can be a good thing for them. Gujarat Lions have nothing to lose in the match and hence would go out all guns blazing keeping their pride at stake. Keeping this in mind, the Kings will be wary of the fact that they will have to put their best combinations forward.

Here is what Crictracker predicts for the game:                   

Scenario 1: KXIP will win the toss

Toss Prediction: KXIP will choose to bowl

First innings prediction: 170-175

2nd innings Prediction: KXIP will win by 6 wickets with 1 over to spare.  

Scenario 2: GL will win the toss

Toss Prediction: GL will choose to bowl

First innings Prediction: 160-175

2nd innings Prediction: GL will win by 4 wickets with 3 balls to spare.

Head to Head Record

Overall: Total Matches – 3, KXIP Won – 2, GL Won – 1

The Kings XI Punjab and Gujarat Lions have faced off in the tournament history on 3 occasions. Prior to the commencement of the season, both teams were equally balanced with a win to their names in the two matches that they had played last year. This year, when the two teams faced off at Rajkot earlier this season, the Kings had stunned the Lions at their den by 26 runs. Considering their head to head clashes at Mohali, the Gujarat Lions have the upper hand. The only win that they have registered against this opposition was at the very same venue at Mohali.

Team Combinations:

Kings XI Punjab

Coming into this game, the Kings will be very high on confidence as they have won their last two matches very comfortably. Considering the kind of complete performances the team has come up with against Delhi Daredevils and Royal Challengers Bangalore, it is unlikely that they will tinker with the winning combinations. Only the middle order looks fragile at the moment. Wriddhiman Saha and Glenn Maxwell have been short of runs and they need to come up with better performances in this game.

Predicted XI:  Martin Guptill, Hashim Amla, Manan Vohra, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell(c), Wriddhiman Saha(w), Axar Patel, Mohit Sharma, Varun Aaron, Sandeep Sharma, T Natarajan.

Gujarat Lions

The Gujarat Lions have been dented severely with injuries. More importantly, all their player exits have been in the overseas department. They had lost the services of Dwayne Bravo and Andrew Tye earlier in the season. Star batsman Brendon McCullum became the latest to join the list as he has been ruled out of the remainder of the tournament due to a hamstring injury.

Jason Roy is unavailable for selection as he is on national duty. Considering this scenario, the Lions might try the UAE batsman Chirag Suri in this game. Ishan Kishan might get back to the opening slot to replace McCullum. Barring this, the squad is likely to remain the same for the match.

Predicted XI: Ishan Kishan, Chirag Suri, Suresh Raina(c), Aaron Finch, Dwayne Smith, Dinesh Karthik(w), Ravindra Jadeja, James Faulkner, Pradeep Sangwan, Basil Thampi, Ankit Soni.

Given KXIP’s terrific run in the recent past, they will definitely start favorites but you can never rule out a strong showing by the Lions given they nothing to lose at this stage of the tournament.

Do let us know your predictions in the comments section below.