 The two teams in action later on Thursday will be faced with a familiar opposition
as Pune Warriors will be hosted by Kings XI Punjab. While other teams have
moved on from one opposition to the other, these two sides ironically played their
last match against each other only.
Click for Live Score Card of Mohali Punjab Kings Vs Pune Warriors
Pune Warriors have two wins from as many matches, including a 22-run win against
Kings XI Punjab on Sunday. Marlon Samuels and Robin Uthappa spearheaded
the batting total before Steven Smith and Manish Pandey pounded a few
sixes at the end to provide depth to the total. A collective effort with the
ball kept the runs in check as they won the match and are currently second on
the points table. Pune seem to have carved a plan that works for them. In the
absence of big star names, they seem to have clear cut roles for everyone. Jesse
Ryder played in the last match coming back from disciplinary issues and can
be more than a handful should he fire.
Kings XI Punjab suffered their second consecutive defeat as they faltered in
front of a big total yet again. The odd weak link in their bowling line-up continues
to cost them heavily as Bipul Sharma conceded 40 runs off just 16 balls.
Adam Gilchrist, the captain-cum-coach, will have to rework his strategy as the
team has looked woefully out of sorts so far. Mandeep Singh and Abhishek Nayar scored 24 runs each and Bipul Sharma's 35-run cameo at the end came
in a bit too late. Gilchrist will be worried with his own form too as he fell
for six runs off 11 balls. The team still has the potential to do well with
the likes of Dimitri Mascarenhas and David Hussey in the line up.
Mohali is the venue for the match and plenty of noise and colorful celebrations
could be on display in anticipation of a good performance by the home side.
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