Kings XI plays only their third match of the season against Pune Warriors. Ironically, the weird schedule has made them play back-to-back matches against Warriors at such an early stage. They have already lost first two matches of 2012. But they need a victory badly at home, to prove they can win against Warriors despite losing all three they have played.
History
Pune Warriors have developed strangehold over Kings XI Punjab by winning all their three matches against them. They have won 2 matches in 2011 and won the third match in 2012.
Head-to-Head: PWI 2, KXIP 0
2010
2011
- Warriors def Kings XI by 22 runs
Overall Records
Kings XI Punjab were the semifinalist in inaugural IPL, but since then they have kept sinking. Captains have changed, but not the fate.
Kings XI performances is going down in IPL with every season, as they have a record of winning 28 and losing 31 matches.
Pune Warriors, on the other hand, has a forgettable season with just 4 wins and 9 losses in their debut season of 2011. Overall they have registered 6 wins and lost 9.
Who Will Win Today
Pune Warriors again look favorite due to disciplined and wicket-taking bowling unit. While Pune Warriors boasts of strong bowlers, Kings XI is struggling to find the right combination. Even Piyush Chawla is not finding the rhythem.
Kings XI, with 4 Australians players, looks more like an Australian team. Still Gilchrist, David Hussey and Faulkner
have failed collectively. Even including English allrounder Mascarenhas did not change their fate against Warriors.
Pune Warriors on the other hand has picked the details properly to win two matches in 2011. Captain Ganguly appears much ahead of others in the tournament. He is using his resources so aptly that despite having no big stars, his team is winning smoothly.
Dinda has been exceptional, Nehra was useful. Samuels, Rahul Sharma and Murali Kartik are providing the winning spin. Kings XI is struggling with bowlers. Praveen Kumar, Faulkner, Mascarenhas has failed to impress while Harmeet Singh appeared better than Piyush Chawla in last match. The bowlers are neither taking wicdkets, nor are able to stop runs.
Batting of Kings XI has also failed. While Gilchrist, Valthaty and David Hussey are failing, even the Indian players are unable to contribute substantially. For Pune Warriors, the only danger is their slow start at beginning. Ganguly, Ryder and Uthappa has been too slow for T20 match. Samuels and Manish Pandey can improve. It is Steven Smith who is their batting star who comes, hits, and makes the asking rate difficult for bowlers to decide where to bowl.
Ganguly may lead to another victory to make it 4-0 against Kings XI.
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