Dubai: A second win and a break in the losing streak beckons one of the teams as Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) take on Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
After making a winning start to their IPL 2020 campaign against Mumbai Indians, CSK have lost three games in a row. While Rajasthan Royals beat them by 16 runs, Delhi Capitals registered a 44-run win against CSK before they went down against Sunrisers Hyderabad by 7 runs.
KXIP, on the other hand, overcame the Super Over-heartbreak against Delhi with a win in their second game against RCB. However, they lost their next two games against Rajasthan Royals and Mumbai Indians. With both teams eyeing a winning return, the game promises to offer a lot and here are our picks who could decide the course of the game.
CSK do look better balanced now with the return of Dwayne Bravo and Ambati Rayudu, but it’s the lack of returns from Shane Watson and Kedar Jadhav that’s pulling them down. It wouldn’t probably hurt to take a punt on Rayudu as an opener for a game or two, and allow Watson to find his groove without any pressure of scoring quickly.
From the outside, it might seem KXIP are over-reliant on their in-form opening pair of Mayank Agarwal and skipper KL Rahul for the runs. But their middle-order is actually well stocked with proven game-changers to take on challenging targets.
It’s the death bowling that needs to stop landing them in those stiff chases. Punjab’s death overs economy rate of 16.91 is alarmingly high, and the management has some tough calls to make. “Another bowling option would be nice – an all-rounder option who can bat and bowl well. Will be sitting with the coaches to decide if we want to play an extra bowler,” Rahul said.
“Both Watson and Jadhav are looking for substantial contributions. Shane can light the fuse at any stage and Kedhar the same. It’s just our fourth game so it’s pretty early in our cycle of form, but there is no doubt there is pressure and they will be feeling it more than what I am talking about,” CSK head coach Stephen Fleming said.
