Last Updated on 3 months by Charbel Coorey

IPL 2020 Match 50: KXIP vs RR Preview Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | KXIP vs RR Dream11 Prediction Today | Kings XI Punjab vs Rajasthan Royals Key Players | Abu Dhabi Pitch Report

Another day in IPL 2020, another huge match.

What a turnaround from Kings XI Punjab. They are now well and truly frontrunners for a playoffs spot, given KKR’s loss last evening plus the fact that KL Rahul’s men are the most in-form side currently. They are riding the wave of five straight wins, and if they can keep their cool today, they will take a giant step towards the playoffs.

That giant step includes knocking out their opponents today, should they beat them. So, the equation for Rajasthan Royals is simple: win and go level with KXIP, or lose and tournament over. They are coming off a Ben Stokes-inspired victory over Mumbai Indians over the weekend, and Stokes, as well as the entire RR unit, must work together to keep their playoff hopes alive. Given their net run rate of -0.505, a big win is ideal, but the focus should be to do what they can to win this one.

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

• If Mayank Agarwal returns today, he will be returning against the team he scored a century against earlier in IPL 2020 (at Sharjah). He smashed 106 in 50 balls.
• His opening partner, KL Rahul, continues to lead the Orange Cap race (595, avg. 59.50, SR 132.22). This includes 69 vs RR earlier this season – an opponent he loves playing against when in KXIP colours: 5 inns, 304 runs, avg. 101.33, SR 132.75.
• The Royals persisted with Ben Stokes at opener, and he repaid the faith with a superb century vs Mumbai. Can he produce another big knock here today?
• RR would also be pleased to see Sanju Samson return to form. Samson, who was picked in India’s limited-overs squads, was man of the match in the RR-KXIP earlier this season (85 off 42 balls), and has an excellent record for RR vs KXIP: 11 inns, 358 runs, avg. 44.75, SR 139.84.
• The addition of Chris Gayle has transformed KXIP. The “Universe Boss” has struck 177 runs so far in IPL 2020 (5 inns), at an average of 35.40 and SR 138.28. However, can he overcome a slightly modest record vs RR compared to his career numbers? (15 inns, 400 runs, avg. 30.77, SR 129.45)
• Steve Smith smashed 50 off 27 balls against KXIP early in IPL 2020. However, the Australian star hasn’t quite had the tournament expected of him. But, today could be his day, as he has some decent numbers for RR vs KXIP that he can build on (SR 158.54, 130 runs, avg. 32.50).
• Jos Buttler performs best as an IPL opener, but he is capable of producing in the middle order as he showed a few games ago vs CSK (70* off 48 balls). Plus, Buttler has some fine numbers for RR against KXIP, and will be required to go big if called upon: 5 inns, 229 runs, avg. 45.80, SR 139.63.
• What about the courage shown by Mandeep Singh? He filled in superbly for the injured Agarwal with an excellent half-century (66*) vs KKR, a mere few days after his father’s passing. He could move down to the middle order today, where KXIP might need his busy style of play.
• Rahul Tewatia turned the game against KXIP earlier this season with five straight sixes. However, there is no Sheldon Cottrell this time around, so can Tewatia continue to perform when needed? (IPL 2020 batting: 10 inns, 224 runs, avg. 44.80, SR 143.58).
• Mohammed Shami (20 scalps and 10 in his last five games) is three wickets behind Purple Cap holder Kagiso Rabada. His battle up top against the likes of Stokes, Uthappa, Smith and Samson will be vital.
• Jofra Archer, who has had a magnificent tournament to date, has taken 17 wickets in IPL 2020, including eight in his last five games.
• KXIP legspinners Ravi Bishnoi and Murugan Ashwin have combined beautifully in the second-half of the campaign. They have now taken a combined 21 wickets in IPL 2020, and will be key on the big Abu Dhabi outfield.
• The revival of Chris Jordan has also played a key role in KXIP’s upturn. He has taken 3/17 and 2/25 in his last two games, displaying excellent composure at the death in the process.

Stats and Facts

• Head-to-head: Matches 20, KXIP 9, RR 11.
• KXIP’s 223/2 was not enough when these two sides met earlier this season, at Sharjah. It was a thriller.
• Should RR spread Jofra Archer’s overs out a little more? Chris Gayle averages just 17.50 vs Archer and Maxwell just 6.50.
• Sanju Samson (23) and Nicholas Pooran (22) are the two players with the most sixes in IPL 2020.
• If KXIP win, then their qualification will depend on how SRH fares tomorrow vs RCB. If RR win, then they will go level with KKR and KXIP on 12 points, whereby SRH (currently 10 points) can overtake all four teams tomorrow on NRR.

Possible Playing 11

Kings XI Punjab: 1. Mayank Agarwal, 2. KL Rahul (c & wk), 3. Chris Gayle, 4. Nicholas Pooran, 5. Glenn Maxwell, 6. Mandeep Singh, 7. Chris Jordan, 8. M Ashwin, 9. Mohammed Shami, 10. Ravi Bishnoi, 11. Arshdeep Singh

Rajasthan Royals: 1. Ben Stokes, 2. Robin Uthappa, 3. Sanju Samson, 4. Steven Smith (c), 5. Jos Buttler (wk), 6. Riyan Parag, 7. Rahul Tewatia, 8. Shreyas Gopal, 9. Jofra Archer, 1.0 Ankit Rajpoot/Varun Aaron/Jaydev Unadkat, 11. Kartik Tyagi

Abu Dhabi Pitch and Weather Report

Chasing teams have enjoyed success in recent matches at Abu Dhabi, winning six of the past eight matches. With dew a key factor at the backend of this tournament, the captain who wins the toss will likely field first.

Dream11 Prediction (based on final playing XIs)

Option 1:

Option 2:

Match Prediction

Chasing team to win? Kings XI is certainly the team in better form, but nothing is written in stone. The battle of the top orders and death bowlers will be key in this one, in what has the potential to be a thriller.

Thanks for reading!