Kings XI hope for miracle against Super Kings

PUNE : With odds stacked against them in the race for IPL playoffs, a struggling Kings XI Punjab take on Chennai Super Kings in the final league match on Sunday at Pune.

Placed third at one stage, KXIP have slipped to the second-last position on the points table, accelerated by defeats in the last four games.

With 12 points from 13 matches and a net run rate of -0.490, KXIP need nothing less than a miracle to make it to the final four. The R Ashwin-led side needs to win by a huge margin and hope Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kolkata Knight Riders lose their respective matches over this weekend.

“I don’t think it really matters whether you come fifth or eighth. The idea is to get into the playoffs. You are either in or you are out…we will evaluate tomorrow whether we have had a successful season or not,” said KXIP head coach Brad Hodge.

OPENERS MATTER

For KXIP, a lot will depend on their opening pair of KL Rahul and Chris Gayle, and Purple Cap holder Andrew Tye would once again be expected to deliver the goods. However, it is the middle order that is of concern.

Some surprising decisions like sending Axar Patel ahead of Yuvraj Singh and Manoj Tiwary while chasing a stiff target against Mumbai Indians in the previous game, or sending Ashwin at No 3, have backfired.

The contest does provide KXIP to conjure up an inspirational performance. But the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium — CSK’s adopted home ground — has proved to be a lucky venue for the Dhoni-led team.

Chennai have won four out of five matches at Pune ever since they moved their base here. They have qualified for the playoffs, and will look to fire knowing they need a win to finish in the top two.