The game 13 of Dream11 Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 will see Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) take on Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.

Both the teams pretty much have had a similar result pattern in this tournament, including a Super Over-heartbreak.

While KXIP lost their opening game against Delhi Capitals (DC), they followed it up with a win against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) before suffering a defeat at the hands of Rajasthan Royals (RR).

Meanwhile, MI lost the season opener against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) but returned to winning ways, defeating Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). However, MI had to encounter their second defeat when they faced RCB.

Battle between two batting artists

KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma have made a habit of making batting look ridiculously easy. The right-handers, who are leading their respective IPL franchises, ooze class and elegance when they get going with the bat and possess the ability to clear the ropes with consummate ease. The two openers can shift gears, bat long and as KXIP-MI square off, the Rahul-Rohit batting duel will make for one fine battle to keep you hooked.  

With both the teams eyeing their second win, here are our picks of the players to watch out for.

KL Rahul

With 223 runs against his name, KL Rahul is the current Orange Cap-holder of IPL 2020. The stylish right-hander will be out to continue his good run of form with the bat and will be keen to lead his side to their second win of the season. After scoring 21 in his first outing against DC, KL Rahul hit a whirlwind ton against RCB and then scored 69 in the following game against RR. The KXIP skipper will once again be pivotal to his team’s fortunes as they face MI.

Rohit Sharma

Rohit is coming into this game, needing just two runs to complete 5000 IPL runs. He will become only the third cricketer to reach that mark. However, the MI skipper will be targeting a much bigger score as his team seeks a winning return. Knowing his penchant to make batting look easy, it will be a delight if Rohit has a fine outing with the bat.

Mayank Agarwal

Mayank Agarwal, Rahul’s opening partner and good friend, is just a run short from being the tournament’s leading run-getter. The right-hander has looked in fine form right from KXIP’s first game, where he scored 89 against DC. Although he got out in the 20s in the subsequent game against RCB, Mayank notched up his maiden IPL hundred in KXIP’s third game. If he continues to fire with the bat, KXIP will be in with a chance to secure their win.

Kieron Pollard

The big-hitting West Indian recently played his 150th IPL game. He has been with the MI unit since the time he made his IPL debut and like he has done so many times in the past, Kieron Pollard almost pulled MI across the finish line with his unbeaten 60 off 24 balls against RCB. If he tonks a few against KXIP, it would increase MI’s chances to register their second win of the IPL 2020.

Ravi Bishnoi

While KXIP came out second in the run-fest against RR, Ravi Bishnoi, despite not taking a wicket, was his side’s standout bowler. The young leg-spinner conceded 34 runs in his 4 overs in a game where fours and sixes were hit aplenty. He may have just played three IPL games thus far, but Bishnoi has shown a lot of heart.

Wild Card

Ishan Kishan

He was brought into the MI playing XI after Saurabh Tiwary got injured and Ishan Kishan almost pulled off a stunning win for MI. He scored 99 off 58 balls, before a Super Over-finish denied MI a win against RCB. The youngster batted at number 4 in MI’s previous game and is expected to retain his spot in MI’s XI for the game against KXIP.

Stats

• KXIP at this venue: Played 2, Won 2
• MI at this venue: Played 3, Won 1, Lost 2

Approaching Milestones

• Mayank Agarwal needs 13 runs to complete 1500 IPL runs.
• KL Rahul requires 26 runs to complete 1500 IPL runs for KXIP.
• Rohit Sharma is just 2 runs away from completing 5000 IPL runs.
• Suryakumar Yadav needs 2 sixes to complete 50 IPL sixes.