Kings XI Punjab playing their opening game at there new venue Maharashtra #cricket Association Stadium, Pune. The MCA stadium was home to the Pune Warriors, a team that no longer plays in the Indian Premier League. It hosted the first match in April 2012 when Pune Warriors played against Kings XI Punjab. Rajasthan Royal on paper not so much impact players Like Kings XI Punjab.But they have very good local talent. Shane Watson Leading Rajasthan Royal and Kings XI Punjab leading by Australia Team Skeeper George Bailey. Last season, Murali Vijay’s signing adds meat to the top-order. The Test-match regular will look to put in some solid performances and get back in the reckoning for a spot in the limited overs national side as well. Manan Vohra and Wriddhiman Saha, who shared an excellent partnership, in the IPL final in 2014 complete the formidable batting line up. KXIP has strong batting line up in this format of game with Virender Sehwag, Glenn Maxwell, David Miller, they have three proven match-winners.
The Mitchell Johnson-led bowling attack creates a fine balance for the team Kings XI Punjab dramatically missed out on a play-off spot by losing to the Mumbai Indians in the last league match. This time though they will be looking to make it to the last 4 stage, and they have made some minor addition to the squad. While Ajinkya Rahane’s stocks as an international cricketer has grown by leaps and bounds since the last tournament, the team’s performances will largely depend on how the troika of Shane Watson, Steve Smith and James Faulkner fare. Much hinges on where skipper Watson chooses to bat. Will the presence of an in-form Steve Smith in the middle-order force Watson to take his place at the top of the order? RR will also hope that promising keeper-batsman Sanju Samson, who had a breakthrough season in 2013 before fading away slightly last year, has a solid season.
RR Probable XI: Ajinkya Rahane, Karun Nair, Shane Watson(c), Steve Smith, Sanju Samson(wk), James Faulkner, Stuart Binny, Abhishek Nayar/Rajat Bhatia, Dhawal Kulkarni, Tim Southee, Pravin Tambe
KXIP Probable XI: Virender Sehwag, Murali Vijay, Manan Vohra, Glenn Maxwell, George Bailey (c), David Miller, Wriddhiman Saha(wk), Mitchell Johnson, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Sandeep Sharma/Parvinder Awana
This Article is written by Intern Ravi Jha.