IPL 2017: Match 26 Preview: Gujarat Lions Vs. Kings XI Punjab

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BySportsCafe Desk, SportsCafe Editor

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Having returned to winning ways against the Kolkata Knight Riders on Friday, the Gujarat Lions will be looking to make it two in a row when they take on the Kings XI Punjab in Rajkot today afternoon. But the Kings will be looking to make amends after a tough loss at home to Mumbai Indians.

Gujarat Lions skipper Suresh Raina will be hoping both he and his team can carry forward the form they found against the Kolkata Knight Riders when they play the Kings XI.

On the other hand, Glenn Maxwell and his Kings XI Punjab side will be hoping that the pitch at the Saurashtra Cricket Association isn’t as batsmen friendly as the Indore pitch they played on against the Mumbai Indians.

Head to head:

Tied at 1-1.

Last Meeting:

Kings XI Punjab won the game at the same venue last year by 23 runs after bowling out Gujarat Lions for 131.

Predicted Playing XI:

Gujarat Lions: The Lions showed just how good a side they can be on their day by beating KKR at Eden on Friday and are expected to play the same side.

Brendon McCullum, Aaron Finch, Suresh Raina, (c) Dinesh Karthik (wk), Ishan Kishan, Dwayne Smith, Ravindra Jadeja, James Faulkner, Praveen Kumar, Dhawal Kulkarni, Basil Thampi.

Kings XI Punjab: One can expect a few changes in the bowling department for the Kings XI after the carnage that took place on Thursday. Matt Henry could be given a chance, in place of Marcus Stoinis, and Varun Aaron in place of Mohit Sharma. 

Hashim Amla, Shaun Marsh, Wriddhiman Saha(wk), Glenn Maxwell (c), Matt Henry, Gurkeerat Singh Mann, Swapnil Singh, Varun Aaron, Axar Patel, Sandeep Sharma, Ishant Sharma.

Key Players:

Suresh Raina (GL)- The skipper finally found form in the last game with a match-winning 46-ball 84 against KKR and will look to inflict similar damage on the Kings XI Punjab.

Hashim Amla (KXIP)- The centurion from the game against Mumbai Indians will want to fire once again, this time, hopefully in a winning cause.

Pre-match chatter:

“The batting looks good, but we can still improve on our bowling. If we are looking to finish on top, we need to minimize our mistakes”, Gujarat Lions' skipper, Suresh Raina.

Time: 4 PM

Venue: Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Rajkot.

TV Listings: Sony Six HD, Sony Six, Set Max, Sony ESPN

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