Last Updated on 5 years by Charbel Coorey
IPL 2019: KXIP vs KKR Preview Dream11 Prediction. Kings XI Punjab vs Kolkata Knight Riders Preview Dream11 Prediction
Take a deep breath. The hopes of these two sides are still alive.
MI’s thrilling Super Over win against SRH has left the door open for both Kings XI Punjab and Kolkata Knight Riders. Both sides sit on 10 points, with KKR boasting a better NRR. So, the perfect night out for KXIP would be to win well, moving their NRR from -0.296 to somewhere well closer to the positives. However, their form is mirroring IPL 2018, well-placed midway through the season before a collapse to miss the playoffs. Will it be they or KKR who move level with SRH?
Key to a KXIP win
Fears over KXIP’s team balance have come to fruition in recent games. Their reliance on their openers is clear, with the middle order unable to continue on from the promising signs they were showing earlier in the tournament. With KL Rahul taking time to get going, Chris Gayle has a crucial role in getting KXIP off to a flyer. With Gayle coming up against fellow West Indian powerhouse Andre Russell, KXIP need Gayle to win that battle, especially considering KXIP win just 16.7% of matches where Gayle scores less than 30. Also, with David Miller struggling, would KXIP be better served bringing in Sam Curran for some late boundaries and extra bowling strength? Can the likes of Mayank Agarwal and Nicholas Pooran build on their starts from the last game?
Also, another big question is where KXIP’s bowlers can handle the power KKR possess. Arshdeep Singh went for 42 vs SRH. Mujeeb ur Rahman a huge 66. Mohammed Shami, who went for nine an over, was the most economical apart from the two Ashwins. Murugan and Ravichandran need more support, and given KXIP have changed their team in every single game. Expect another here, with Sam Curran possibly called on to provide much needed spark. Can Shami get the better of the KKR top order? How will KXIP deal with Andre Russell? With NRR an issue for KXIP, they must bowl well.
VOTE: Were England right to withdraw Alex Hales? Have your say!
Key to a KKR win
In a season where they have struggled to know their perfect batting lineup, KKR finally got it right in an incredible batting performance against MI. A mammoth score of 232 was headlined by Shubman Gill batting where he should be and Andre Russell given more time to explode. The same template for success applies here, coming up against a side that conceded 200+ in their last game. With Chris Lynn also firing nicely last time out, KKR have a top three that can set an incredible platform for the likes of Dinesh Karthik, Sunil Narine and Nitish Rana to play off the back of. Ideally, they wouldn’t really need them, as was the case on Sunday at Eden Gardens.
Also, can KKR’s bowlers overcome KXIP’s opening partnership? If they can, they place immense pressure on the middle order to step up, given the pressure-filled nature of this game. Sunil Narine could be the man to tame the Gayle, with Harry Gurney and Andre Russell looking to build on their combined four wickets last time out. Also, can Piyush Chawla bounce back after a very expensive outing? Is it the right time to bring Kuldeep Yadav back, given the longer square boundaries at Mohali? A clinical bowling and fielding display can set KKR up nicely.
Possible Playing 11
David Miller out, Sam Curran in? Arshdeep Singh out, Karun Nair in? Anything can happen with KXIP.
KXIP: 1. KL Rahul, 2. Chris Gayle, 3. Mayank Agarwal, 4. Nicholas Pooran (wk), 5. Mandeep Singh, 6. David Miller/Sam Curran, 7. Ravichandran Ashwin (c), 8. Murugan Ashwin, 9. Ankit Rajpoot/Mujeeb ur Rahman, 10. Arshdeep Singh, 11. Mohammed Shami
KKR could be tempted to bring Kuldeep Yadav back. However, don’t be surprised if they stick with the same team and formula that helped them break a six-match losing streak.
KKR: 1. Chris Lynn, 2. Shubman Gill, 3. Andre Russell, 4. Robin Uthappa, 5. Dinesh Karthik (c & wk), 6. Nitish Rana, 7. Sunil Narine, 8. Piyush Chawla, 9. Harry Gurney, 10. Sandeep Warrier, 11. Prasidh Krishna
Dream11 Prediction
Option 1:
Option 2:
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Stats and Facts
- Head-to-head: Matches 24, KXIP 8, KKR 16.
- KKR have won 10 and lost just two matches vs KXIP since 2014.
- Shubman Gill as opener this season: 3 innings, 2 half centuries, SR: 158.
- Chris Gayle averages 48.85 vs KKR. Can he overcome his recent up-and-down form?
- KXIP have won four out of five matches at home in IPL 2019.
Match Prediction
What a huge game for both teams.
Given KKR’s return to form last game, with the right formula, I will back them to win. This is in addition to their excellent record vs KXIP.
VOTE: Were England right to withdraw Alex Hales? Have your say!
Thanks for reading!
