 The Kochi Tuskers Kerala will host the Kings XI Punjab in the 57th game
of the Indian Premier League that will be played at a new ground. The game
will be played at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore, which will be the
home ground for the Kochi Tuskers in the next three games.
As things currently stand, the Kochi Tuskers have 10 points from 11 games. As
compared to that the Punjab side has played a game less and have eight points
in their kitty.
Click for Live Score Card of Kochi Tuskers Kerala Vs Mohali Punjab Kings
If we assume that the teams need to get to 16 points to be able to qualify for
the next round, it will also imply that only one of these two teams can get to
the 16-point score. The Tuskers, if they win all their three games including this
one will get to 16 while Punjab need to win four in a row to get to 16, including
this one. So, the team losing this one will go down in a heap, and out of the
tournament.
Punjab played a magnificent game in their last IPL encounter, beating the table-topping
Mumbai Indians. They scored more than 160 against a good, strong Mumbai Indians
attack and then managed to bowl the opposition out for 87 to win the game by a
huge margin.
On the other hand, the Kochi Tuskers Kerala were beaten hollow by the
Royal Challengers Bangalore. This included that 37-run over that Gayle hit and
went on to crush the Kochi Tuskers.
What the Kochi side needs to do is to get out their best playing eleven on
the park. This is hardly a time for experimentation and Muthiah Muralitharan,
one feels will be the key to the success of their side. In case of the Punjab
side, the issue is that they have the best side out on the park but the problem
surrounds their lack of form.
If Punjab needs to start winning their games consistently, they need Adam Gilchrist
to get a big one, as they need David Hussey to start contributing with
the bat as well. Hussey has done nothing in the tournament so far.
The bowling for the Punjab side is better placed than their opponents, with the
likes of Ryan Harris and Praveen Kumar been well-supported by Bipul Sharma who
bowled well in the last game.
There is hardly anything to choose from between the two sides.
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