Kings calling for Challengers
If one was to go by big name players and squad strength, then few would look past Kings XI Punjab. Brimming with proven Indian Premier League stars from top to bottom, they are a sure pick as one of the favourites.
But as the saying goes, matches are not won on paper.
The fall from grace for the last season’s IPL finalists has been as catastrophic as it has been spectacular and the Punjab side will enter the lush green of the cricket stadium for the 10th time this season, seeking only their third win, when they take on Royal Challengers Bangalore at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium here on Wednesday.
The Challengers too have been blighted by inconsistency, albeit of lesser magnitude, and will be looking to bounce back from their loss to Chennai Super Kings, which in no small part was brought on by a phenomenal run out of captain Virat Kohli by Dwayne Bravo in a pure show of athleticism.
Having seemingly found footing with the arrival of fast bowler Mitchell Starc, the Vijay Mallya- owned side, who are still in the coveted top four, now have problems at the other end of the line- up.
The inconsistency and fitness battles of Chris Gayle, who has sat out both matches against CSK, and a woeful performance from their second choice opener Nic Maddinson, whose swings more often than not fanned the ball, are cause of concern.
The uninspiring efforts of Dinesh Karthik, who was brought in for stability down the order further adds to it.
Kohli and AB de Villiers have broad enough shoulders to carry the batting and the recent exploits of Mandeep Singh, who revealed glimpses of the form he showed three years ago, and the unconventional Sarfaraz Khan will, meanwhile, give the home side hope.
But their over- dependence on individual brilliance rather than team effort could be the Achilles heel for the side.
Meanwhile, with their backs against the wall, Kings XI has little option but to go for a win if they are to keep even the slightest of chances of qualifying, meagre as it is, for the knockout stages alive.
Even more dangerously, the travelling side might just try to hurt other’s chances in their attempt to end their season on a high.
Packed with explosive batsmen in Glenn Maxwell, David Miller and captain George Bailey, all of whom have been out of sorts this season, as well as fiery pacer Mitchell Johnson, the Punjab side are capable of taking apart any opposition.
While it has been reasonably pleasant weather of late, the uncanny precision in which the rain clouds arrive on RCB’s match days could be a worrying factor for the cricket enthusiasts in the city.