IPL 2019, Match 52: KXIP vs KKR – It’s all about qualification!
12 matches. 5 wins. 7 losses. The race to playoffs is on! The Kings XI Punjab and Kolkata Knight Riders kick started the tournament with some convincing victories but soon lost steam towards the end of the league stage. As they head into their reverse fixture, both teams will be itching to jump up the points table for a shot at the Top 4. The Chennai Super Kings have sealed their top spot while the Delhi Capitals have almost confirmed their no.2 berth (unless they lose badly against the Rajasthan Royals and other teams cash in). Never has the IPL table been so wide open that the last two places are yet to be set in stone.
Head-to-Head Statistics in IPL
Overall: 24 | KKR: 16, KXIP: 8
The Kolkata Knight Riders enjoy a magnificent lead over Kings XI Punjab in the overall head-to-head statistics since 2008. They also drew first blood in their home game against KXIP this season. However, at Mohali, the stats are well-balanced. Both teams have won 3 matches each in their 6 encounters at this venue. Add to it, KXIP’s win rate at their home ground is 56% and the fact that KKR’s last win at Mohali came way back in 2015.
Toss Decisions in Mohali in IPL 2019
Bat 1st – 0 | Bat 2nd – 5
Captains opting to chase after winning the toss has become a common phenomenon in IPL. And it has been on prominent display in Mohali, where all 5 decisions have been to bowl first. Interestingly, 3 results have ended in favour of teams batting second. R Ashwin and Dinesh Karthik will have this in mind as they step out for the all-important toss.
Players to Watch Out
David Miller (KXIP): With 199 runs, the explosive South African batsman is the leading run-scorer for his team against KKR. However, Miller’s blown hot and cold in yet another season with a few noteworthy innings to boast of. His inconsistency has also meant that he has been in and out of the Playing XI far too often. KXIP need to retain their faith in him and give him a longer rope, especially in crunch games. On a day when Chris Gayle and KL Rahul both fail, he could be the glue to hold the middle-order together.
Robbie Uthappa (KKR): Another player who’s had a silent IPL season so far is Robbie Uthappa. Surprisingly, he has scored the most runs (416) for his side against KXIP. However, he has looked rather out of touch throughout the tournament. Uthappa is a vital cog in an otherwise shaky KKR top order. His return to form could boost the team’s chances even further. Though, his batting position is something that the team management shouldn’t tamper with.
Key Battles
All eyes will be on the Universe Boss! Image courtesy: IPLT20
Gayle vs Russell: 93 runs from 69 balls, Dismissals 4, S/R 134.8
Andre Russell has dismissed Chris Gayle 4 times. Gayle on the other hand, has had a strike rate of less than 150 against his Caribbean compatriot. It wouldn’t be a bad move to get Russell to bowl to Gayle inside the Powerplay and put pressure on the batsman straightaway.
Gayle vs Narine: 110 runs from 115 balls, Dismissals 4, S/R 95.7
Gayle’s record against Sunil Narine is equally questionable. KKR have a plethora of options in their bowling stack to negate the Gaylestorm. Given Narine usually bowls in the Powerplay, it’s a win-win situation for the Knight Riders. As they say, when you get Gayle, you’ve won half the battle!
Miller vs Narine: 42 runs from 33 balls, Dismissals 0, S/R 150
The KXIP batsman has had an upper hand against Narine and is yet to be dismissed. Going after Narine from the word go would be a good idea for Miller.
