Kings XI seek turnaround under new leadership

Sunday, May 1, 2016
Start time 1600 local (1030 GMT)

Kings XI Punjab were at the centre of many indelible moments in the Indian Premier League during their march to the final in 2014. Two years on, they find themselves searching for answers midway through the season despite the same team core.

David Miller's form - 76 runs in six innings this season - has mirrored their struggle. With Kings XI languishing at the bottom of the table, following only one win so far, the axe fell on Miller, as M Vijay was named captain for the remainder of the season. Vijay himself has blown hot and cold with 143 runs in six innings. However, Kings XI's dearth of options and Vijay's past IPL success may have gone in his favour.

The team's problems, though, go much deeper. With the exception of Shaun Marsh, their batsmen have had a forgettable tournament. After five ordinary outings, Glenn Maxwell found form with a half-century in a chase of 190 against Mumbai Indians, but Kings XI need much more than just the odd spark of brilliance. Like their batting, the bowling, too, has looked shallow. Sandeep Sharma is the only bowler in the side with an economy rate of less than seven an over.

Chasing has been the theme of the season and no team has demonstrated that better than Suresh Raina's Gujarat Lions, with five successful chases out of their six wins. Lions' Indian pace contingent has had an important role to play in their success. Dhawal Kulkarni has been sharp in the early overs, while the experienced Praveen Kumar has used slower balls and yorkers to choke batsmen in the end overs. Dwayne Bravo has leaked runs, but has also picked wickets to make up for it.

They are spoilt for choices in the batting department, too. Aaron Finch's untimely injury has resulted in a prolific opening combination between Dwayne Smith and Brendon McCullum. Lions' run rate of 10.14 in the Powerplay is the best for any team in this year's tournament. Dinesh Karthik and Suresh Raina have chipped in with vital contributions, but the blazing starts provided by Smith and McCullum have meant the rest of the batting line-up was only tested in their last-ball win over Rising Pune Supergiants on Friday.

Gujarat Lions WWWLW (last five matches, most recent first)
Kings XI Punjab LLLWL

Mitchell Johnson seems to have lost his bite. The former Australia fast bowler made way for Kyle Abbott in three matches before returning in their previous game against Mumbai, where he conceded 43 runs in four overs. Johnson has the pace to unsettle batsmen, but how effective he will be on a flat, batting track in Rajkot remains to be seen.

Brendon McCullum's belligerence has typified Lions' dominance. Lions rely heavily on their openers and McCullum has played his part despite scoring just one half-century. He has biffed 218 runs in seven outings at a strike rate of 160.29.

With Smith grabbing his opportunity at the top, Finch, who is recovering from a hamstring injury, may have to wait in the sidelines once he is fit. Pravin Tambe, who missed the last game because of a finger injury, could slot back in for chinaman bowler Shivil Kaushik, who conceded 32 in three wicketless overs on debut. Ishan Kishan has struggled for runs and opportunities lower down the order and Lions could be better served by playing an extra bowler. Shadab Jakati could return if the team management decides to take that route.

Gujarat Lions (probable): 1 Dwayne Smith, 2 Brendon McCullum, 3 Suresh Raina (capt), 4 Dinesh Karthik (wk), 5 Dwayne Bravo, 6 Ravindra Jadeja, 7 James Faulkner, 8 Shadab Jakati, 9 Praveen Kumar, 10 Dhawal Kulkarni, 11 Shivil Kaushik/Pravin Tambe

With Miller relieved of his captaincy duties, it remains to be seen if he will still find a place in the side. His South African team-mate Farhaan Behardien could be a potential replacement.

Kings XI Punjab (probable): 1 M Vijay (capt), 2 Manan Vohra, 3 Shaun Marsh, 4 Glenn Maxwell, 5 David Miller/Farhaan Behardien, 6 Nikhil Naik (wk), 7 Axar Patel, 8 Mitchell Johnson, 9 Mohit Sharma, 10 Pardeep Sahu 11 Sandeep Sharma

The sequence of scores so far in Rajkot have been on the higher side. Lions gunned down 164 against Supergiants in 18 overs and Sunrisers Hyderabad knocked off 136 with 31 balls remaining. Even a blistering century from Virat Kohli, the Royal Challengers Bangalore captain, didn't suffice as Lions' batsmen chased down 182 in the previous match at the venue. Temperatures are expected to soar over 40 degrees centigrade, but given the string of successful chases, the team winning the toss might still choose to bowl.