Kings XI Punjab go into a must-win IPL 2017 encounter against the Kolkata Knight Riders in Mohali without their in-form batsman Hashim Amla.
The South African has left to play for his country along with David Miller, adding to the injury and availability issues for KXIP.
Amla scored his second hundred of IPL 2017, when he struck a magnificent 60-ball 104 against the Gujarat Lions in Kings XI Punjab's last game, and with the batting order, otherwise, looking a little iffy, the opener's loss will be a big one to deal with.
Miller would have been a solid replacement for Amla, with Manan Vohra opening the innings with Martin Guptill, if the left-hander was available, but, unfortunately, for Kings XI, the big-hitter has also left to join up with the South Africa squad.
Marcus Stoinis has been ruled out of IPL 2017 with a shoulder injury, picked up during warm-ups last week, which leaves Kings XI with very few options.
We bid goodbye to our South African stalwarts, @DavidMillerSA12 & @amlahash, who will be returning home to join the national team! pic.twitter.com/MiemLBBpeX
— Kings XI Punjab (@lionsdenkxip) May 8, 2017
Darren Sammy hasn't played a game yet, and could come in, although he isn't exactly the most reliable batsman or bowler.
Matt Henry could be a solid option, although bringing the fast bowler in will weaken the batting.
Eoin Morgan just finished captaining England to a 2-0 series win over Ireland on Sunday, and while he is flying back in to play the remaining games, this one could come a little early. Morgan, though, if available, should be the right pick for the playing XI as a replacement for Amla.
While KXIP fight for their let's-try-and-make-the-playoffs lives, KKR are looking to seal a top two place in IPL 2017. By finishing first or second in the IPL 2017 points table, you get two bites at the cherry of making the final, so it could make a big difference.
The question is if Robin Uthappa and Nathan Coulter-Nile will be available to help KKR pick up their ninth win of the season.
Uthappa, one of the best batsmen in IPL 2017, has missed the last two games, while Coulter-Nile sat out the win over RCB after suffering a blow to his helmet while batting against RPS.
KKR seemed to do quite alright without both Uthappa and Coulter-Nile, with Chris Lynn coming back in, after a month off from a shoulder injury, and scoring a ridiculous 22-ball half-century.
Considering the form KKR are in, Gautam Gambhir is likely to keep Uthappa and Coulter-Nile, who should come back in for Colin de Grandhomme if fit, for the playoffs, or at least until they are absolutely 100 per cent.
Confirmed playing XI:
KXIP: Martin Guptill, Manan Vohra, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell (C), Wriddhiman Saha, Axar Patel, Rahul Tewatia, Mohit Sharma, Matt Henry, Swapnil Singh, Sandeep Sharma.
KKR: Sunil Narine, Chris Lynn, Gautam Gambhir (C), Robin Uthappa, Manish Pandey, Yusuf Pathan, Colin de Grandhomme, Chris Woakes, Umesh Yadav, Kuldeep Yadav, Ankit Rajpoot.
