KXIP vs CSK: Live Streaming, Match Preview, Timings, Stats, Pitch Report & more for Dream11 IPL, Match 18

Both teams will be looking to get back to winning ways.

Published - 03 Oct 2020, 21:20 IST | Updated - 03 Oct 2020, 21:20 IST

4 Min Read

The bottom two of the points tally, Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will be up against each other in the 18th fixture of 2020 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2020) on Sunday (October 4) at Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Both the teams have played four matches and lost three out of them, therefore having two points each in their bag.

However, it would be fair to say that the Kings have been better in both bowling and batting than CSK but have been on the receiving end of some heartbreaking losses. KXIP suffered a comprehensive defeat against Mumbai Indians (MI) in their last outing before losing to Delhi Capitals (DC) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) and winning against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).

In their last match, the team could make only 143 runs in response to the target of 191 posted by MI on the board. Punjab were defeated on all the fronts be it batting, bowling or fielding. While Chennai Super Kings, on the other hand, can be seen struggling in their campaign for the 13th edition of the T20 league.

The CSK contingent will be coming in the match after losing three consecutive matches against Rajasthan Royals (RR), Delhi Capitals (DC) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). Most of their players, including skipper MS Dhoni, have looked rusty after a long time away from the cricketing pitch due to the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.

Pitch and conditions

The track at Dubai has given ample support to both batsmen and bowlers. There has been swing on offer at the start of the game, whereas the spinners have got the purchase in the middle overs. As the boundaries are quite long, we haven’t witnessed many high scoring games like Sharjah.

The presence of dew has made the life of bowlers and fielders difficult especially in the second innings, however, the teams are expected to bat after winning the toss.

Playing Combinations for KXIP vs CSK

Chennai Super Kings

Though opening batsman Faf du Plessis looks in good touch and has been scoring runs for his team, his counterpart Shane Watson is yet to shine in the league. Kedar Jadhav and Ambati Rayadu needs to step up to take the responsibility and guide the team towards a respectable total.

Further the inclusion of Dwayne Bravo is expected to provide balance to the bowling department which is laced with Ravindra Jadeja, Piyush Chawla, Sam Curran, and Deepak Chahar.

Probable XI: Shane Watson, Ambati Rayudu, Faf du Plessis, MS Dhoni (C & WK), Sam Curran, Kedar Jadhav, Dwayne Bravo, Ravindra Jadeja, Piyush Chawla, Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar.

Kings XI Punjab

The opening duo of KXIP has been giving inspirational starts to the team, hitting a century each in consecutive games. However, the middle-order has not been promising in the tournament and lacks consistency.

None amongst Glenn Maxwell, Sarfaraz Khan and Karun Nair has steeped up to take the responsibility. Thus, the management can try Chris Gayle instead of Maxwell and Mandeep Singh instead of Karun Nair to strengthen their batting order.

Although the pace combo of Sheldon Cottrell and Mohammed Shami has reaped results for them so far, James Neesham doesn’t seem to fit in the line-up. Thus, we might see Mujeeb Ur Rahman in place of James Neesham, whereas spinners Ravi Bishnoi and Krishnappa Gowtham will pick themselves.

Probable XI: Mayank Agarwal, KL Rahul (C & WK), Nicholas Pooran, Glenn Maxwell/Chris Gayle, Mandeep Singh, James Neesham/Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Sarfaraz Khan, Murugan Ashwin/Krishnappa Gowtham, Mohammed Shami, Sheldon Cottrell, Ravi Bishnoi.