After enduring a humiliating defeat against Chennai Super Kings, Kings XI Punjab will be keen to register the victory on Thursday against Sunrisers Hyderabad and put their campaign back on the track. Kings XI Punjab lost by 10 wickets against Chennai Super Kings in their previous game and find themselves at the bottom of the table.
There are problems aplenty for KL Rahul. Apart from himself, Nicholas Pooran and Mayank Agarwal, no other batsmen have fired in the league. Moreover, the bowlers haven’t come to the party. Mohammad Shami and Sheldon Cotterell have provided the wickets in Powerplay but the death bowling has failed. Even in the game against Rajasthan Royals, despite being in control, the team lost the game in the last three overs. Kings XI Punjab have a lot to ponder about before they face SRH at Dubai International Stadium.
Take a good hard look at this coz the 🌞 may not ‘rise’ tomorrow! 💪🏻#SaddaPunjab #IPL2020 #KXIP #SRHvKXIP pic.twitter.com/nW1h24YwTw
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) October 7, 2020
Here are the top three picks for Anil Kumble coached side when they face Sunrisers Hyderabad on Thursday:
#1) KL Rahul
The Karnataka lad and captain of Kings XI Punjab will be itching to go against Sunrisers Hyderabad in pursuit of their second victory. After winning their second match of the campaign, Kings XI Punjab have lost track because of their bowling failures. KL Rahul has been phenomenal for Kings XI Punjab with 302 runs in five games. He also one century to his name along with two half-centuries.
KL Rahul will be one of the top three picks for Kings XI Punjab who is not only averaging 75.5 in 2020 but also striking at a strike rate of 141.78. KL Rahul is expected to deliver in one of the most crucial games of the season.
#2) Mohammad Shami
The Indian fast bowler has run through the batting line-ups of different teams in IPL 2020 but the other bowlers haven’t supported equally. In five games. the player has eight wickets to his name and will look to add few more to that tally against Sunrisers Hyderabad. He is the go-to man for KL Rahul and has removed the wickets both in the initial and final overs of the innings. He has an economy rate of 8.19 runs per over and has struck every 14 balls. (SR: 14)
With opposition boasting the batsmen of stature like David Warner, Jonny Bairstow and Manish Pandey, Mohammad Shami will look to provide early breakthroughs to run-down the weak middle of Sunrisers Hyderabad. He will be one of the top three picks for Sunrisers Hyderabad on Thursday.
#3) Ravi Bishnoi
The young Indian leggie is growing day by day under the guidance of Anil Kumble and is one of the most important players for Kings XI Punjab. Despite the players like Mujeeb ur Rahman and Murugan Ashwin waiting in the offing, KL Rahul has trusted Ravi Bishnoi and has given chance in every game. The player has retained the trust of his captain by providing wickets in the middle overs.
The 19-year-old Ravi Bishnoi has four wickets in five games, bowling at an economy rate below 8 runs per over. His strike rate is 30 and will be keen to provide his best performance against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
