IPL 2020: KXIP vs KKR – Game Plan 2 – See out and the Powerplay phase and feast

KXIP vs KKR – The 24th match of the IPL 2020 tournament between the teams, Kings XI Punjab and Kolkata Knight Riders, could all be about match-ups. We take a look at a key game plan that could play a role in the twenty-first game of the IPL – KXIP vs KKR

KXIP vs KKR: Andre Russell could help himself against KXIP’s vulnerale death bowling

In this IPL 2020, whenever there is a match against Kings XI Punjab, the batting side’s plan should definitely be to play out at least the Powerplay overs. KXIP’s regular opening bowlers so far, Mohammad Shami and Sheldon Cottrell have been responsible for 15 of the team’s 34 wickets in the tournament until now.

If we break it phase by phase, the Powerplay is clearly KXIP’s most productive one so far. The seamers have used the movement in the air and off the surface to good use in order to get KXIP off to a fine start. However, in the last two matches, KXIP have not picked up even one Powerplay wicket and have gone on to suffer huge losses against CSK and SRH.

This is why KKR would have to show some caution during the early overs as they definitely have the firepower in the likes of Andre Russell, Eoin Morgan, Dinesh Karthik and even Sunil Narine who was used as a spin hitter against CSK.

A lot also depends on KXIP’s possible team changes. It remains to be seen whether the likes of Mujeeb-ur-Rahman and Arshdeep Singh get another chance although the latter did bowl superbly against SRH. KXIP’s main concern would be their batting depth as they could be forced to bat Ravi Bishnoi or Mujeeb at No.7 once again if the same bowling attack is picked.

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Some possible replacements could be Hardus Viljoen or Chris Jordan in place of Mujeeb while one out of Murugan Ashwin, Harpreet Brar or Jagadeesha Suchith could replace Arshdeep Singh. The spinners will be in focus especially because leg-spin could work against KKR’s top-order. The openers, Gill and Tripathi have average numbers against leg-spin while Nitish Rana struggles quite a bit against this bowling type. The young Ravi Bishnoi will certainly be hopeful after looking at these numbers.

If picked, Harpreet Brar or Suchith would fancy themselves to dismiss Tripathi as he has got on seven occasions in just 61 balls against left-arm spinners. Tripathi also scores only just over run-a-ball against left-arm spinners which is most glaring weakness in IPL cricket.

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KXIP could also take a gamble and leave out Cottrell in place of Hardus Viljoen or Chris Jordan. With Mujeeb known as a Powerplay specialist, Viljoen or Jordan could be used primarily for the middle and end overs. The two pacers are completely different with Viljoen being a hit-the-deck bowler who could be used wisely during the middle phase while Jordan is a known death overs bowler even though he struggled in the two games until now in IPL 2020.