The match between Kings XI and DC would prove if they have the mettle to join the knockout race, after their convincing upsets in the last match.
History
Both have played 6 matches together. Irony is that when Kings XI reached semifinal, Chargers played their worst tournament. When Chargers peaked and reched consecutive knockouts, Kings XI were going down. Overall with 4 wins in 6 clashes, Kings XI holds edge. But, with entire team and captain changed, can they maintain the winning edge over DC!!
2011 Performances
Kings XI and DC lost tamely against Pune Warriors India and KKR, respectively. But they bounced back with convincing upsets against CSK and RCB, respectively.
Past Results
2008
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KXIP def DC by 4 Wickets
KXIP def DC by 6 Runs
2009
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KXIP def DC by 3 Wickets
KXIP def DC by 1 Run
2010
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DC def KXIP by 6 Runs
DC def KXIP by 5 Wickets
2008 Performance
Kings XI had a dream run with 10 wins and 5 losses, reaching the semifinal. The strongest team of IPL, DC finished at the bottom with 2 wins and 12 losses.
2009 Performance
Kings XI just missed the knockout race by winning and losing equal number of matches, 7 each. Captaincy changed and DC went on to win the cup with 9 wins and 7 losses in South Africa.
2010 Performance
Various issues rocked the team. Yuvraj Singh, Owner’s problem and change of captaincy devastated Kings XI and they finished close to bottom with just 4 wins and 10 losses.
DC reached the semifinal again and finished 4th with 8 win and equal number of losses.
Overall Performance
Kings XI has one of the best performances in IPL winning 21 and losing 22 matches.
DC has the worst record of IPL with 19 wins and 27 losses.
Who Will Win Today!!
Both have had a similar tournament in 4th edition. After exchanging their captains, both started as underdogs supported by their poor initial losses. But, in the next match both made a strong statement by defeating stronger opponents in tough matches. DC has just registered their first home win and will feel more confident now, with the home jinx a thing of past. Kings XI has also buried the ghost of Super Kings strangehold over them by thumping them in last match. Kings XI may strengthen themselves by including David Hussey. But, while for Kings XI it was just a one man show in their victory, Deccan Chargers played a team game. That gives them the edge. DC should win comfortably, unless another Valthaty or the same man redefines the show.
Key Battles
Steyn vs Valthaty and Gilchrist
The pacer has rocken many and nobody will be surprised if he repeats the feat. Valthaty on the other hand would like to prove that his century was not just a one-match wonder. Gilchrist must have his own agenda against Deccan Chargers, whom he captained and was not retained.
Praveen Kumar vs DC openers
Praveen Kumar has been the talk of the IPL with his two amazing starts in two matches. In firts match he took first ball wicket. In Second match he doubled it with two first two ball wicket. What is in store now!! A first three ball hattrick!! DC openers will be vary of that. Yet, they will be more confident after their show against RCB.
Kings XI Punjab Squads
Batsman: Adam Gilchrist (Captain/Keeper), Shaun Marsh, Dinesh Karthik (WK), Vikramjeet Malik, Nitin Saini
Allrounders: David Hussey, Dimitri Mascarenhas, Mandeep Singh
Bowlers: Stuart Broad, Ryan Harris, Ryan McLaren, Nathan Rimmington, Love Ablish, Praveen Kumar, Amit Yadav, Bhargav Bhatt, Bipul Sharma, Piyush Chawla, Siddharth Chitnis, Paras Dogra, Shalabh Srivastava, Sunny Singh, Paul Valthaty
Deccan Chargers SquadBatsman: Kumar Sangakkara (Captain/Keeper), Jean-Paul Duminy, Michael Lumb, Kevin Pietersen, Anand Rajan, Kedar Devdhar, Shikhar Dhawan, Dwaraka Ravi Teja, Jaydev Shah, Arjun Yadav
Allrounder: Chris Lynn, Rusty Theron, Cameron White, Ashish Reddy
Bowlers: Dale Steyn, Daniel Christian, Ankit Sharma, Akash Bhandari, Bharat Chipli, Manpreet Gony, Harmeet Singh, Ishank Jaggi, Ishan Malhotra, Amit Mishra, Pragyan Ojha, Ishant Sharma, Sunny Sohal
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