With the top-four berth already in their bags, the Kings XI Punjab play would look to continue their winning momentum as they take on a struggling Mumbai Indians in their first IPL-7 match at their home ground in Mohali on Wednesday.
With the top-four berth already in their bags, the Kings XI Punjab play would look to continue their winning momentum as they take on a struggling Mumbai Indians in their first IPL-7 match at their home ground in Mohali on Wednesday. Punjab, who have been riding high on confidence after steamrolling almost every other side in the IPL this season, will be looking to add another victory and too in front of their home crowd as they Men in Red try to put themselves in a commanding position as the IPL-7 heads towards the closing stages.
Punjab defeated the Delhi Daredevils on Monday that made them go top team this season not for the first time. Unlike in the past few seasons where Punjab heavily relied on individual performances, the good thing this season has been that the side have struck the right balance. While Glenn Maxwell has been the side`s star performer, the likes of Sandeep Sharma and Manan Vohra in the batting department and Akshar Patel in the bowling have shown their talent on the big stage.
The inclusion of Virender Sehwag at the top has benefitted the youngsters, allowing skipper George Bailey on occasions to enjoy his team`s batting show from the sidelines. In the bowling department, Punjab medium pacer Sandeep Sharma has thoroughly enjoyed this season of the IPL while Beuran Hendricks, a South African fast bowler, did put up a good show in his last outing.
Mumbai Indians could be asking for a lot to do even after beating the Rajasthan Royals in their last game at Ahmedabad. They have won just four games out of the 11 they have played so far as they would look to bank on yet another show from Lendl Simons and Mike Hussey, who showed great maturity in the Royals game.
The PCA track always had something for the bowlers and that should be good news for the likes of Kieron Pollard, Jasprit Bumrah and company. Spinner Harbhajan Singh returns to his homeland and will have to use the conditions to his side’s best use. Sri Lankan Lasith Malinga, a top wicket taker in the competition, is away on international duty.
The Teams
Kings XI Punjab: George Bailey (c), Virender Sehwag, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, David Miller, Akshar Patel, Thisara Perera, Cheteshwar Pujara, Wriddhiman Saha, Manan Vohra, Anureet Singh, Parvinder Awana, Lakshmipathy Balaji, Rishi Dhawan, Gurkeerat Singh Mann, Beuran Hendricks, Mitchell Johnson, Karanveer Singh, Murali Kartik, Mandeep Singh, Sandeep Sharma, Shivam Sharma, Shardul Thakur.
Mumbai Indians: Rohit Sharma (c), Corey Anderson, Jasprit Bumrah, Marchant de Lange, Ben Dunk, Chidhambaram Gautam, Shreyas Gopal, Harbhajan Singh, Josh Hazlewood, Michael Hussey, Praveen Kumar, Lasith Malinga, Sushant Marathe, Pragyan Ojha, Kieron Pollard, Ambati Rayudu, Krishmar Santokie, Lendl Simmons, Pawan Suyal, Aditya Tare, Apoorv Wankhade.
