Kings XI Punjab face Royal Challengers Bangalore at Dubai International Stadium on Wednesday. Royal Challengers Bangalore are on the back of a win against Sunrisers Hyderabad whereas Kings XI Punjab is from a defeat against Delhi Capitals. Delhi Capitals won the game against Kings XI Punjab in the super over after KXIP failed to get over the line. Kings XI Punjab required one run from three deliveries but failed to do so after losing Mayank Agarwal in the penultimate delivery of the stipulated 40 overs.
Despite the defeat against Delhi Capitals, Kings XI Punjab have many positives. Even after the players being without a competitive game since February, they looked fit and fabulous. Mohammad Shami was at his destructive best whereas Sheldon Cottrell provided the required inputs for what he was bought for in the auction. Ravi Bishnoi, the young leggie also proved handy for his captain in the middle overs despite playing his first game in Indian Premier League.
Kings XI Punjab will look to bounce back when they face roaring Royal Challengers Bangalore. Apart from a few personal battles between the players, there is also a battle between Virat Kohli and Anil Kumble. Anil Kumble was removed from the head coach position after India lost against Pakistan in the Champions Trophy 2017. Anil Kumble will look to give back to Virat Kohli on Thursday.
We witnessed a #GayleStorm the last time @henrygayle played 🆚 #RCB at 📍Mohali
How much did he score? 🔢#SaddaPunjab #WakhraSquad #IPL2020 #KXIPvRCB pic.twitter.com/ZBKBu0vU6Q
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) September 24, 2020
If Kumble has to exact an act of revenge, here are the three top picks for the coach who can swing the game for Kings XI against RCB:
#1) K L Rahul
The former Royal Challengers Bangalore batsman has things to prove for himself when he faces Virat Kohli led the team on Thursday. He was left into auction by RCB despite his near-perfect performances in 2016. He is one of the costliest buys of KXIP in the 2018 auction. The player has lived up to the bill to date and will look to continue the same in 2020 too.
Royal Challengers Bangalore has quite an unproved bowling line-up or an inexperienced bowling attack. KL Rahul will look to tear the bowling apart and put up a big total against his former side.
#2) Mayank Agarwal
Mayank Agarwal was hard done by his side after the side failed to score one run from three balls despite him scoring 89 runs. Mayank Agarwal brought the team into the brink of victory only to take it into super over. We all know what happened in the super over. Kings XI Punjab surrendered against Delhi Capitals’ Kagiso Rabada. Everyone questioned the team’s tactics to bring Pooran and Rahul in the super over and absence of Mayank too.
Mayank Agarwal also faces his former side with an intent to win the game. KXIP are winless against RCB in the previous four games and will look to change the things on Thursday.
#3) Mohammed Shami
The well known Indian national team fast bowler, Mohammed Shami had inflicted early damage on Delhi Capitals on Sunday. However, other bowlers failed to capitalise on that and allowed Delhi to reach a tricky score of 157. Kings XI let the bowlers effort down when the batsmen scored only 3 runs. The player couldn’t defend three runs in super over and ended on losing side.
With conditions favouring bowlers in the first half of the innings, Shami will look to provide early breakthroughs for Punjab. Can he topple RCB at Dubai International Stadium?
