The two bottom teams of IPL 2016 clash in a match that could see the losing team see their chances of making the playoffs come to an end. Kings XI Punjab and RCB will both know the importance of a win in Mohali.
RCB and KXIP are both coming off a win in their previous matches, so confidence will be high when these two teams clash on Monday. While RCB pulled off a massive chase, courtesy a Virat Kohli special, at the Chinnaswamy on Saturday, KXIP bowled well to defend a solid score against the Delhi Daredevils.
Coming off a heartbreaking loss against KKR, RCB really needed to front up against MS Dhoni's Rising Pune Supergiants, and it was Kohli who led from the front again, chasing down a score in excess of 190, thanks to a brilliant, unbeaten ton.
Shane Watson, who bowled well in the first innings, before scoring a quickfire 36 from 13 balls, which gave back RCB the momentum, was a happy chappy after seeing his team finally build some momentum, as they look to go on a major winning run to make it to the playoffs.
"It was a very good day for us, it was an important win," Watson told IPL's official website after RCB's seven-wicket win. We really needed this win, especially after how we lost the last game against KKR.
"Personally, I took it very hard for the one over I bowled that got KKR back in the game to be able to win it from there. I was pretty determined to play much better in this game. It worked out nicely as I could contribute with both bat and ball.
"It was about time we got some momentum. We have seen plenty of times in the IPL that if you get some momentum going at the back end of the tournament, anything is possible. Hopefully this is the beginning of a turnaround for us."
Hoping it is a turnaround also will be Kings XI Punjab, who bowled brilliantly in the final overs to stop Delhi Daredevils in their tracks. With the batting also clicking – Marcus Stoinis and Wriddhiman Saha scored outstanding half-centuries – KXIP will hope for an all-round performance against RCB.
"We have been trying to ensure that the batting and bowling clicks well, which wasn't happening (previously)," Saha told IPL's website. "There was something or the other amiss towards the end.
"(Against Delhi Daredevils), however, we clicked as a unit in both the departments which helped. We are not looking at the points table. We are only focussing on the matches that we are to play. If the batsmen have done well the bowling unit has to back it up and vice versa."
The points table says six points each for Kings XI and RCB – the latter having played a game less -- so whether they are bothered about the table or not – a loss on Monday, will put the home team out of the playoff race.
Where to Watch Live
KXIP vs RCB is scheduled for an 8 p.m. IST (3.30 p.m. BST, 10.30 a.m. ET) start. Below are the TV and Live Streaming options.
India: TV: Sony Six,Sony Six HD, Sony ESPN, Sony ESPN HD and Sony Max. Live Streaming: Starsports.com and Hotstar.
UK and Ireland: TV: Sky Sports 2. Live Streaming: Watch Sky Sports and Sky Go.
Middle East and North Africa: TV: OSN Sports Cricket. Live Streaming: OSN Cricket Play.
South Africa and Sub Saharan Africa: TV: Supersport. Live Streaming: Supersport Live Video.
USA: TV: ESPN. Live streaming: Watch ESPN.
Canada: TV: Sportsnet. Live Streaming: Watch Sportsnet.
International (ROW): Cricketgateway.
