IPL 2018, KXIP vs MI: Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) predicted XI against Mumbai Indians (MI)
After a week-long break, the Kings XI Punjab move to their adopted home in Indore, where they will take on the defending champions, Mumbai Indians.
Having won four games on the bounce, KXIP's winning streak came to a screeching halt against SRH when they failed to chase down 133 last week.
On that note, let us look at the probable playing eleven that KXIP is likely to field against the Mumbai Indians.
#1 KL Rahul (Wicket-Keeper)
Opening the batting will be KL Rahul. Rahul, who stroked a 16-ball 51 in the first match against Delhi has been in excellent touch in this season and has already accumulated 268 runs at a strike-rate of 170.70.
#2 Chris Gayle
The Universe Boss missed out in the last match against SRH but has been in swashbuckling form this season, having already scored two fifties and a hundred in four games.
With 252 runs at a strike-rate of 161.53, in just four games, Gayle will be relishing the opportunity of playing on a relatively small Holkar stadium, and we could be in for a treat in the match against Mumbai Indians.
#3 Mayank Agarwal
In at No. 3 will be Mayank Agarwal. Agarwal, who came into the tournament with an astounding domestic season under him, has not yet set the stage on fire in the 2018 edition thus far.
Guilty of throwing his wicket away at crucial stages of the game, Agarwal has managed to accumulate just 105 runs at an average of 17.50.
#4 Karun Nair
Coming in at No. 5 will be Karun Nair. The Karnataka batsman has carried his rich vein of form from the domestic season into the IPL, chipping in with handy cameos, and has accumulated 186 runs at an average of 31.00 and strike-rate of 127.39.
#5 Manoj Tiwary
A string of disappointing performances from Yuvraj Singh resulted in Manoj Tiwary being slotted in the playing eleven against the Sunrisers Hyderabad.
While he made just a solitary one off five balls, he's expected to get another chance by the team management. Punjab's nemesis has been their misfiring middle-order and Tiwary's performance might just define their campaign moving forward.
#6 Marcus Stoinis
With just 24 runs in six matches, it is fair to say that Aaron Finch has not been in the best of form in Vivo IPL 2018. While they do have David Miller in the mix, the southpaw has not been in the best of form off-late, hence KXIP might rope in all-rounder Marcus Stoinis in the fixture against Mumbai Indians.
A potent all-rounder, Stoinis has thus far featured in two games this season, where he accumulated 33 runs and went wicketless.
#7 Ravichandran Ashwin (Captain)
In at No. 7 will be KXIP's skipper Ravi Ashwin. While Ashwin's captaincy has played an important role in the team's performance in the league thus far, he has struggled to take wickets in the middle-overs and have just received five wickets at an average of 44.80.
#8 Mujeeb Ur Rahman
17-year-old Mujeeb ur Rahman continues to grow by leaps and bounds in the IPL. With a plethora of variations at his disposal, the Afghan bowler has managed to deceive batsmen with guile. He has picked up seven wickets at an average of 25.14, at an enviable economy of 6.51.
#9 Barinder Sran
While his bowling at the death has been excellent, Sran has been pretty expensive in the powerplay overs, and with three wickets in five matches, he will be looking to improve his performance in the next game against the Mumbai Indians.
Having picked up just three wickets in five matches at an economy of 9.52, Sran needs to step-up in the match against Mumbai Indians in a bid to keep his place in the side.
#10 Ankit Rajpoot
Coming in as a replacement for Mohit Sharma, Rajpoot bowled brilliantly against DD, accounting for Prithvi Shaw (22) and Glenn Maxwell (12), to reduce the Daredevils to 2-41 inside the first five overs.
Rajpoot continued his rich vein of form against SRH, as he ripped through the Williamson-led Hyderabad batting unit and recorded figures of 5-14 - the best figures by an uncapped Indian bowler.
#11 Andrew Tye
One overseas bowler that has stood out in this season thus far has been Andrew Tye. Tye has been the go-to bowler for Ashwin at the death, and is certain to lead the attack once again against Mumbai Indians.
The Australian has been an important component of KXIP's fast-bowling department, and has accounted for nine wickets at an average of 24.22 and a strike-rate of 18.66.
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