IPL 2020: Match 31, RCB vs KXIP - KXIP Predicted playing XI

The 31st match of the Indian Premier League will get underway between Kings XI Punjab and Royal Challengers Bangalore. KXIP have been trying their level best to find back their rhythm in the contest, but have been failing all this while. They have won only one out of their seven matches played, and that is why they are languishing at the bottom of the points table. KL Rahul and his men will try hard to make things respectable for them in near future.

In their next contest, they are set to face RCB, who are already walking in style by having won their five out of seven matches. If KXIP doesn’t come up with a winning combination, it will be too difficult for them to face in-form Bangalore. As per the status of their players, many possible changes can be seen in their squad. Let’s see how they will turn up.

Predicted Playing XI of KXIP:

Openers (Mayank Agarwal and Chris Gayle)

It has been seen a lot that KXIP stay dependent on their openers to have a great start, and if the amazing duo of Mayank Agarwal and KL Rahul failed, the entire batting order collapsed. With KXIP finding their winning ways hard, Agarwal will try his best to give Punjab a great start. He has been doing excellent for his side so far.

Fans have been desperately waiting for Universe Boss, Chris Gayle, to show up for his side. As per reports, he has recovered from all sorts of health issues and will help his side in the best manner in this game. Punjab is expected to walk the field with its explosive batter.

Middle-Order (KL Rahul, Nicholas Pooran, Deepak Hooda, Simran Singh)

The young skipper, Rahul,  has tried his best to get his team over the line but has been failing somehow. The fact that he is the current holder of Orange Cap speaks a lot about his journey so far. He will lead his team from the front with new hope and attitude in the next game.

Pooran has been playing some outstanding knocks in the last few games and tried his level best to push KXIP. He will be seen providing some middle-order strength to his team in the next game. He is also best when it comes to flaunting his class on the field and behind the stumps.

The young batsman, Deepak Hooda, is yet to show up with Punjab for his first match in IPL 2020. Though he appeared in 11 matches last year, he didn’t get anything impressive under his belt. He might come as a surprise package for KXIP in this match.

Simran Singh is the new man for Punjab in their middle-order set up for the last two matches now. He is yet to make a mark in this year’s journey and might be trusted again for one more time in their next contest against RCB.

Bowlers (Mohammed Shami, Hardus Viljoen, Mujeeb-Ur-Rahman, Arshdeep Singh, and Ravi Bishnoi)

Shami has been one consistent man for Punjab so far. His pace attack is expected to give success to the team regularly, and he has been successful in doing so. In the last match against KKR, he maintained a fine economy and picked one wicket too. He will walk hand in hand with his team in their next clash.

The South African man, Viljoen, kicked off his journey in IPL in 2019 only, and he scalped seven wickets in his six games. He might be given chance with KXIP in the next match if they like to experiment with their bowling combinations and replace Sheldon Cottrell.

The Afghan star spinner, Rahman, warmed the bench for KXIP in their first five outings. He has been showing up with his team during the last two games and has gone without a wicket, along with being costly. However, he might be given chance again owing to his international exposure.

Arshdeep Singh remained the most economical one from KXIP’s bowling unit along with young Ravi Bishnoi and picked one wicket too. He can be taken up in the next match seeing his current form and would be expected to give Punjab regular breakthroughs.

Young spinner Ravi Bishnoi is giving every bit of his effort to push Punjab to its best, and he has turned out to be phenomenal. He remained too economical for his team and gave outstanding performance against SRH too. He is much likely to come as an ‘emerging player of the tournament.’