It is the last day of league matches before the playoffs start. But the thrill still remains intact for the second last match, as both teams will try to fetch the points to make it to the top four.
Delhi bowled brilliantly in the last couple of overs to beat Pune by seven runs at Feroz Shah Kotla to keep them waiting to seal the birth for the playoffs. Now if they win it, they would go off to the second spot on the league table. After this game, Pune is still placed fourth with 16 points and slots are wide open for Kings XI Punjab.
Thanks to Kings XI Punjab’s run in their last two games, where they registered convincing wins over KKR and Mumbai Indians, has left everyone guessing. There is still a four-way race for the last two slots up for grabs and in contention are KXIP, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Kings XI Punjab, KKR.
The fifth-placed Punjab is on a roll lately and will be a tough nut to crack for Pune, who are currently on 16 points from 13 games with a net run rate of -0.083. Punjab is on 14 points from an equal number of matches but have a comparatively better run rate of +0.296.
Maxwell led Punjab has lately been in great momentum fighting it out for the top four. They would be going for an all-out attack to win the tie and qualify for the playoffs.
Rahul Tewatia who played well in their last game remains a key bowler to watch out for. Also, a lot will depend on the batting display.
PREVIOUS ENCOUNTER:
Pune batted the first wicket on a sticky wicket and managed 163 for 6 on the back of a fifty from Stokes and a valuable cameo from Tiwary. A difficult wicket to defend on, Pune were 20 runs short. And in the end, despite picking some early wickets, Pune ended up losing it. Maxwell was the man of the match, scoring 44 off 20 while Miller scored 30 off 27 from Miller to ensure KXIP track down 164 in 19 overs.
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Punjab would want openers Martin Guptill and Manan Vohra to give them a sound start before Shaun Marsh, Wriddhiman Saha and captain Glenn Maxwell can accelerate their scoring rate. All-rounder Axar Patel can also smack the ball out of the park towards the end.
Kings XI Punjab won against KKR due to Tewatia’s fine spell and the leggie got Rohit Sharma’s wicket against MI the other day. Apart from his bowling skills, Tewatia is a pretty good batsman too.
Kings XI Punjab has been an unpredictable side just like Delhi Daredevils. Under Maxwell’s captaincy, the team has achieved some remarkable victories but there have been days when the team has not come good due to their top order collapse and fielding.
PREDICTED XI:
Martin Guptill, Shaun Marsh, Manan Vohra, Glenn Maxwell(C), Wriddhiman Saha(wk), Axar Patel, Rahul Tewatia, Ishant Sharma, Mohit Sharma, Sandeep Sharma, Matt Henry.