History
KKR have won the IPL 2 times, in 2012 as well as 2014, and are generally considered as one of the stronger sides in the league, with an element of unpredictability about them. KXIP, in contrast have been among the poorest sides in the tournament historically, and have never won the tournament, with their highest finish being runners-up in 2014. These 2 teams have faced off 26 times in total, with KKR winning 18 of those, and KXIP winning only 8. KKR defeated the Kings XI by a mere 2 runs in their previous encounter earlier this season.
Team News
KXIP looked to be in incredible batting form initially. Both their openers, Rahul and Mayank have played two big innings each, including a century each as well. They have scored 200+ runs twice already, although their bowling has repeatedly failed them as RR managed to chase down the highest score in IPL history against them. This disbalance has caused them to lost 4 matches in a row, and they are currently bottom of the table with just 1 win in 6 matches. They lost to SRH by a huge margin of 69 runs, but the performance of Pooran will be encouraging, as the over reliance on the openers has cost them so far. They suffered another heartbreak vs KKR as they lost by just 2 runs, after Glenn Maxwell came within inches of the boundary rope when they needed a 6 to tie the match.
Finally, their patience paid off as they managed to beat RCB to end a streak of 4 straight defeats. The resurgence continued with a dramatic win over Mumbai Indians which ended in 2 separate super-overs ! They followed this up with another impressive victory over then table-toppers Delhi Capitals, beating the top 2 sides in the league in back to back matches. They then defended a modest total against SRH in a remarkable turnaround.
KKR had a nightmare start to the tournament in contrast, being thrashed by Mumbai Indians in their opening game. However, they bounced back very well with impressive victories over Rajasthan Royals Sunrisers. Shubman Gill is back to top form now, but the most encouraging aspect of KKR currently is the brilliant form of their young Indian bowlers- Nagarkoti, Mavi and Varun, which makes them a very balanced side going ahead in the tournament. They won their next game against Chennai with a narrow margin after a spirited bowling performance.
KKR then clinched a thriller against KXIP by just 2 runs, as captain Dinesh Karthik finally produced the goods to take his team home. However, KKR were hammered by 82 runs against RCB, and followed that up with another crushing defeat against Mumbai Indians. In true unpredictable fashion, they bounced back straight away with an assured display against SRH in the following match to win their 5th match this season. However, they followed that up with their worst performance of the season as they could manage to score just 84 runs against RCB in a shattering defeat. They bounced straight back with a very impressive victory over high-flying Delhi Capitals.
Betting Preview, Picks And Prediction
To Win The Match
KKR are the favourites to win the match with odds of 1.80 as per LeoVegas, which is a bit surprising considering the form of KXIP, who have won 4 matches in a row and are 2.00 to win this match. KKR’s odds seem to have improved after their huge win over the Delhi Capitals.
Top Team Batsman
After his consistent form all season, KL Rahul is the favourite to be Punjab’s top batsman, with odds of 3.00. He is followed by his opening partner Mayank Agarwal at 4.00, which is tempting as he has been in equally brilliant form. Chris Gayle’s return has changed things, with the big West Indian now second-favourite to be the top scorer at 3.50.
Youngster Shubman Gill is again the favourite to be KKR’s top scorer in this match, as he is widely considered to be their most consistent batsman and played a brilliant innings in a couple of matches, and has odds of 3.75 England captain Morgan and fellow middle-order batsman Nitish Rana both have odds of 4.50.
Highest Opening Partnership
KXIP are favourites at 1.67 to have the highest opening partnership as Mayank and Rahul are the most prolific opening pairing in the league so far. KKR on the other hand have been unable to fix their opening pairing.
Top Team Bowler
Mohammed Shami is the favourite to be the top bowler for Punjab at 3.50, with Cottrel at 4.00 another attractive option.
The most expensive purchase at this season’s auction, Pat Cummins is the favourite to be the top bowler from KKR at 4.00, followed by Lockie Ferguson at 3.75 and Sunil Narine at 4.50.
Total Runs In The Match
Odds of there being more than 368.5 runs in this match are 1.76, as per LeoVegas. This seems highly achievable as both these teams have some brilliant batsmen and have scored plenty of runs this season. Sharjah is also the smallest ground to play on and the average scores here have been 190+, while only 185 per team is required for this bet.
Individual Player Betting
- Mayank Agarwal to score more than 24.5 runs has odds of 1.87 , which is a tempting bet as he would like to bounce back from injury with a solid innings. Nitish Rana to score more than 26.5 runs also has odds of 1.87, which is also a tempting bet as he would like to continue his current form.
- KXIP to hit the most sixes has odds of 2.05, which can be tempting with Gayle back, and also Rahul, Pooran and Maxwell, all can hit sixes. KKR to hit the most sixes depends heavily on Morgan and Rana, and the odds are 2.10.
- Shami to take 2 or more wickets has odds of 2.10, while Cummins to take 2 or more wickets has odds of 2.40, which is attractive as he is in form and rattled the DC top order in the previous game.
Our Top Betting Picks
- KXIP to win the match @2.00
- KXIP to hit the most sixes @2.05
- KXIP to have the Highest Opening Partnership @1.67
- Cummins to take 2 or more wickets @2.40
