Last Updated on 6 years by Charbel Coorey
The second of two critical games today in the playoffs race. Both games are of identical characteristics – MI (6 points) are chasing KKR (10 points) to try steal a playoffs spot, and the exact same applies to RR (6 points) chasing KXIP (10 points).
All of a sudden, Kings XI Punjab are in a bit of a sticky situation, and will be a whole lot stickier if they lose this game. One of the top three sides along with CSK and SRH just a week or so ago, KXIP are stuck on 10 points after two straight losses, and a third straight loss will mean they will be only two points ahead of their nearest challengers for a playoff spot. A win here will give them vital breathing space, and they have the quality to achieve it.
The fact Rajasthan Royals still have a shot at the playoffs is incredible given the mostly disappointing cricket they have played throughout IPL 2018. They will be pleased with Jos Buttler’s incredible return to form, the catalyst of a very close shortened run chase against DD. However, their bowling still leaves a lot to be desired, and if they are poor against KXIP, they can kiss victory goodbye.
Key to a Kings XI Punjab win
KXIP were a touch underwhelming against MI, but you can still say they let the game slip a little towards the end. Despite this, they still managed a respectable 174, and will be looking to improve their execution with the ball, as well as rediscover the dominant batting form that has underlined their success so far in this tournament.
KL Rahul and Chris Gayle batted 60 balls combined for 74 runs against MI. It will be interesting to see how they back up from that underwhelming performance, when you compare it to how damaging they have been in recent times. Against an RR attack that isn’t firing, back KXIP’s top order to have increased strike rates, with much-needed improvement in the performance of the middle order. If they achieve this, they will have too many runs and too much power for RR.
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| These two have been tremendous for KXIP in IPL 2018 |
Key to a Rajasthan Royals win
RR need to produce the kind of performance MI did a couple of nights ago against KXIP, as well as SRH the week previous.
MI based their strategy around keeping things tight, and managed to keep the much vaunted KXIP top order relatively quiet. This led to a sub-180 total, which always gave MI a chance. A sub-180 total will give RR a chance, especially if the likes of Jos Buttler can fire again.
Also, the two players who were purchased for a combined INR 24 crores must step up. Jaydev Unadkat and Ben Stokes have been very underwhelming so far in the tournament. If they get going, RR are a chance.
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| It’s been tough going for Ben Stokes in IPL 2018. |
Possible teams
Kings XI Punjab XI: 1. Chris Gayle, 2. KL Rahul (wk), 3. Mayank Agarwal, 4. Manok Tiwary, 5. Karun Nair, 6. Marcus Stoinis, 7. Axar Patel, 8. Ravichandran Ashwin (c), 9. Andrew Tye, 10. Mujeeb Ur Rahman, 11. Ankit Rajpoot
Rajasthan Royals XI: 1. Ajinkya Rahane (c), 2. Jos Buttler (wk), 3. Sanju Samson, 4. Ben Stokes, 5. Rahul Tripathi, 6. Stuart Binny, 7. K Gowtham, 8. Jofra Archer, 9. Shreyas Gopal, 10. Jaydev Unadkat, 11. Ben Laughlin
Stats and Facts:
- Head-to-Head: Matches: 15, KXIP 6, RR 9. They will meet again in three days at the Sawai Masingh Stadium.
- Jos Buttler as opener in IPL cricket: Average of 30.80 and SR 167.
- Chris Gayle loves May the 6th in IPL cricket. On this date in previous IPL editions, his scores read: 107 (49), 26 (22), 61 (33), 38 (24) and 117 (57).
- RR have a net run rate of -0.726, compared to KXIP’s 0.130. RR will surely need to win every game from now on to have a chance of reaching the playoffs.
Prediction
RR are certainly one of the most disappointing teams in IPL 2018, which began with disappointing squad investments. They need their big players to step to have a chance here.
However, I can’t trust that this will happen. KXIP look more settled, and will be looking to avoid three straight losses, thanks to a stronger batting performance. KXIP to win.
