The second half of the Indian Premier League double header on Sunday comes from Mohali as the Kings XI Punjab look to continue their charge for the playoffs. They go heads up with a Gujarat Lions side who have the role of spoilers for the rest of the competition.
Kings XI Punjab are probably the only side who can upset the current top four now you would think and to do that they need to win this match. Gujarat have had their fate sealed for a while now so can play with a bit of freedom.
Kings XI Punjab
After a period of consistent inconsistency the Kings XI Punjab have suddenly found their mojo and they head into this match off the back of successive wins. If they can turn that into a third win on the bounce then they will put themselves right into the picture for a spot at the end of season playoffs but defeat will hurt them badly.
The Kings XI bowling has come on leaps and bounds in the last couple of matches and that has taken the pressure off their batting and as we’ve seen with other sides in this competition that is a perfect combination. It is particularly good for Kings XI as it means they can pack their side with overseas batsmen.
Gujarat Lions
Bowling has been one of the big issues throughout the season for the Gujarat Lions and in truth there are no signs that it is improving. You wouldn’t think it is going to improve now either and that has to be a real motivation killer for Suresh Raina’s men. That said one of two of their bowlers are at least trying hard.
Unfortunately they are going the other way to the Kings XI Punjab in that the lack of intensity in their bowling attack is putting the pressure on their batsmen and while they could handle it earlier in the campaign the longer the season has gone on the more they have started to struggle and now it is a huge issue.
Team News
Kings XI Punjab will be without Marcus Stoinis for the rest of the campaign as he is out injured. Hashim Amla and David Miller could play final matches for the franchise here while Darren Sammy is pushing for a start.
Gujarat Lions have been decimated throughout the season and now they have added Brendon McCullum to their injury list which is far from ideal. Irfan Pathan could be his replacement in the side.
[the_ad_group id=”3624″]
Betting
I have to take the Kings XI Punjab here. You could rightfully argue they weren’t particularly convincing against the Royal Challengers Bangalore last time out but they won and now they face a decimated Gujarat Lions side whose confidence is gradually getting eroded more and more.
Kings XI generally play their home grounds well and I think they can continue to do that by feasting on a woeful bowling attack and taking advantage of a batting line up that is under increasing pressure.
Given that line up is under such pressure it makes sense to take someone underrated in it to top score in this match. Dinesh Karthik is likely to go up the order a place in McCullum’s absence and given how well he has been hitting the ball this season he looks a big price to top score especially if Dwayne Smith continues to misfire and something happens to either Raina or Aaron Finch.
Tips
Back Kings XI Punjab to beat Gujarat Lions for a 5/10 stake at 1.80 with Bwin
Back them here:
Back D.Karthik Top Gujarat Lions Batsman for a 1/10 stake at 7.50 with William Hill
Back him here:
Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2017
