Kings XI Punjab face Rajasthan Royals in the 50th league match of the season in IPL 2020 in Abu Dhabi on October 30, Friday. Both teams are coming into this game on the back of commendable wins in their last game. While KXIP beat KKR, Royals rode on the back of a Ben Stokes ton to humble Mumbai Indians. This match is of immense importance for both teams. While KXIP are looking for their sixth straight win, RR are looking to get to 12 points to stay in the hunt for the playoffs.
Kings XI Punjab are going through a purple patch in their season in the second half of the tournament. They have found ways to win and since then have become unstoppable. The inclusion of Chris Gayle has turned out to be a major boost for the side, as the Universe Boss has been anchoring wins for his team. KL Rahul and Mandeep Singh (since Mayank Agarwal got injured). Gayle, Mandeep and Rahul have done most of the scoring for them as they have looked deadly dangerous for other teams.
Their bowling has looked sharp as well. Chris Jordan after a couple of bad outings has looked sharp. Mohammed Shami has got 20 wickets in the season already and at times has looked unplayable with his pace and movement off the track. Their spinners Ravi Bishnoi and Murugan Ashwin have done a good job for them so far as well.
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Kings XI Punjab vs Rajasthan Royals – Round 2
Rajasthan Royals, are in a must-win situation now having to win all the games. Their last game against Mumbai Indians was just the perfect game for them. Ben Stokes and Sanju Samson flourished, much to the relief of the Royals fans. They would hope that the two continue on their merry way. Steve Smith, Jos Buttler and Robin Uthappa need to find their touch as well.
Jofra Archer has been their spearhead in the season so far. He has taken 17 wickets. Rahul Tewatia and Shreyas Gopal have controlled things in the middle overs. With their last two matches being must-win games, they have to continue their good work.
Head to Head
In the 20 matches played between both teams, Rajasthan have won 11 games, while Kings XI Punjab nine. Rajasthan beat Punjab by four wickets when both the teams met in the first leg, almost a month ago.
Pitch & Weather Conditions
Rajasthan Royals are back in Abu Dhabi where they beat Mumbai Indians in their previous game, chasing. KXIP also chased and won against KKR. However, with Abu Dhabi being a big ground and due playing its part, both teams will look to bat in the first half, set a big score and try defending it.
Team News
Both teams having registered comprehensive wins in their previous games, would like to keep their playing XI intact. This means another chance for Mandeep Singh at the top and Glenn Maxwell in the middle-order.
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Squads
Kings XI Punjab
Lokesh Rahul (C), Harpreet Brar, Ishan Porel, Mandeep Singh, James Neesham, Tajinder Singh, Chris Jordan, Karun Nair, Deepak Hooda, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Glenn Maxwell, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Sarfaraz Khan, Sheldon Cottrell, Mayank Agarwal, Mohammed Shami, Darshan Nalkande, Nicholas Pooran, Chris Gayle, Murugan Ashwin, Jagadeesha Suchith, Krishnappa Gowtham, Hardus Viljoen, Simran Singh
Rajasthan Royals
Steven Smith (C) Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes, Sanju Samson (wk), Andrew Tye, Kartik Tyagi, Ankit Rajpoot, Shreyas Gopal, Rahul Tewatia, Jaydev Unadkat, Mayank Markande, Mahipal Lomror, Oshane Thomas, Riyan Parag, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Anuj Rawat, Akash Singh, David Miller, Manan Vohra, Shashank Singh, Varun Aaron, Tom Curran, Robin Uthappa, Aniruddha Joshi, Jofra Archer
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