Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) vs Gujarat Lions (GL), IPL 2017, match 47 preview and likely XI: Kings seek crucial win to stay in the hunt

A crucial match awaits Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) as they face Gujarat Lions (GL) in match 47 of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2017. To be played at the Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium, Mohali, a victory in this match will place hosts KXIP among top four. Though GL have been virtually ruled out of the tournament, they will play for pride. This will be the second game of Sunday’s double-header after Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) play Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the former’s home ground in Bengaluru first. Injuries will be a matter of concern for both teams ahead of the action-packed match. Full Cricket Scorecard, Kings XI Punjab vs Gujarat Lions, IPL 2017, Match 47

With South Africa players set to return for national duties, this match might be the last of the season for Hashim Amla and David Miller, if picked. Marcus Stoinis’ injury has ruled him out of the tournament and KXIP will soon have to find replacement for the cricketer. Martin Guptill has made his way to the KXIP team and will be a batsman to watch out for. Skipper Glenn Maxwell and Shaun Marsh strengthen the batting along with Manan Vohra. Wriddhiman Saha’s form has been concerning for the Kings. He has scored 90 runs from 10 matches at 11.25 with his strike rate just being above 109. Meanwhile, injuries have played a big role in hampering GL’s progress this season and the latest casualty is Brendon McCullum. GL will depend upon Dwayne Smith and Aaron Finch as far as overseas batsmen are concerned. Ishan Kishan, Dinesh Karthik and Suresh Raina are in good form and will be expected to shine.

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KXIP’s bowling looks stronger with Sandeep Sharma showing form and consistency. The likes of T Natarajan and Mohit Sharma are there to strengthen the pace-bowling contingent while Varun Aaron is expected to continue playing in place of Ishant Sharma, who has been completely off-colour this season. Maxwell’s bowling has come as a surprise for the Kings. The KXIP skipper has claimed 5 wickets this season at 16.20 and his economy rate reads an excellent 6.23,

The Punjab-based franchise will once again pin their hopes on the all-round brilliance of Akshar Patel, who has contributed very well in every aspect. He has scored runs at 25 with a strike rate close to 150 and claimed 13 wickets this season at 20.30. He is also one of the finest fielders from the Kings’ camp.

Bowling has been a setback for GL this season. The injury to Andrew Tye has been a massive setback. Though Basil Thampi has been a find and has shown immense maturity, James Faulkner and Pradeep Sangwan will have to support him well.

Much is expected from Ravindra Jadeja as well. Jadeja has been dismal this season with 5 wickets from 9 games and has given away runs at almost 10 an over.

Likely XI:

Kings XI Punjab: Hashim Amla, Martin Guptill, Manan Vohra, Shaun Marsh, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Glenn Maxwell (c), Axar Patel, Mohit Sharma, Varun Aaron, Sandeep Sharma, T Natarajan

Gujarat Lions: Aaron Finch, Ishan Kishan, Suresh Raina (c), Dwayne Smith, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, James Faulkner, Irfan Pathan, Basil Thampi, Pradeep Sangwan, Ankit Soni

Story so far: KXIP have won five of their ten matches so far and are sitting at No. 5 position of IPL 2017 points table. GL are at the No. 7 spot with victory in three out of ten matches.

Advantage: With an in-form pace attack, KXIP will have the advantage at one of the fastest wickets in India. Playing at home conditions will be their added bonus.

Squads:

Kings XI Punjab: Glenn Maxwell (c), Hashim Amla, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), David Miller, Mohit Sharma, Sandeep Sharma, Manan Vohra, Akshar Patel, Marcus Stoinis, T Natarajan, Swapnil Singh, Darren Sammy, Shaun Marsh, Eoin Morgan, Ishant Sharma, Martin Guptill, Anureet Singh, Varun Aaron, Gurkeerat Singh Mann, Matt Henry, Nikhil Naik, Rahul Tewatia, KC Cariappa, Pardeep Sahu, Rinku Singh, Armaan Jaffer.

Gujarat Lions: Suresh Raina (c), Ravindra Jadeja, James Faulkner, Brendon McCullum, Dwayne Bravo, Aaron Finch, Dwayne Smith, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Dhawal Kulkarni, Praveen Kumar, Andrew  Tye, Ishan Kishan, Pradeep Sangwan, Shivil Kaushik, Shadab Jakati, Jaydev Shah. Jason Roy, Basil Thampi, Manpreet Gony, Shubham Agarwal, Tejas Singh Baroka, Chirag Suri, Pratham Singh, Shelley Shaurya

TIME: 20:00 IST | 14:30 GMT