Two high flying sides meet on Sunday, September 27 at the Sharjah International Stadium, as Kings XI Punjab take on Rajasthan Royals in the 2020 Dream11 Indian Premier League. Both sides are coming off the back of handsome wins, and will be looking to make it two on the trot to build that early momentum in the competition.

Aamne Saamne

Rajasthan Royals have a marginal upper hand in the head-to-head record but it was KXIP who emerged victorious on both occasions in the 2019 season. Kings XI Punjab won the only game played between these two sides at the Sharjah International Stadium back in 2014, with one of their current acquisitions in Glenn Maxwell being named man of the match on that occasion. 

Batting de Baadshah

It will be a battle of wicket keepers in this IPL game, as Sanju Samson and KL Rahul have been the top scorers for their respective franchises so far. Both played their trademark attacking brand of cricket in the previous games, delivering match-winning knocks and will be the main threats for the bowlers when RR clash against KXIP. Both teams however have been heavily reliant on their top-order so far, and would hope for the marquee middle-order batsmen to come good in this clash. 

Bowling de Kings

Leg spinner Rahul Tewatia broke the back of the Chennai Super Kings middle-order in the opening game of the Royals, and will be looking to ride on that success when he takes on KXIP on Sunday. The top-order of Punjab are all good players of spin on paper, so it would be an interesting match-up for Tewatia. 

For KXIP, Mohammed Shami has been their lynchpin so far, assuring the franchise of wickets in the powerplay with his pace and swing. The seamer has a good set of bowlers playing alongside him in Sheldon Cottrell, Ravi Bishnoi and Murugan Ashwin as well- all of whom have looked menacing in the competition so far. 

READ: Trying to master the ‘flipper’ from Anil Kumble, reveals Bishnoi

Mudde di Baat

It will be a battle between two of the in form sides in the Dream11 IPL when Punjab take on Rajasthan, with both sides looking to build on their wins and get some momentum going. In a big tournament like the IPL, a string of good results could be key to finishing near the top of the table, and that would be weighing on both franchise captains on Sunday. 

Yaad Rakhiyo

• Steve Smith has been dismissed 10 times by a left-arm pacer in the IPL
• KL Rahul averages 55 in the IPL against Rajasthan Royals
• Kings XI Punjab bowlers have the best economy rate in the IPL this year so far in the powerplay overs. 

Probable XI

KL Rahul (c and wk), Chris Gayle, Mayank Agarwal, Karun Nair, Glenn Maxwell, Sarfaraz Khan, Jimmy Neesham, Ravi Bishnoi, Murugan Ashwin, Mohammed Shami, Sheldon Cottrell. 

Kings XI Punjab got a convincing win last time around, so Anil Kumble and the rest of the management will not wish to make too many changes to the side. However, with the shorter boundaries at Sharjah, Chris Gayle could get a look in for this game with Nicholas Pooran missing out. 

NOTE: The aforementioned line-up is an educated guess at best, and the final decision rests with the captain and the team management depending on various external factors.