IPL 2020: Match 18, KXIP vs CSK- KXIP Predicted Playing XI

The 18th match of the Indian Premier League 2020 is all set to be played between Kings XI Punjab and Chennai Super Kings in Dubai on Sunday, October 4. Punjab are not having a dream season even after their best efforts in the ongoing edition.

They have been playing very competitive cricket, but opponents have somehow had the upper hand. After facing three defeats in their four outings, they are set to face the Super Kings, who are also having a terrible season. The opening stand of Punjab, KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal is known for getting a great number of runs for their team.

In fact, they are standing in the top slot in the race for the Orange Cap. They faced a defeat against MI in their last match as the duo of Rahul and Agarwal didn’t live up to the expectations. However, they would probably be walking with better planning against CSK.

Here is the Predicted Playing XI for the Kings XI Punjab forKXIP vs CSK game: 

Openers (Chris Gayle and Mayank Agarwal)

Chris Gayle is known for some explosive hitting over the years and has accelerated the team’s score like a fire. However, he is yet to show up in IPL 2020 season alongside RCB. In the match against CSK, Gayle is most expected to be included.

He was expected to come in at right time and will most likely be seen in Punjab’s eleven in the next match. Mayank Agarwal is the current holder of the Orange Cap with 246 runs in IPL 2020 so far, and this statement suffices what all he has gathered in his bag till now.

He is always known for building a great stand with Rahul and has provided great strength to his team. He is most likely to play in Punjab’s 11 against CSK in the next match.

Middle-order (KL Rahul, Mandeep Singh, Sarfaraz Khan, Nicholas Pooran)

The skipper of Punjab, Rahul, has been leading his team in the best manner possible. He stands next to his teammate in the race for the Orange Cap and has always provided great starts to his team. He is also best in his role of keeping the wickets for his team and will most likely lead Punjab in their next game against CSK.

Mandeep Singh hasn’t played any game in the IPL 2020 season so far and is expected to pitch in for Punjab in their next match. He is likely to replace Karun Nair, who has failed to make a mark in this season. Singh has scored 165 runs in the 12 innings he played in the last season. He can provide some strength in the middle order to his team against CSK in the next match.

Though Khan hasn’t achieved anything worth boasting this season, he is expected to get going in order to provide support to his team. In the last game against MI, he scored a mere seven before becoming James Pattinson’s victim. He might get a chance in playing XI of Punjab against CSK.

Nicholas Pooran has been showing some great form with the bat, and his fieldwork in the last few matches has also invited too much appreciation. Though Punjab struggled in the last match, his 44 off 27 was the bright spot in the team’s batting line up. His cameo also stunned bowlers during the match against Rajasthan. He is most likely to play against CSK in the next match.

All-rounder (Krishnappa Gowtham)

Gowtham hasn’t quite been up to the mark in this IPL. In the last over he bowled to Hardik Pandya and Kieron Pollard during the game against Mumbai Indians (MI), he was taken to the cleaners as he conceded 25 runs.

His cameo in the last game added some contribution to the team’s chase. He also had one dismissal to his credit in the last game and is known for his potentials with both bat and ball. He is most likely to feature in Punjab’s eleven against CSK.

Bowlers (Sheldon Cottrell, Mohammed Shami, Ravi Bishnoi, Mujeeb Ur Rahman)

Cottrell has been getting wickets for his team constantly and is expected to continue doing so in further matches. He picked one wicket in the last match and remained impressive with an economy of 5.00. He is most likely to form of Punjab’s playing XI in the match against Chennai Super Kings.

Mohammed Shami has been equally impressive as he is the leading wicket-taker in the IPL 2020 season right now. He has eight wickets under his belt and has maintained a reasonable economy. He also achieved magical figures of 3/15 in this season of IPL. Keeping in mind all these factors, he is most probably expected to land in Punjab’s playing XI against CSK.

Young spinner Ravi Bishnoi is doing a fine job so far for his team. He has four dismissals to his credit in this season and is expected to gain more experience as he continues to play further. He may come up as the emerging player of the tournament this season. For now, he is likely to play against CSK in Punjab’s next outing.

Afghanistan star spinner, Mujeeb ur Rahman, is expected to replace James Neesham in Punjab’s playing eleven. Neesham is turning out to be a costly affair for Punjab  Mujeeb has been part of 16 IPL matches so far, with 17 wickets to his name.