IPL 2020, RCB vs KXIP: It was the RCB against whom KXIP won a game this season. (BCCI/IPL)With their only win in this season against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB Full Squad) and Chris Gayle’s probable debut in the IPL 2020, Kings XI Punjab (KXIP Full Squad) will be hoping to clinch a victory in their must-win game today.
The inability to produce an all-round show and close out games they should have won has led to KXIP losing six out of their seven matches. But KXIP can take confidence from the fact their only win in the tournament has come against RCB, who look a much more potent squad since their last meeting on September 24.
Though the Sharjah wicket has been slowing gradually, the smaller ground dimensions are ideal for someone like Gayle to go on a six-hitting spree. However, it certainly won’t be easy for the 41-year-old to get going from ball one, having not played earlier in the competition.
On the other hand, Virat Kohli-led RCB will look to continue their winning streak against KL Rahul’s men. RCB are on the third spot in the points table with 10 points against their name while KXIP are at the bottom of the standings, seeking a much-needed move up the points table.
Probable XIs:
Kings XI Punjab: Chris Gayle, KL Rahul (c), Mayank Agarwal, Nicholas Pooran (wk), Glenn Maxwell/James Neesham, Mandeep Singh, Chris Jordan, Mohammed Shami, Murugan Ashwin/K Gowtham, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh
Royal Challengers Bangalore: Devdutt Padikkal, Aaron Finch, Virat Kohli (c), AB de Villiers (wk), Shivam Dube, Chris Morris, Isuru Udana, Washington Sundar, Navdeep Saini, Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal
Chris Gayle, KL Rahul(w/c), Mayank Agarwal, Nicholas Pooran, Glenn Maxwell, Deepak Hooda, Chris Jordan, Murugan Ashwin, Mohammed Shami, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh
Devdutt Padikkal, Aaron Finch, Virat Kohli(c), AB de Villiers(w), Washington Sundar, Shivam Dube, Chris Morris, Isuru Udana, Navdeep Saini, Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal
Royal Challengers Bangalore have won the toss and have opted to bat.
Devdutt Padikkal, Aaron Finch, Virat Kohli (c), AB de Villiers (wk), Shivam Dube, Chris Morris, Isuru Udana, Washington Sundar, Navdeep Saini, Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal
Chris Gayle, KL Rahul (c), Mayank Agarwal, Nicholas Pooran (wk), Glenn Maxwell/James Neesham, Mandeep Singh, Chris Jordan, Mohammed Shami, Murugan Ashwin/K Gowtham, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh
Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) will be hoping that Chris Gayle fires on his much-awaited return and KXIP, for once, put up a complete performance in its must-win game against a high-flying Royal Challengers Bangalore at Shrajah cricket ground on Thursday.
Benching a yet to fire Glenn Maxwell is one option or the team can bring Gayle at the expense of an overseas bowler and replace him with the available Indian talent. Barring Mohammad Shami and Ravi Bishnoi, none of the bowlers have inspired confidence, especially in the death overs. Not being able to find the right balance despite trying out many options has also contributed to KXIP’s rapid slide.
Royal Challengers Bangalore Predicted Playing XI: Devdutt Padikkal, Aaron Finch, Virat Kohli (c), AB de Villiers (wk), Shivam Dube, Chris Morris, Isuru Udana, Washington Sundar, Navdeep Saini, Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal
Kings XI Punjab Predicted Playing XI: Chris Gayle, KL Rahul (c), Mayank Agarwal, Nicholas Pooran (wk), Glenn Maxwell/James Neesham, Mandeep Singh, Chris Jordan, Mohammed Shami, Murugan Ashwin/K Gowtham, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh
RCB’s last game against KKR was also on this ground, so they come into the game more aware of the gradually changing conditions than KXIP, who played here last on September 27 when the surface was much better to bat on. With Aaron Finch back among the runs against KKR, RCB’s top-four (including Devdutt Padikkal, Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers) can be a nightmare for any team.
From standing in a long selection queue for aspiring batsmen at the iconic Shivaji Park Gymkhana to shining on his IPL debut as a pacer, Mumbai rookie Tushar Deshpande has come a long way. The 25-year-old bowler held his nerve to help fashion a 13-run victory for Delhi Capitals against Rajasthan Royals on Wednesday night. [Read More On His Cricket Journey]
Delhi Capitals have been exceptionally brilliant in the Indian Premier League (IPL 2020) this year as they have lost only 2 matches out of the 8 they have played so far. Rajasthan Royals (RR) have been continuously struggling in the tournament and match against Delhi was no different for them. They have lost 5 of the 8 matches they have played and are currently at the second last position of the 8-team points tally. Kings XI Punjab remain at the last spot with just one win so far. [Read More]
Delhi Capitals (DC) pacer Anrich Nortje holds a unique record in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The top three fastest deliveries in the history of the IPL is now under the name of the South African pacer. Nortje’s fastest delivery which was timed at 156.2 kmph shattered countryman Dale Steyn’s (154.4 kmph) record on Wednesday as DC used the pace of Nortje and Kagiso Rabada to earn a 13-run victory over Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League on Wednesday. But as Nortje clocked speeds of 97 mph, Jos Buttler fought fire with fire and ramped him for a four. The exciting battle did not last long as a couple of balls later the Proteas pacer had the last laugh when he destroyed Buttler’s wickets with a 155 kmph thunderbolt (the second fastest ball in IPL history).
[Read More]
KXIP are languishing at the bottom of the table despite having the top-two leading run-getters of the tournament in skipper K L Rahul (387 at strike rate of 134.84) and his opening partner Mayank Agarwal (337 at 48.14). Between them, the two have five half-centuries and two hundreds and KXIP will want the duo to continue their merry ways and take the team across the finish line in Sharjah.
RCB at this venue: Played 3, Won 2, Lost 1
KXIP at this venue: Played 3, Won 2, Lost 1
Chris Gayle has shown the signs of recovery and KXIP have indicated that he would have played against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). But if Gayle is available, KXIP, with a winning return on their mind, will be looking to pick the big-hitting West Indian in the playing XI. What he can do with the bat needs no explanation.
Hello and welcome to the live blog on all the KXIP vs RCB matchday updates. KXIP’s only win this season came against RCB when KL Rahul set the stage on fire to set up his team’s 97-run win and they will be looking to take a lot of confidence from that. RCB, on the other hand, will be eager to settle the scores in these two teams’ second clash of IPL 2020.