The IPL caravan finally reaches the capital of the country, Delhi, as the Daredevils play their first home game of the season after being on the road almost halfway through the tournament.
DD, not surprisingly, would desperately want to win all their home games to uplift themselves towards the top of the table.
Meanwhile, Kings XI Punjab is enjoying good run in the league, on the back of sensational form of openers KL Rahul and Chris Gayle.
Here’s the predicted XI of Kings XI Punjab.
Chris Gayle
Chris Gayle is already on the leaderboard for the orange cap even after missing out on the first two games of the tournament.
Gayle has looked more determined, hungry and aggressive this season, creating a statement or two after going unsold on the first day of the auction. Sit back and enjoy yet another Gayle special at Kotla.
KL Rahul
KL Rahul is going through a parallel purple patch, as he bagged his second MoM memento with his 27-ball 60.
Rahul, along with Gayle, is making a statement to the RCB for not retaining them this season.
However, one feels Rahul occupies a more senior role in the batting department whilst in Kings XI Punjab.
It is expected that the two explosive batsmen should provide yet another powerful start in the game against Delhi, with the small ground at Kotla.
Mayank Agarwal
Mayank Agarwal, after amassing 2000 runs in a single domestic season, showed his form during the brief knocks played until now. One has a feeling that a big one is just around the corner, provided he does not give his wicket away after a pretty 30.
Karun Nair
Rahul, Mayank, and Nair form the Karnataka core of Kings XI Punjab batting department. Nair has looked to make every opportunity count this season, as opposed to the last season where he looked out of sorts after getting the 300 score against England.
Nair has been scoring crucial 30s and 20s down the order. Therefore, one should expect a substantial score from the out of favour Test star of India.
Aaron Finch
Finch finally got his IPL campaign going with his quickfire knock against Sunrisers. Much like in the Australian T20I side, Finch is forced to come at number five, even though he is an explosive opener.
Finch is expected to play down the order and provide the finishing blows in double quick time.
Yuvraj Singh
Yuvraj Singh, who looks rusty, is playing the role of a floater. In case a couple of early wickets, Yuvi is sent at the number four. But when Kings XI Punjab is in need of some runs, the power players are sent ahead of him.
Interesting how things change in this game as, for over a decade and a half, Yuvi was sent to increase the run rate in the Indian team.
Ravichandran Ashwin
Photo by: Deepak Malik / IPL/ SPORTZPICS
Ravichandran Ashwin has been extremely impressive with his captaincy, management of players, as well as contributions with both bat and ball.
Ashwin currently is enjoying successive with the new franchise by bringing them the desired result.
Kings XI Punjab has won four out of five games to top the IPL points table, only due to the captaincy of Aswin.
Andrew Tye
Andrew Tye has displayed his skills in adapting to conditions in Mohali in quick time and providing the desired services with the ball at the backend of the innings.
The only scope improvement for Tye would be clinching wickets along with his economical spells of bowling.
Mohit Sharma
Mohit Sharma should be the only change ahead of the game against Delhi Daredevils who comes in place of Ankit Rajpoot.
Sharma’s change of pace might come in handy with the small ground at Kotla. The retained KXIP player has impressed during the death along with Tye and Sran.
Barinder Sran
The likes of Tye, Barinder Sran, and Mohit Sharma form a formidable combination of pace bowling in the Kings XI Punjab squad.
Sran has been economical ahead of the death overs until now in the tournament, with the help of his variations.
Mujeeb Zadran
Mujeeb Zadran gives the X-factor in the bowling department. Occasionally, in the tournament, the teenage sensation from Afghanistan has gone for plenty.
But also, Mujeeb has been instrumental in clinching wickets and turning it around for his side.