IPL 2018, Match 18: Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) predicted XI to face Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
On the back of a superlative hundred from Chris Gayle (104 off 63 balls), the Kings XI Punjab halted Sunrisers Hyderabad winning streak as they defeated the 2016 IPL champions by 15 runs.
With 3 wins in 4 games, the Kings XI Punjab unit looks confident as ever and they'd be looking to carry on the momentum to the iconic Eden Gardens, where they take on Kolkata Knight Riders on April 21.
Having said that, here's a look at the possible line-up that KXIP might field against KKR:
#1 KL Rahul (Wicket-Keeper)
Rahul lit up the IPL with the tournament's fastest fifty
Rahul struggled for timing in the previous game with an 18 run knock off 21 balls and would be looking to put the indifferent performance behind him against KKR.
#2 Chris Gayle
The Universe Boss stroked his way to a swashbuckling T20 hundred, his 5th IPL ton, and overall his 21st. Gayle stroked a masterly 104 off just 63 balls (1 fours and 11 sixes) to power KXIP to a formidable 3-193 against RR in the last encounter.
#3 Mayank Agarwal
In at No.3 will be Mayank Agarwal. Agarwal was yet again looking good in the previous game against SRH (18 off 9 balls), before giving away his wicket against a complete run of play.
#4 Aaron Finch
The cornerstone of KXIP's batting line-up, Aaron Finch finally got off the mark in Vivo IPL 2018, after having suffered two golden ducks. Finch played a cameo of 14 off just 6 balls against SRH and would be looking to build on it in the next match against KKR.
#5 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 to the IPL and he continues to chip away with another cameo of 31 against SRH.
#6 Yuvraj Singh
Having failed to perform in the tournament so far, Yuvraj will look to get going in the next match. He will have to pull up his socks or else he might be dropped for the upcoming matches.
#7 Ravi Ashwin (Captain)
Ashwin had a rare off day with the ball as he went for 53 runs in his four overs, and the KXIP skipper would be looking to step up his performance against KKR.
#8 Mujib Ur Rahman
In a game where the spinners in Rashid, Shakib and his fellow teammate Ashwin went in excess of 10 runs per over, the young 17-year-old Mujib conceded just 27 off his 4 overs, thus putting a stranglehold on SRH batting.
#9 Barinder Sran
With a plethora of variations at his disposal, Barinder testified his potential to the hilt as his nagging line and length squeezed the life out of SRH's chase. Sran gave away just 22 runs in his quota of 4 overs and ultimately proved to be the difference between the two sides in the end.
#10 Mohit Sharma
The vile fast bowler, though expensive (2-51 in 4 overs), picked up wickets at crucial junctures against SRH and is expected to lead the attack against KKR.
#11 Andrew Tye
The vile Australian had another good outing as his nagging line and length coupled with a plethora of variations did not allow SRH to run away with the chase. Tye conceded just 23 runs in his quota of 4 overs and picked up two crucial wickets to peg the momentum of SRH's innings.