IPL 2020: Irfan Pathan predicts KXIP to make three changes vs SRH; the franchise obliges by making two

KL Rahul-led Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) have had a woeful run so far in the on-going IPL 2020. Despite having many prolific players like Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Mohammed Shami and Ravi Bishnoi, the Punjab franchise has somehow slipped to the bottom place in the points table.

KXIP, after suffering four defeats in five matches, have been struggling to achieve a perfect Playing XI. Their latest defeat came against Chennai Super Kings on Sunday where the MS Dhoni-led destructed KXIP by stitching a record opening partnership.

Two experienced CSK openers– Shane Watson and Faf du Plessis– amassed 181-run partnership to thump KXIP by 10 wickets. Following KXIP’s defeat, former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan had suggested them to make three changes to their line-up.

Irfan had proposed names of Arshdeep Singh, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Deepak Hooda to bolster KXIP’s Playing XI. Surprisingly, the Punjab side braced the field against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on Thursday with two of those three changes.

Good two changes by KXIP: Irfan Pathan

After the toss, skipper Rahul revealed that Prabhsimran, Arshdeep and Mujeeb have been given a chance instead of Jordan, Brar and Sarfaraz. A fan on Twitter heaped praise on Irfan’s prediction.

“@IrfanPathan predicted KXIP to make three changes – Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Deepak Hooda and Arshdeep Singh for today’s game and the side made two out of those three changes. Top-class prediction Irfan,” he wrote. Irfan also responded by saying, “Good two changes by @lionsdenkxip. Arshdeep is a good bowler. Still think there is a place for Hooda.”

Good two changes by @lionsdenkxip Arshdeep is good bowler.Still think there is a place for Hooda

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) October 8, 2020

Arshdeep had played three matches for KXIP in the 2019 season and was retained by the franchise ahead of the 2020 IPL auction. The lanky left-arm pacer would be hoping to leave his mark on his IPL 2020 debut.

Mujeeb, hailing from Afghanistan, will also be hoping to deliver on UAE tracks. The youngster had hogged the headlines in his first season with the franchise in 2018, where he had picked 14 wickets in 11 matches at under 7 runs an over.

Talking about Hooda, fans will be expecting to see him break into the Playing XI if Sarfaraz Khan fails to deliver with his willow. Hooda, in 61 IPL games, has amassed 524 runs including a half-century. He can emerge as a handy bowling option too with his off-spinners.