IPL 2016: KXIP vs MI Playing 11- Today's Probable XI for Kings XI Punjab (Confirmed Playing 11)

Murali Vijay will be key for the hosts

Confirmed Playing 11: Murali Vijay, Manan Vohra, Shaun Marsh, David Miller(c), Glenn Maxwell, Nikhil Naik(w), Axar Patel, Mitchell Johnson, Pardeep Sahu, Mohit Sharma, Sandeep Sharma

Also read: KXIP vs MI Live Scorecard: IPL 2016 Live Score & Commentary of Kings XI Punjab vs Mumbai Indians, Today's IPL Match

Kings XI Punjab plays the Mumbai Indians at the IS Bindra Stadium, Mohali and both the teams are struggling for form this season. They will be aiming for a change of favours when they take on each other. King XI with a single victory from 5 games is in desperate need of a win and they will look to get back to winning ways against Mumbai.

Also read: IPL 2016 Match 21: KXIP vs MI Playing 11- Today's Probable XI for Mumbai Indians

King XI Punjab, finished bottom of the table last season and is struggling at the foot of the table this time around too. The finalist from 2014 edition has struggled this season. The likes of David Miller and Glenn Maxwell are struggling for form. The Kings batting mentor Sehwag will be disappointed with batting display of his boys who have failed to get enough runs on the board this season. The few instances when there have been fighting totals on the board the Kings XI bowlers have failed to make a game out of it.

Also read: KXIP vs MI Match Prediction: Who will win the battle between Kings XI Punjab and Mumbai Indians, IPL 2016, Match 21

Let's see how the Kings from Punjab could possibly line up against Mumbai Indians:

Batsmen: It's highly unlikely that the Kings XI would change their opening pair of Murali Vijay and Manan Vohra, with both of them looking the only batsmen in the Punjab side capable of creating problems for the opposition. Shaun Marsh coming in at Number 3 has got runs under his belt and has generally looked good in the last two games. He seems to be the one most likely to complement the pair of Vijay and Vohra to post a respectable total against Mumbai. 

The Punjab middle-order sees Miller and Maxwell walking in at Number 4 and Number 5 and the pair of them can single-handedly take the game away from the opponent on their day but have struggled for form recently. The burden of captaincy seems to have taken a toll on Miller's batting abilities seeing him score a mere 46 runs from 5 games. Maxwell has done worse scoring only 39 runs in 5 innings.

Also read: KXIP vs MI Live Streaming Online: IPL 2016 Free Live Cricket Streaming of Kings XI Punjab vs Mumbai Indians on StarSports

Nikhil Naik replaced Wriddhiman Saha in the starting 11 in the last game against the Sunrisers and is likely to retain his place against the Mumbai Indians.

All-Rounders: Axar Patel and Rishi Dhawan walking in at no. 7 and 8, are the all-rounders Kings are most likely to field. Axar Patel, the lanky left-arm batsman and orthodox spin bowler from Gujarat has been part of the Punjab squad for 3 years and has been a hit with both bat and ball. He may not look the strongest but Axar can hit the ball a long way.

Dhawan too has been an integral part of the Kings squad since 2014 and his medium pace bowling abilities can be of great value on a seaming pitch in Mohali. Glenn Maxwell may be more famous for his batting prowess but the Aussie can also roll his arm over and bowl some off spin and could be used as a 5th or 6th bowler.

Bowlers:  Mohit and Sandeep Sharma are most likely to head the Punjab bowling attack. Sandeep, who plays his first class cricket for Punjab will be very well accustomed to the wicket and conditions in Mohali. Mohit has played at the stadium on numerous occasions and the conditions and pitch are likely to help both the medium pacers. 

Kyle Abbott has been preferred over Mitchell Johnson in the last 3 games and the South African has tasted little success picking up only a single wicket and have gone for runs with ball at an economy of 10.40 so it won't be surprising if we see the Aussie left-arm pacer making a comeback for the Kings in place of Abbott and Johnson is also handy with the bat.

Final Playing XI: Murali Vijay, Manan Vohra, Shaun Marsh, David Miller (C), Glenn Maxwell, Nikhil Naik, Axar Patel, Rishi Dhawan, Mitchell Johnson, Sandeep Sharma, Mohit Sharma.