Kings XI Punjab vs Chennai Super Kings resume rivalry at the IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali.
The Chennai Super Kings, who have had a four-day break since their thrilling win in Chennai, will take on Kings XI Punjab, who lost to Royal Challengers Bangalore in their most-recent outing.
Despite posting two improbable victories in IPL 2018, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will be a much weaker side owing to injuries when they take on Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) at the IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali on Sunday evening.
KXIP and CSK have both looked impressive, with KXIP choosing to revamp their entire team after a disappointing last season, while CSK have started from where they left off when they were banned from the IPL for two years.
Kings XI Punjab vs Chennai Super Kings (KXIP vs CSK)
After getting over the line in thrilling fashion against Mumbai Indians and then Kolkata Knight Riders, MS Dhoni’s team has been struck by injury woes. Kedar Jadhav, who showed immense composure in taking his side home in Mumbai, has been ruled out of the tournament, while batting mainstay Suresh Raina is not available for two matches due to a calf strain. While they have a good mix of Indian and international players in their squad, CSK would be worried having lost two of their prominent middle order batsmen in the space of two matches.
Injury to Raina may force CSK to bat Ambati Rayudu in his place at No 3 and bring in Murali Vijay to open the innings with Shane Watson. MS Dhoni hasn’t been able to bat freely so far in the competition, which has prompted batsmen like Sam Billings and Dwayne Bravo to bat with a little more aggression. The experiment with Deepak Chahar wasn’t successful has he was given just one over in the game against KKR.
After using fast bowler Mark Wood in the opening fixture and leg-spinner Imran Tahir in the next, there is still a spot open for an overseas bowler with the arrival of another England pacer in David Willey, who could offer some variety in the attack.
KL Rahul’s brutal half-century made it a comfortable chase for KXIP against DD in the end, and together with Karun Nair and David Miller shoring up the middle order, the batting looks in good hands. Australia’s Aaron Finch will also be available to open the innings, so it will be interesting to see if they decide to bring him to open with Rahul straightaway, or give Chris Gayle his first game in KXIP colours.
The only question facing KXIP was Yuvraj Singh’s patchy innings against DD, where he struggled to find any timing on the ball before a tame dismissal. Another veteran, Manoj Tiwary, is also waiting in the wings to take his place as well, which makes KXIP more that secure of their options.
Team Head to Head
Overall: Matches – 17, Kings XI Punjab won – 7, Chennai Super Kings won – 10
The teams have maintained a 100% record against each other in alternate seasons. In 2012, KXIP got the better of CSK on both occasions. In 2013, CSK prevailed in both the matches, while in 2014, KXIP cleaned up CSK thrice en route the final. Finally, in 2015 CSK clinched wins at home and on the road.
Predicted Winner: Kings XI Punjab
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