IPL 2017: Kings XI Punjab vs Mumbai Indians, 5 factors of winning

#3 Strategy

Maxwell’s form will be very crucial for Punjab’s chances

The general trend in the league so far has been to bowl first after winning the toss. Not too many sides have opted to bat after calling the right side of the coin. The results have shown that the team fielding first holds the greater advantage.

Both these teams have won all the games so far while chasing and it would once again be the factor for winning.

The initial two victories for KXIP came while chasing scores of 163 and 148. Both the wins included quickfire innings from their captain Maxwell. It is quite evident that the side does well whenever Maxwell plays well. In the last game, the Australian batted at number 3 which should be the case for the entire tournament as he needs to face as many deliveries as possible.

MI lost their initial encounter to RPS after batting first and putting up a target of 185. In the next four matches, they have enjoyed chasing and won all of them. The batting line-up includes Parthiv, Buttler, Rohit, Rana, Pollard and the Pandya brothers. Each one of them is capable of building an innings as well as hitting big strokes when necessary.

Not all of them have clicked together but there have been one or two who have stuck to the crease and played the defining innings. They would love to keep the winning momentum and without a doubt, chasing will be the preferred option.