After a clinical performance against three time VIVO Indian Premier League winners Mumbai Indians, the Shers now turn their attention to Monday when they welcome Delhi Capitals to Mohali. With both the Northern teams tied at four points apiece after three games, the game at the IS Bindra Stadium promises to be a closely contested one, with the winner strengthening their grip on the top four in the early stages of the competition.

Photo: SPORTZPICS

Aamne Saamne

Not only do Kings XI Punjab hold the edge when it comes to the head to head record, but they also managed to do the double over their Northern neighbours last season. They would therefore be hopeful of pipping the Delhi Capitals once again and extending their unbeaten run at Mohali to six games.

Delhi Capitals on the other hand are fresh off a dramatic Super Over victory over the Kolkata Knight Riders and would now be targeting a second consecutive win to build some momentum in the early stages of the competition.

Batting da Baadshah

The Universe Boss has carried his International form into the IPL, emerging as the leading run getter for Kings XI Punjab this season after three games. In the game against Mumbai, Gayle also achieved the feat of becoming the first player to record 300 sixes in the tournament, with second on the list AB de Villiers trailing him more than a hundred sixes.

For visitors Delhi, their main batsman this season has been the 19-year-old Prithvi Shaw. He was very unlucky to miss out on being the youngest player in IPL history to score a ton when he was dismissed for 99 in their previous game, but his runs helped the Capitals get on par against Kolkata. Heading into Mohali, Delhi Capitals would be hoping for Shaw to fire once again if they are to win at that ground for the first time since 2010.

Bowling de Kings

For Kings XI, pacer Mohammed Shami has been their go to man this season. Although he has proved expensive at times, his exceptional death bowling coupled with his knack of picking up timely wickets has made him a valuable weapon in the home side’s arsenal.

Delhi Capitals were rescued by a brilliant Rabada performance in the Super Over when the pacer managed to bowl six accurate Yorkers and get his team across the line. Apart from his ability to hit the blockhole consistently, the Protean speedster is also joint top with Yuzvendra Chahal for most number of wickets this season as well.

Mudde ki Baat

Both teams are coming off the back of good starts to their campaigns; and wouldn’t want to concede even an inch when they lock horns on Monday. A win for either side will leave them on six points after four games; and on the right side of the leader-board as the league table begins to take shape.

Kings XI will be delighted with KL Rahul’s return to form, bringing back memories of last season when the Karnataka batsman was the side’s top run getter. The team would also be encouraged by their home support; and would be keen to stretch their unbeaten record at Mohali to five straight games.

Delhi Capitals needed to get past a nervy Super Over to end Kolkata Knight Riders’ unbeaten start to the season. Following on from there, the batting of Shreyas Iyer and Shaw coupled with the tidy death bowling of Rabada holds the key to stopping KXIP’s home streak. Delhi Capitals though must be wary of Mohali’s longer boundaries and turning tracks; and tweak their team accordingly.

Yaad Rakhiyo

• Andrew Tye has the best bowling average of 17.52 in the history of the IPL.
• KL Rahul smashed the fastest fifty in the history of the tournament in this fixture last season.
• Mayank Agarwal has already scored more runs this season than he did in the whole of last season.

Probable XI

Chris Gayle, KL Rahul (wk), Mayank Agarwal, Sarfaraz Khan, David Miller, Mandeep Singh, Ravichandran Ashwin (c), Andrew Tye, Mohammed Shami, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Murugan Ashwin.

After another clinical batting performance, the top six for the Kings XI is unlikely to undergo any changes. However, in the bowling department, Viljoen could give way for Mujeeb to accommodate for an extra spinner on a Mohali track that aided spin on Saturday. Murugan Ashwin, who bowled brilliantly against MI, would be expected to retain his place ahead of Varun Chakravarthy.

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.