Kings XI Punjab’s (KXIP) last hope to reach the IPL 2019 playoffs has almost washed out after suffering a defeat in their last match against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on last Friday (3rd May) night.
After playing 13 matches in this IPL season, KXIP has earned ten points (won five matches and lost eight matches).
However, KXIP has one more game to play in this IPL season and they will play this match for their pride. On Sunday (5th May) afternoon, KXIP will meet Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at Mohali. In their previous meeting of this season, the host side CSK beat KXIP by 22 runs at Chennai.
Before this match, we are here to discuss KXIP’s predicted XI for their upcoming match.
Chris Gayle
The Caribbean cricketer Chris Gayle has performed well in the ongoing IPL season. In the IPL 2019, the left-handed opening batsman has scored 462 runs in 12 innings with an average of 42.00. He has scored four half-centuries in this season including his best knock of 99*. Though he failed to play big innings in the last three matches, he can return to the form in quick time.
KL Rahul
Another KXIP opener KL Rahul is the leading run-scorer for his team in the ongoing IPL season. The right-handed batsman has scored 522 runs in 13 innings (average 52.20) in this IPL season. In this season, he has hit one century and five half-centuries.
Mayank Agarwal
Another top-order batsman Mayank Agarwal has also played some good cricket in IPL 2019, but he mostly failed to capitalise his good starts. After playing 12 innings in this season, Agarwal has scored 325 runs with an average of 27.08. Agarwal has scored two half-centuries this IPL season.
Nicholas Pooran (wk)
After some initial struggles, the young Caribbean wicketkeeper-batsman Nicholas Pooran has recently played some brilliant innings. The left-handed batsman played two 40s in the last three matches as he has scored 132 runs in five innings (average 26.40) of this season.
Mandeep Singh
Mandeep Singh has played some decent cricket in IPL 2019. The right-handed batsman has scored 154 runs in 11 innings with an average of 38.50.
Sam Curran
In the last match, the English youngster Sam Curran played a fiery knock of unbeaten 55 runs off just 24 balls. The left-arm pacer has picked up seven wickets in eight matches in the ongoing IPL season.
Ravichandran Ashwin (Captain)
KXIP captain Ravichandran Ashwin has bowled well in this IPL season. The off-spinner is the second most wicket-taker for his team in IPL 2019 as he has picked up 15 wickets in 13 matches. Ashwin’s bowling average in this season is 25.13 and his economy rate in this season is 7.39.
Andrew Tye
Last season’s (IPL 2018) Purple Cap winner Andrew Tye has hugely disappointed this season. In IPL 2019, the right-arm pacer has only managed to take three wickets in five matches.
Mohammed Shami
In the ongoing IPL season, the 28-year-old pacer Mohammed Shami has played some great roles in bowling. He is the leading wicket-taker for his team this season as he has bagged 17 wickets in 13 matches.
Murugan Ashwin
Though the leg-spinner Murugan Ashwin was expensive in the last match, he is still the most economical bowler for his team in this IPL season. While he has taken five wickets in nine matches in IPL 2019, his economy rate is 7.16.
Ankit Rajpoot
The right-arm pacer Ankit Rajpoot has failed to impress in this IPL season as he wasn’t selected in the last two playing XIs. In IPL 2019, Rajpoot has picked up only three wickets in four matches.