Kings XI Punjab vs Pune Warriors – IPL 5 – Match Preview
The 14th match of the IPL will pit Kings XI http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Punjab-c833 against Pune Warriors, in a reversal of the clash played last week, with both teams battling it out at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali, Chandigarh in the second match today, April 12, 2012.
After all the off-field drama, the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sourav-Chandidas-Ganguly-c90746’s exceptional man-management skills, which have helped in infusing a winning mentality in his players.
All have responded well, leaving the franchise in a healthy position after the early stages of the competition. After managing to defend a mediocre total in their first game, owing to an outstanding bowling performance, the second match against their current opposition was a one-side affair which saw the likes of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Robin-Uthappa-c2356 sharing the batting workload, before the bowlers again proved too hot to handle – helping their side to an convincing 22-run win.
The team is working on a similar line as http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shane-Keith-Warne-c89672. They remain a 'confidence team', and their success will mainly revolve around their skipper and mentor Ganguly, who remains amongst the best in getting the best out of his players.
The strength of the team lies in the batting prowess of their overseas recruits, with Samuels, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/SPD-Smith-c2555 has been a revelation coming in at no.6, with his power hitting proving a valuable asset in the death overs for his side.
To add to their potency is a competent bowling lineup, which includes mainly home-grown talents. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Murali-Kartik-c78034 forming a formidable partnership, along with the precise bowling of Samuels.
A win today will take the Warriors to the summit and the odds are firmly stacked in their favour.
Their second time opponents, Kings XI, are without a win so far and are struggling to find a suitable combination. They have been poor on their travels and will want to make their home advantage count in order to conjure up a much needed win.
Their Australian contingent needs to fire on all cylinders, including http://www.senore.com/Cricket/SE-Marsh-c2470, who is expected to be fit after missing out the last game. Gilchrist needs to provide solidarity upfront, while Hussey is yet to find his feet in this year’s competition.
Their Indian recruits have all disappointed so far and the likes of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Abhishek-Nayar-c902 will be under the cosh.
The bowling department seems disoriented – http://www.senore.com/Cricket/AD-Mascarenhas-c912.
However, a few changes will be expected as the team looks to kick-start their campaign.
The pitch at Mohali is expected to be a good batting wicket, and one could expect a high-scoring encounter. However, going by the recent tone – bowlers have held the upper edge in most of the matches.
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