Kings XI Punjab suddenly look off the tracks after starting their campaign on a bright note. The recent losses to Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Daredevils have exposed their negative points and make them look weak.
The loss to DD yet again showed the fragility of their batting order. The side looks too dependent on certain players like Glenn Maxwell and David Miller to perform.
This needs to be improved. Also, there seem to be drawbacks in the bowling attack as well. All these problems need to be taken care of before the Punjab team walks out to meet Sunrisers Hyderabad on their opposition’s home turf.
Previous Encounter:
The two teams last met in the 2016 season at the IS Bindra Stadium, Mohali where the Sunrisers Hyderabad ended up having an upper hand over the home side. The tense high scoring match saw SRH chasing down a stiff 180 runs target with the help of solid knocks from skipper David Warner and Yuvraj Singh.
Kings XI Punjab was on top in the first half, as opener Hashim Amla thoroughly justified the decision of the batting first by slamming 96 runs off just 56 balls and laying the platform for a formidable total.
However, Punjab bowling attack could not contain opposition skipper Warner, who gave a blazing start to the chase, putting up 68 for the first wicket. Later, Deepak Hooda and Yuvraj Singh took care of the task with handy cameos, hitting 34 and 42, respectively to take their side past the winning line.
Recent Form:
LLWWL (Most Previous Matches First)
Talking Points:
The decision to replace Marcus Stoinis with Eoin Morgan seems like a good despite the fact that the former was in form. Although Morgan couldn’t get going, the English star is very potent and can be the match turner for the Punjab side. Punjab will desperately hope for him to fire.
The eyes will be on openers Manan Vohra and Hashim Amla. The young – experienced duo has done well, as a combo but is yet to put up a strong memorable show with the bat individually. This has been a small cause of worry for the Punjab side.
While the pair has added 50 plus stands twice so far, the middle order hitters have been often left with the resurrection job, as they are left to play too many overs.
Maxwell and Miller would be happier to walk in at around the 14th or 15 over stage instead of around the mid-innings mark.
Sandeep Sharma hasn’t exactly been that effective so far. With the availability of Ishant Sharma, it would be better to rest the young swing bowler. KC Cariappa addition gives Punjab the mystery factor. He was pretty economical and acts as the perfect partner to Axar Patel.
Here is the likely XI of Kings Xi Punjab:
Mana Vohra, Hashim Amla, Wriddhiman Saha, Eoin Morgan, David Miller, Glenn Maxwell, Axar Patel, Mohit Sharma, KC Cariappa, Ishant Sharma