IPL 2018: Who will win the battle of the Kings?
What's the story
With just one win in their last 7 games, Punjab's season has seen a spectacular reversal of fortune. Punjab have a final chance to redeem themselves as they take on Chennai Super Kings in their last league-game of the season at Pune. A massive win tonight can help them qualify for the play-offs. Here are the head-to-head records and probable XI for this fixture.
Head-to-head
Past records favor Chennai Super Kings
The two sides have met on 18 occasions with Chennai boasting a slightly better record with 10 wins under their belt, as compared to Punjab's 8 victories. In matches played at stadiums other than these two teams' headquarters, the head-to-head records read 4-4. However, Kings XI Punjab have lost five out of their six games at Pune.
Information
Chennai Super Kings: Probable Playing XI
Shane Watson, Ambati Rayudu, Suresh Raina, Sam Billings, MS Dhoni (wicket-keeper and captain), Dwayne Bravo, Ravindra Jadeja, Harbhajan Singh, Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur and Lungi Ngidi.
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Kings XI Punjab: Probable Playing XI
Lokesh Rahul (wicket-keeper), Chris Gayle, Aaron Finch, Karun Nair, Manoj Tiwary, Axar Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin (captain), Andrew Tye, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Mohit Sharma and Ankit Rajpoot.
Interesting face-offs
Personal scores to settle
Axar Patel has been the thorn in Watson's flesh in 7 matches they have faced each other. Watson has lost his wicket to Axar 5 times, in 29 balls while scoring 25 runs. Mohit and Ashwin are the two bowlers who have dismissed Rayudu the most number of times. Mohit has bagged Rayudu's wicket 5 times while Ashwin has dismissed him on 4 occasions.
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IPL legends chasing 4,000 run landmark
Chris Gayle is shy of just 6 runs to become the second overseas player (after David Warner) to slam 4,000 IPL runs. On the other hand, CSK captain MS Dhoni is 9 runs away from reaching the 4000-run landmark in the cash-rich league.