Kings XI Punjab have been the most disappointing side in IPL 2015, as they languish in the bottom of the points table. To make matters worse, they face an upbeat Royal Challengers Bangalore, who have won three of their last four matches, in their next match on Wednesday.
RCB are in the hunt for the playoffs as they lie in fifth with 13 points from 11 matches. A victory against KXIP on Wednesday at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali can help them climb up to second, and increase their chances of going past the round robin stage.
There is no dearth of quality players in KXIP, but they have failed to live up to expectations after their terrific performance last season.
Here is a look at some players, who can set the stadium in Mohali alight with their performance.
Kings XI Punjab
David Miller – The South African, despite being inconsistent in IPL 2015, is the highest run scorer for KXIP with 332 runs. The left-hander is capable of scoring quick runs as was witnessed in the last game against Sunrisers Hyderabad, where he nearly won the match from an impossible situation with a 44-ball 89. His six-hitting ability makes him a dangerous batsman. Miller has hit an impressive 19 sixes so far in the tournament.
Sandeep Sharma – The Indian bowler hit the ground running from the first match of their campaign, but the swing master has not been effective of late. With 12 wickets to his name, Sandeep is still the bowling spearhead for the KXIP, who have failed to impress this season. Sandeep's bowling has been a major highlight for KXIP this season as his inswing and outswing has troubled batsmen in the competition.
Royal Challengers Bangalore
AB de Villiers – With an innings of 133 not out against Mumbai Indians, the South African batsman proved to everyone just why he is regraded the best in the world currently. It is not only the runs he scores, but the manner in which he scores those runs which makes him a destructive player. With a strike rate of 180, he has scored 461 runs in IPL 2015. What makes the player so special is his ability to tear the bowling attack apart, playing shots all around the park, including behind the wicket with his scoop shots.
Chris Gayle – When on song, the left hander tonks bowlers over their head for humongous sixes with consummate ease. His mere presence at the batting crease is a fearful sight for any bowler. The West Indian has been mighty impressive opening the innings for RCB alongside Virat Kohli, who have given some flying starts to set up huge scores. Gayle averages 46.25 in the nine innings he has played, amassing 370 runs.
