Kings XI Punjab would look for some consistency when they come up against Rajasthan Royals at PCA Stadium on Tuesday. KXIP have had a mixed bag of results so far in the tournament and are sitting at the fifth spot with four wins and as many losses. Ashwin is definitely feeling the heat, as it seems the mistakes of last year are being repeated. They must make sure they have the right combination here to see off the opponents.
Meanwhile, Rajasthan Royals come into the fixture riding high on the confidence of a spectacular win against Mumbai Indians. They would be looking to repeat the last performance again, although Jos Buttler needs more support from those around him. As of now, the English opener is the one who has been carrying RR batting.
In the context of the tournament, the fixture has a major significance for both the sides. A loss for KXIP will make it extremely difficult for them to get back in the top-half of the table while RR defeat would mean they face improbable task ahead to make top-4.
Form Guide (last five fixtures, recent first):
KXIP – L L W L W
RR – W L L W L
Hardus Viljoen missed the last game through illness. If fit, he can come in for Andrew Tye. Mujeeb Ur Raham and Moses Henriques are also in contention.
Kings XI Punjab – KL Rahul, Chris Gayle, Mayank Agarwal, Sarfaraz Khan, Mandeep Singh, Nicholas Pooran (wk), Sam Curran, Andrew Tye/Hardus Viljoen, R Ashwin, Mohammed Shami, M Ashwin
Ben Stokes was not a part of Royals’ last game. If fit, he will come in for Liam Livingstone.
Rajasthan Royals – Ajinkya Rahane, Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson (wk), Steven Smith, Rahul Tripathi, Ben Stokes/Liam Livingstone/Ashton Turner, Shreyas Gopal, Jofra Archer, K Gowtham, Jaydev Unadkat, Dhawal Kulkarni
Team 1,2,3,4 Less chosen captains – The likes of Sanju Samson, Rahul Tripathi, Mayank Agarwal and Sarfaraz Khan are among the less chosen captains. If the favourites fail, who knows they’ll get going.
Wicket-keeper: Sanju Samson (C)
Batsmen: Chris Gayle, Mayank Agarwal (VC), Ajinkya Rahane, Steven Smith, Jos Buttler
All-rounders: Ravichandran Ashwin
Bowlers: Mohammad Shami, Dhawal Kulkarni, Shreyas Gopal, Jofra Archer
Wicket-keeper: KL Rahul (VC)
Batsmen: Chris Gayle, Mayank Agarwal, Ajinkya Rahane, Jos Buttler, Rahul Tripathi (C)
All-rounders: Ravichandran Ashwin
Bowlers: Mohammad Shami, Dhawal Kulkarni, Shreyas Gopal, Jaydev Unadkat
Wicket-keeper: KL Rahul
Batsmen: Chris Gayle, Mayank Agarwal (C), Sarfaraz Khan (VC), Steven Smith, Jos Buttler
All-rounders: Ravichandran Ashwin
Bowlers: Mohammad Shami, Dhawal Kulkarni, Shreyas Gopal, Jaydev Unadkat
Wicket-keeper: Sanju Samson (VC)
Batsmen: Chris Gayle, Sarfaraz Khan (C), Ajinkya Rahane, Steven Smith, Jos Buttler
All-rounders: Ravichandran Ashwin
Bowlers: Mohammad Shami, Dhawal Kulkarni, Shreyas Gopal, Jofra Archer
Team 5,6 This game could swing one way or the other completely. We are choosing sides with 7 players from one side and 4 from the other side here
Wicket-keeper: Sanju Samson
Batsmen: Chris Gayle, Mayank Agarwal, Ajinkya Rahane (VC), Steven Smith, Jos Buttler (C)
All-rounders: Ravichandran Ashwin
Bowlers: Mohammad Shami, Dhawal Kulkarni, Shreyas Gopal, Jofra Archer
Wicket-keeper: KL Rahul (VC)
Batsmen: Chris Gayle (C), Mayank Agarwal, Mandeep Singh, Steven Smith, Jos Buttler
All-rounders: Ravichandran Ashwin
Bowlers: Mohammad Shami, Jaydev Unadkat, Shreyas Gopal, Jofra Archer