The quest for their second half fightback takes Kings XI Punjab back to the Dubai International Stadium on Tuesday, October 20 where they will take on table toppers Delhi Capitals. Both sides have gone on different tangents since they played each other in their opening games of the 2020 Dream11 Indian Premier League, as Delhi have won seven of the first nine games, while KXIP have managed just three. 

Nevertheless, both sides head into this game after getting morale-boosting wins and will be looking to build on that momentum come Tuesday. 

Aamne Saamne

Kings XI Punjab have a better head-to-head record against Delhi Capitals, and have managed to do the double over their Northern rivals in two of the last three seasons. Nevertheless, Delhi Capitals have won the past two encounters between these two sides, and have been the team to beat so far in IPL 2020. 

Batting de Baadshah

KL Rahul has made batting look so effortless this season in the IPL. The 28-year-old has more than a 100 run lead over the second placed player for the Orange Cap, and has been in sublime form so far in the competition. He has got three consecutive fifties and has won the Man of the Match accolade for two continuous games. 

Shikhar Dhawan scored his first IPL century in his last game, helping his franchise chase down a big score against Chennai Super Kings. The left-handed batsman started the tournament slowly, but has picked up form in the second half of the tournament, getting two fifties and a ton so far. Dhawan got a match-winning fifty against KXIP in 2019, and Delhi fans would hope for that patch to continue come Tuesday.

Bowling de Kings

Mohammed Shami nailed his yorkers against Mumbai Indians to give his side a much needed win and lift them out of the bottom of the table. The Indian pacer has been a big part of KXIP’s bowling success this season, and would be very high on confidence heading into the next game against Delhi. KXIP’s death bowling has improved significantly in the past couple of matches, and Anil Kumble would hope that trend continues for his franchise. 

Kagiso Rabada is the current Purple Cap holder with 19 wickets so far in the competition. The pacer from South Africa has been sensational in the death overs for the Delhi Capitals, picking up crucial wickets while maintaining a good economy rate of just over seven. Alongside countryman Anrich Nortje, Rabada would be the main threat for KXIP come Tuesday. 

Mudde di Baat

Delhi Capitals have been the side to beat this season in the Indian Premier League. With seven wins in the first nine games, Shreyas Iyer’s side are favourites to make it to the playoffs as things currently stand. Kings XI Punjab on the other hand had a poor start to IPL 2020, and need to win at least four of their next five games to qualify for the playoffs. 

Yaad Rakhiyo

• Mohammed Shami’s strike rate and average has been the best this season compared to any of his other IPL season.
• KL Rahul is the first player in the history of the IPL to score 500 plus runs in three consecutive seasons. 
• Mayank Agarwal has the best strike rate for an opener in IPL 2020. 

Probable XI

KL Rahul (c and wk), Chris Gayle, Mayank Agarwal, Nicholas Pooran, Glenn Maxwell, Deepak Hooda, Chris Jordan, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammed Shami, Murugan Ashwin, Arshdeep Singh

Playing at the same venue again, Kings XI Punjab wouldn’t want to change their winning combination. Their batsmen have started performing and bowlers too have been hitting their mark more often than not, so it would be unlikely to expect changes unless there is a late injury. 

NOTE: The aforementioned line-up is an educated guess at best, and the final decision rests with the captain and the team management depending on various external factors.