Kings XI Punjab will take on the Pune Warriors in Mohali on Thursday. The Kings will be hoping to capitalize the home advantage as they are yet to register a win in the tournament. For the Warriors, things are looking very good as no one expected them to play the way they are playing. The Warriors have won both the matches so far and from the underdogs they are looking like a team to beat.
It is a very important match for the home team as they need some points against their name and they will fancy their chances against the Warriors. Though the Warriors have won both the matches, still they are a team that has some deficiencies which can be exploited. Let’s have a look at some of the players from both the teams who can have major impact on the match.

Players to watch out from Kings XI Punjab:

David Hussey: He is a tremendous striker of the ball and has been in descent form of late. Hussey is one player who can turn the tides in his teams’ favour. He is a very good batman to have in the middle-order and can play some very big shots in the latter half of the innings. Hussey is a very efficient off-spinner as well and can bowl some real good overs.

Adam Gilchrist: The captain of Kings XI will have to come to the party if he wants his team to do well in the tournament. Gilchrist is an explosive batsman and can play some match changing innings. He has not showed his class till now and will be looking to take the attack to the opposition. Gilchrist has always been a match winner for whichever team he has played for, and once again the onus will be on him to take his team home.

Praveen Kumar: He had a good outing with the RCB team in the first three seasons. But for Punjab he is yet to prove his worth. Praveen Kumar is an intelligent bowler and depends a lot on swinging the ball. The Mohali wicket has always provided some good pace for the fast bowler and this talented bowler will be hoping to make the full use of that.

Piyush Chawla: The talented leg-spinner is yet to make an impression this season. He is a crafty bowler and can take some important wickets. His wicket taking ability has always been his forte and this is the time for him to show that he can deliver what is expected from him. He is very handy with the bat as well and can play some descent shots.

Players to watch out from Pune Warriors:

Marlon Samuels: The big hitting West Indian showed what he is capable of in the last match that Pune played. Samuels is a destructive batsman once he gets settled and can play some real good innings. He is very good in the death overs and can take the game away from any team. He is a very handy off-spinner as well and has the ability to bowl in the field restriction.

Sourav Ganguly: His captaincy has been awesome in the two matches that his team have played so far, but it is his batting that everyone is waiting for to come good. He is still to make an impact with the bat and he would be hoping that Mohali will change it all. The ball will come on to the bat and it will make things simpler for this elegant left-hander. He can punish the slow bowlers once he settles and Pune will be hoping that their captain will come to the party in this match.

Rahul Sharma: This tall leg-spinner has performed brilliantly in both the matches. He is very hard to get away with and is a very efficient bowler. Rahul Sharma bowls in critical times and has the ability to break partnership. He will be looking to continue his good form to catch the selectors’ eye.

Murali Kartik: He has already showed why he is so highly rated in the county circuit. He has bowled with tremendous guile in both the matches that he has played. Kartik is a very attacking spinner and always look to take wickets. He can bowl with the new ball in the field restriction and has the ability to turn even the new ball. He is a very important bowler for the Warriors cause.

By Gaurav Jha
Indian Sports News