Photo credit: BCCI/IPLT20.com

It has been a good one week of rest for Kings XI Punjab, and the side has had ample time to regroup and rejuvenate after the loss against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Now shifting bases to Indore for four more home matches, KXIP will host Mumbai Indians in their next VIVO Indian Premier League outing, where the home team will be partaking in a green initiative campaign.

Aamne Saamne

If there were ever a contest where both parties are at par, it’s this one. Though there is nothing separating the two sides at the moment, an in-form KXIP side will be looking for a win to kick-start their run of matches at the Holkar Stadium in Indore.

Batting de Baadshah

Scoring runs at an impressive strike rate of 170.70 while opening the batting for KXIP, Lokesh Rahul has been one of the most impressive and consistent batsmen this year. With a high score of 60 and an average of 38.28, he will be raring to go against MI.

Coming off the back of a stellar domestic season, Suryakumar Yadav has carried on his form for Mumbai Indians in the IPL too. Initially starting off in the middle order, Yadav has been promoted to open the batting, and has made that spot his own to become the highest scoring uncapped player this season.

Bowling de Kings

Bowling in difficult phases of an innings, Andrew Tye has the knack of slowing down the flow of runs and also picking up wickets at just the right time. With an economy rate of 7.78, Tye complements the other pacers like Ankit Rajpoot, Barinder Sran and Mohit Sharma, and has been the focal point of the KXIP pace attack.

One of the five bowlers tied at 11 wickets for the Purple Cap, Mayank Markande has taken the IPL by storm in his debut season. The young leg spinner has shown his proficiency with both his stock leg-break and the googly, and even the best of batsmen have found it hard to face him.

Mudde ki Baat

After a week’s rest, KXIP will be itching to get back on the field and play some quality cricket in front of the Indore crowd that will serve as the home venue for four matches. With 5 wins from 7 matches, the sher-e-Punjab are in a good position to qualify for the Playoffs, but after a overwhelming defeat against SRH in the last match, regaining some momentum will be key.

MI have been having a torrid season so far, winning just 2 of their 8 matches this season. They have put up some good individual performances, but when it comes to a collective effort, they have been found wanting. But with 6 wins needed from as many games for a chance to qualify for the Playoffs, MI are at their most dangerous right now.

Yaad Rakhiyo

• With 282 runs, Rohit Sharma is the highest run-scorer in this tie among current players
• Marcus Stoinis’ career best bowling figures in T20s of 4/15 came against MI
• No fielder has taken more catches than Kieron Pollard in this tie – 14
• Mohit Sharma has 8 wickets from 4 matches in this KXIP vs MI contest 

From the Lion’s Mouth

“I highly anticipate that Indore will get behind this team. - Brad Hodge

Who could play?

KL Rahul (wk), Chris Gayle, Mayank Agarwal, Karun Nair, David Miller, Yuvraj Singh, Ravichandran Ashwin (c), Andrew Tye, Ankit Rajpoot, Mohit Sharma, Mujeeb Ur Rahman

It will be a fresh wicket at the Holkar Stadium, so it will be interesting to see how the pitch plays out. With a week’s rest too, players would have had enough time to recover from any possible niggles or fatigue. Don’t expect too many changes, but one or two names might change from the match against SRH.

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.