After tasting their first win in the Indian Premier League (IPL) on Friday, Kings XI Punjab will be looking to retain the momentum against defending champions Rajasthan Royals at the Newlands on Sunday.
Kings XI are in the lower half of the points table with one win from three matches while mid-table Rajasthan Royals have a win and a tie from three outings.
Kings XI got their act right against Bangalore Royal Challengers Friday night with superb batting and bowling performances. Bowlers Yusuf Abdulla and Irfan Pathan picked up wickets while Ravi Bopara and skipper Yuvraj Singh played some brilliant shots to plot the downfall of the Royal Challengers.
Against Rajasthan Royals, only an all-round performance can help them get full points. The defending champions, under the wily Shane Warne, have been average this time but the Australian has the knack of springing surprises against the opposition at the right time.
On Thursday against Kolkata Knight Riders, Warne unleashed his “wild thing” in Kamran Khan, who helped Rajasthan Royals win the match that was decided by the Super Over.
Kings XI Punjab can surely expect some surprises. Though there isn’t much experience in Rajasthan Royals’ batting, but still, players like Graeme Smith and the big-hitting Yusuf Pathan can sent shivers down the Kings XI bowling line-up.
For Kings XI skipper Yuvraj Singh, bowling has been a matter of concern though the bowlers came good against the Royal Challengers. Yuvraj will be hoping that Pathan and Adbulla repeat their same performance against Royal Challengers.
Warne will also have to tighten some screws in his bowling department. Even though Warne and his “find” Kamran bowled well, there wasn’t much support from the other bowlers and that allowed Knight Riders to drag the match till the Super Over.
The confidence with which Kamran bowled against Knight Riders will put the spotlight on him to give the defending champions a royal win against Kings XI.
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