KXIP on a hat-rick match with the top of the table
Game 38 of the IPL will see the resurrected Kings XI Punjab take on the trailblazing Delhi Capitals here at the Dubai International Stadium today.
Kings XI Punjab have come back from the dead and mounted a galant attack, first taking down the Royal Challengers Bangalore and then the mighty Mumbai Indians. If they are successful in getting the better of Delhi Capitals today, they will have taken down the teams ranked 3, 2, 1 in as many matches and in that order.
The inclusion of the self proclaimed ‘Universe Boss’ seems to have worked like a charm for the Kings. Gayle brings to the table an insurmountable amount of self confidence and cockiness, something innate in Jamaican men some would argue, and that can work in a team’s favor especially when it has hit a low patch as the Kings had done.
The inclusion of Deepak Hooda in the lower middle order has also added some stealth to the Kings batting.Also impressive has been the rise of Arshdeep Singh, the young left armer, and the consistent performances of Ravi Bishnoi the leggie, giving the ingenious Shami support that he deserves.
The team overall is looking not too bad now, the only missing piece of the puzzle is their millionaire cricketer from down under Mr. Maxwell. The good thing is he is bowling a few overs now, but his batting has been poor and how! Most disheartening has been his approach to batting, looking to hit himself out of trouble, something that rarely works.
Kings have generally been very unlucky as well, against Kolkata they should really have won that match. Also the match against Delhi right at the start of their campaign ended in a tie and had to be decided via a super over. They face the same team today and if this match goes to a super over again, Kings would hope Lady Luck is on their side.
Delhi capitals are the team to beat this season. No matter what you throw at them they seem to find a way to over come it. Super over, loss of players, they seem to just find that extra gear while faced with adversity. A special word for Shikhar Dhawan, the man just took his game to another level against CSK in the last match, even against Rajasthan the match before he was really good. The fact that he took on the extra responsibility, played with that added composure, knowing Pant and Hetmyer are out of the team, speaks volumes of the maturity of Dhawan the cricketer. Shreyas Iyer too has looked a class apart, with him out there you know Delhi is always in the hunt. Marcus Stoinis also seems to have turned a new leaf here in Delhi, and has showed class with the bat. Chances are that Rishab Pant and Shimron Hetmyer will be back in the team today, not good news for the Kings that.
The real strength for the Capitals though has been their bowling. The pace duo of Nortje and Rabada has caused mayhem at the top and bottom, ably supported by the spin couple Ashwin and Axar in the middle. New addition to the lineup the young star Tushar Deshpande seems to have some spark as well, and then you have the now reliable Stoinis for backup.
One thing is for certain, this Delhi team will take no prisoners.
#MyPrediction
With Pant and Hetmyer back, Kings will have a tough time against Delhi today. If Kings want to prevail they will have to be ready for a fight, the fight of their lives. As much as you want a Kings XI win, keeps the tournament interesting.Delhi hold the edge over Punjab today.
