What

Kings XI Punjab (12 points from as many matches), who are still in with a chance to make it to the playoffs, clash with the Deccan Chargers in Match 61 of DLF IPL 2012.

The Deccan Chargers sit at the floor of the table with just two wins from 13 outings and are out of the reckoning from making it to the playoffs. However, their matches are a very important part of the calendar in that they could decide the fate of some of the other teams who are still in the hunt for a playoff spot.

Kings XI Punjab have looked a good team when things have fallen in place for them. However, they’ve lacked in consistency and in carrying forth their winning momentum; that has left them with six wins and just as many defeats. With many teams closely packed in the mid-table, there could be no more room for a slip-up and KXIP will need to be on top of their game every single time.

When

Sunday, May 13, 2012, 08:00 p.m.

Where

Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali

The Protagonists

The coming to age of Mandeep Singh has meant the burden on David Hussey and Shaun Marsh to score the bulk of the runs has reduced. 20-year-old Mandeep (KXIP’s leading run-getter this season) has been used in a variety of roles; but it is in his role as opening batsman with which he has added most value to his team. Runs at the top from Mandeep have meant that the likes of Hussey and Marsh have had the freedom to go out and play their shots from the word go.

There could also be a boost (and a complication in a way) with the likely return of Adam Gilchrist to the KXIP line-up. The southpaw missed his team’s last few games owing to a hamstring injury he suffered earlier in the tournament, but may to return in time for this fixture.

For the Deccan Chargers, Cameron White and Shikhar Dhawan have been the two standout performers in what has otherwise been a lacklustre season for the team. While Dhawan has impressed with consistently getting runs, White – dropped from the team in the early days of the tournament – has impressed with his ability to play impact innings. The Australian’s half-centuries were the cornerstone of DC’s two wins this season, while his two other half-centuries gave his team a semblance of a chance of forcing a win.

Previous Meetings

Kings XI Punjab have a 6-3 win-loss record from their nine previous meetings against the Deccan Chargers.

The team from Mohali won the first four meetings between the two teams in IPL 2008 and IPL 2009, before the Deccan Chargers came back strongly to win both matches in the 2010 season. In IPL 2011, both teams dropped their home matches.

In the most recent meeting between the two teams earlier this season, KXIP, powered by Mandeep Singh’s 75, posted 170 for five and then restricted the hosts to 145 for eight to win by 25 runs.

Trivia

KXIP’s Piyush Chawla is the second-highest wicket-taker in the IPL; he has taken 72 wickets in 67 matches. Only Lasith Malinga – with 81 wickets – is ahead of him in this list.

No IPL team has had more luck at the coin toss than the Deccan Chargers; the Hyderabad franchise has won the toss in 41 of their 72 matches.

What next?

Kings XI Punjab will be back in action in less than 48 hours when they take on the Delhi Daredevils at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium in Delhi on May 15. On the other hand, the Deccan Chargers will be out of action for four days, before their next fixture against the Rajasthan Royals on May 18.