Highlights:
- KXIP to face RR for the second time in IPL 2020
- Both KXIP and RR need this win today if they want to make it to the playoffs
- Kings XI Punjab are coming in with 5 consecutive victories
In the 50th match of the 13th season of the Indian Premier League, the Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) side will face Rajasthan Royals (RR) for the second and possibly the last time in this year’s tournament at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dabhi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) at 7:30 PM, today.
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The last time these two IPL franchises went head to head was in the 9th match of IPL 2020 at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on the 29th of September 2020 and that high scoring match was won by Rajasthan Royals by 4 wickets and 3 balls remaining.
Mayank Agarwal helped Kings XI Punjab reach a tally of 223 for 2 after 20 overs as he scored 106 runs in just 50 balls smashing 7 sixes and 10 boundaries, but the Rajasthan side, despite losing 6 wickets won the match and put up 226/6 after 19.3 overs.
For the Royals, three players including skipper Steve Smith scored half-centuries and he winning inning was played by Sanju Sampson who scored 85 runs off of 42 balls hitting 4 boundaries and 7 sixes.
KXIP Vs RR Head To Head
In the history of the Indian Premier League, the two sides have faced each other 20 times, including 1 meeting in IPL 2020 itself.
Out of the 20 matches played, KXIP has managed to win 9 while RR went back as the winners 11 times.
Having said this, let us take a closer look at their past 5 meetings
KXIP Vs RR Last 5 Encounters
29th September 2020: Rajasthan Royals won by 4 wickets
16th April 2019: Kings XI Punjab won by 12 runs
25th March 2019: Kings XI Punjab won by 14 runs
8th May 2018: Rajasthan Royals won by 15 runs
6th May 2020: Kings XI Punjab won by 6 wickets
Additional Stats Of KXIP & RR
KXIP average score against RR: 165
RR average score against KXIP: 169
Most runs for KXIP: 304 (Lokesh Rahul)
Most runs for RR: 358 (Sanju Samson)
Most wickets for KXIP: 7 (Mujeeb Ur Rahman)
Most wickets for RR: 5 (Jofra Archer)
Most catches for KXIP: 5 (Lokesh Rahul)
Most catches for RR: 8 (Sanju Samson)
Current Points Table Position
KXIP currently sits at the 4th position on the IPL 2020 points table with 12 points after winning 6 of the twelve matches played so far, which include five consecutive wins. Interestingly, KXIP sat at the 8th spot earlier and were being said would be the first one to be out of the playoff’s race.
Oth the other side, RR sits at the seventh position on the IPL 2020 points table with 10 points from 12 matches having won 5 games and lost 7 in this competition so face, but winning today’s game would give them a chance at the playoffs. RR has only won 3 of the last 5 matches but when looked closely the two wins came in from the last 3 matches they played.
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Match Prediction
There is very little to differentiate between the two teams on papers, one team have won more overall matches against the other while the other team has won more matches when looked at the stats from last 5 matches. However, since KXIP has been in a phenomenal form and the only 2nd team after Mumbai Indians to win 5 consecutive matches in IPL 2020 no wonder they would be highly motivated and that is the reason why we think KXIP Punjab would win today’s match.
