Although Kings XI Punjab had a tough time in their first match of IPL 2020, KL Rahul would like to move on with set overseas players on the side. For Royal Challengers Bangalore, on the other hand, claiming another win keeping the winning combination intact is the goal.
Kings XI Punjab
Glenn Maxwell scored just one run before being dismissed as part of a KXIP collapse in their first encounter of the season. He would like to forget the outing and get ready for his battle against Yuzvendra Chahal. Coming from a good series against England, the big hitter Maxwell would like to go for few big knocks in IPL.
Nicholas Pooran failed for a duck in the first KXIP match. But most of the KXIP batters failed to deliver in the match against Delhi Capitals. Based on that one innings it would not be right to crop him out of the combination. Moreover, he had a decent CPL 2020 a few days back.
Chris Jordan had a terrible start in IPL 2020. He was the most expensive bowler of the KXIP unit last time out. In four overs he gave away 56 runs with no success. However, 30 of those runs came in the last over when Marcus Stonis went berserk. Jordan is generally considered to be a good death bowler in the T20 circuit and expected to deliver.
Sheldon Cottrell amid all their overseas inclusion had a good run in the opening KXIP match. He was the second most successful bowler with two wickets for 24 runs in four overs to his name. Coming from CPL 2020, he is match-fit which is another reason of keeping Cottrell in the side.
Royal Challengers Bangalore
Aaron Finch looked in shape in the first RCB game. He began with a pair of sixes and ended up with a decent 29 to his name. Moreover, he went on to develop a partnership of 90 runs with the young Devdutt Padikkal. His guidance on the field also worked for the youngster which was evident by his performance.
Josh Philippe was preferred over Parthiv Patel in the first match by the RCB team management. He got only two balls to bat. Without changing the winning team combination, Kohli would like to give Philippe the platform for few matches to showcase what he is able of. Philippe, as a finisher could be a good option at the slog overs.
AB de Villiers started the campaign with a nice fifty and maintained a strike rate of 170 in the first fixture. He is one of the batting mainstays for RCB along with the skipper Kohli. With the small boundary in Sharjah ground he should focus to add more shots to his tally and help RCB maintain the good run.
Virat Kohli would like to continue with the veteran overseas member of the team, Dale Steyn. Dale Steyn brings experience and depth to the bowling unit. He looked good and took one wicket as well conceding 33 runs in 3.4 overs. Dale Steyn should not be missed especially with Chris Morris being injured.
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