IPL 2020: 3 Changes KXIP should make in their playing XI against RCB

IPL 2020 has got off to a flying start with fans already witnessing a super over, a last over nail-biting finish and even a one-sided affair in the first five games so far. The Mohali-based franchise, Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) lost a close encounter in a super over against Delhi Capitals.

In their opening match of this season, KXIP got a decent start with the ball as Mohammed Shami fired up the opposition with his blistering pace taking 3 wickets in his 4 overs at an economy of just 3.8. Even the debutant Ravi Bishnoi did a decent job with the ball with the figures of 1 for 22 in his 4 overs. 

Things were in Punjab’s control up to 17th over as the Capitals managed to score just 100 runs. Marcus Stoinis was batting at 4 0ff 7 balls at the start of 18th over, but he turned things in Delhi’s favor with his mighty innings of 53 off 17 balls which included 30 runs from the final over of the innings bowled by Chris Jordan. Stoinis’ innings consisted of 7 fours and 3 sixes and he scored those runs at a rate of 252.38.

The Capitals finished their innings with 157 on the board. Coming to chase 158, the Punjab batsmen struggled as they stood at 55 for 5 at the half-end of their innings. Although his companions were making queue to the pavilion, Mayank Agrawal continued to score runs and kept his team in the chase. With 13 required off the last over, Mayank scored 12 runs off first 3 balls and got out of the fifth ball with just one run to win. Chris Jordan got out off the final ball and took the match into a super over.

In the super over, Kings XI Punjab scored only 2 runs and lost both their wickets. In return, Delhi batsmen finished the task in just 2 balls giving a kickstart to their campaign this season. KXIP is going to face RCB in their next encounter and their skipper KL Rahul will be looking to register his first win as a captain in IPL.

So, here’s a look at three strategic changes the KXIP could make in their forthcoming clash against RCB: –

1. Chris Gayle in for Nicholas Pooran

Nicholas Pooran, who came from a terrific CPL 2020 scoring 245 runs in 11 matches with one century and 2 50’s, played the last game ahead of his national teammate and the Universal Boss, Chris Gayle. But he failed miserably by scoring a duck, getting out to Ravi Ashwin.

Pooran went to bat in the super over along with his skipper and got bowled off the third ball to Kagiso Rabada’s yorker without opening his account. Chris Gayle, who warmed the bench, will be a good choice to be included in the XI in place of Pooran as the veteran has lots of IPL experience under his belt.

If Gayle is included in the team, he is expected to open the batting with the captain and the last match hero, Mayank will be pushed to no.3 position, which is an important position in any format of the game. With Mayank at no.3 and Glenn Maxwell at no.4 it will become a strong middle order with the likes of Karun Nair and K. Gowtham batting in the lower-order.