KXIP Predicted Playing 11 for today’s match vs SRH: The Sportsrush presents before you KXIP’s Predicted Playing 11 for their sixth match of IPL 2019.
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Kings XI Punjab are at a phase in the tournament which can define their future in IPL 2019. With three wins and two losses in five matches, Punjab are currently at No. 5 in the points table. There is no hiding to the fact that the next two matches have it in them to put them in either side of the points table.
Having won both the matches at their home ground in IPL 2019, Kings XI will be looking to continue their form on their home turf and in front of their fans. Given the opposition in Sunrisers Hyderabad, it will be a daunting task for them to sneak a victory tomorrow.
KXIP Predicted Playing 11 for today’s match vs KKR
Top-order
Kings XI Punjab’s Top 4 batsmen have also been their highest run-scorers in IPL 2019. However, with two of them in Lokesh Rahul (117.74) and Sarfaraz Khan (126.92) striking runs at a below par strike rate is a pressing concern for them.
Given the format, Kings XI would want their batsmen to score at a better strike rate especially those who end up playing the most deliveries. The team became a victim of the same during their run chase against Chennai Super Kings. Chasing a 161-run target, Rahul and Sarfaraz scoring 44 runs from overs 10-17 was unacceptable.
Middle-order
Other than Sarfaraz, David Miller and Mandeep Singh have shows signs of brilliance during the slog overs for Punjab. That being said, them getting limited time to play has halted their progress. Punjab’s top-order batsmen leaving too much to score for the others have been worrying for them so far.
Playing the role of an all-rounder, Sam Curran will also have to take the onus on himself when it comes to hitting the big shots in the death overs.
Bowlers
In the initial matches, Kings XI had a decision to make with respect to playing five or six specialist bowling options. Trying both, captain Ravichandran Ashwin opted to play only five against Chennai Super Kings at Chennai yesterday.
Much like their batsmen’s strike rates, what Punjab’s fast bowlers need to immediately is take care of their economy rates. Front line fast bowlers in Mohammed Shami (9.35), Andrew Tye (9.52), Sam Curran (9.48) and Hardus Viljoen (8.9) cannot afford to leak runs at the above mentioned economy rates.
What Ashwin might also be looking forward to is playing Mujeeb Ur Rahman in front of Tye, who has mostly looked out of sorts this season.
KXIP Predicted Playing 11 for today’s match vs SRH – 1) Lokesh Rahul (wk) 2) Chris Gayle 3) Mayank Agarwal 4) Sarfaraz Khan 5) David Miller 6) Mandeep Singh 7) Sam Curran 8) Ravichandran Ashwin (c) 9) Mohammed Shami 10) Murugan Ashwin 11) Mujeeb Ur Rahman
