On the back of a terrific bowling performance, the Kings XI Punjab just about managed to keep their campaign of 2017 alive with a resounding victory over Kolkata Knight Riders at home. The win came in at a very critical phase, as the team seemed to be extremely down and out midway into the chase. But some exceptional bowling in the middle and death overs meant that the Knight Riders were choked and strangled by 14 runs.
Needing two more wins in as many games to enhance their chances of qualification, up next, they are against the most formidable side of the tournament in their own den. Mumbai Indians have been on a rampage throughout this season and everything done by this team has clicked. Undoubtedly the biggest test for Punjab, a victory here will colossally enhance their chances of making the cut for the top 4.
PREVIOUS ENCOUNTER:
An absolute run-feast was witnessed at Indore when these two batting giants clashed on the 20th of April. Punjab batting first, were bolstered by a flawless century from Hashim Amla right at the top and got to a very healthy looking 198 on board.
Little did they know, that this total would look pretty mediocre once Mumbai set about their task. The visitors made an absolute mockery of the target as Jos Buttler and Nitish Rana bludgeoned the Kings XI bowlers into orbit. Mumbai strolled to the target in just 15.3 overs, as a complete joke out of the bowlers was made.
Recent form this season:
MI: L, W, W, W, L
KXIP: W, L, W, W, L
Talking Points:
Wankhede has been among the biggest batting paradises in India and to exploit that fully, Martin Guptill would have come out all guns blazing for the Punjabis. Up against his former IPL team, Guptill is a world class T20 opener and if he gets going, things would be on fire right from the very offset. Against a high-quality Mumbai Indians bowling attack, a lot depends upon how the Kiwi opener fares.
While the spinners might have won them their previous game, one can sense a pacer getting in the playing XI. With Axar Patel and Rahul Tewatia likely to feature in the XI, one can expect a recall for either Varun Aaron or Ishant Sharma. Wankhede in the shortest format has been a graveyard for spinners and that should be kept in mind for this all important clash.
KXIP Predicted XI:
- M. Guptill 2. M. Vohra 3. S. Marsh 4. W. Saha (wk) 5. G. Maxwell (c) 6. A. Patel 7. M. Sharma 8. R. Tewatia 9. M. Henry 10. I. Sharma 11. S. Sharma