Mayank’s Kings face KL Rahul’s Giants’ test

Punjab Kings would be keen to put brakes on Lucknow Super Giants skipper KL Rahul’s rollicking batting form and notch up a win when the two sides clash in an IPL game on Friday.

Lucknow beat Mumbai Indians by 36 runs in their last game, while Punjab come into the game after defeating Chennai Super Kings by 11 runs.

R a h u l has been in sublime form at the top of order and has already hit two hundreds — both against Mumbai Indians — and a fifty-plus score this season. With 368 runs, he is the second highest run-getter so far this season, just behind Rajasthan Royals’ Jos Buttler and has been the batting mainstay for his team.

Punjab’s balanced bowling attack, led by South African pacer Kasigo Rabada, would be keen to put the brakes on the stylish right-handed batter. In the batting department, opener Shikhar Dhawan, who hit an unbeaten 88 in Punjab’s previous match, is back among the runs and that is a big plus.

But the form of skipper Mayank Agarwal is a cause of concern. For Lucknow, captain Rahul needs support from other batters, including his opening partner Quinton De Kock, who failed in the game against Mumbai as he was dismissed for 10. Lucknow have depth in their batting.

The bowling department has also fared well, with Sri Lankan pacer Dushmantha Chameera and Holder right on the money so far. The eight overs of spinners Krunal Pandya and Ravi Bishnoi can also become crucial and change the fate of a match.