IPL 2017: Kings XI Punjab vs Royal Challengers Bangalore, 5 factors of winning

#3 Strategy

KXIP will have to dismiss the RCB top order quickly to stand any chance of winning

Kings XI adopted a strategy last match which not many were anticipating. With Maxwell now the captain, most opposition teams would have thought he’d open, like he had done in the two T20Is against Sri Lanka not too long ago, but the Kings surprised everybody by holding him back till No. 5, and even sent Axar Patel ahead of him at 4.

Maybe the move was designed to have the firepower of Maxwell, Miller and Stoinis at 5, 6 and 7 and keep the more steady batsmen higher up, but this move might need to be re-worked if the Kings bat first. In this case, it won’t be a bad idea to have Maxwell in at 3 so that he gets to face as many deliveries as possible. With the kind of form he has been in lately, this move can work wonders for the Kings.

Playing Stoinis at 4, if they are batting first, might also be a good move considering the hitting abilities he showed in the one-day series against NZ. 7 might be too low for a man of his talent.

For the RCB, continuing to open with Shane Watson might be a good move as he has always been a better player of fast bowling, and when the ball is new, he can make great use of the powerplay with the explosive Gayle. A smart move perhaps might be to try and bat Kedar Jadhav at 3 instead of 4, considering the kind of form he showed in the last two matches this IPL. The way he is batting, he might get a hundred if he stays at the crease for 12-14 overs.

In the bowling department, Kings XI must consider playing KC Kariappa ahead of Swapnil Singh as he would add more variety to their attack which might be needed to stop the likes of Jadhav, Gayle and Watson. The RCB must keep faith in the same bowling attack that helped them defend 157 against the DD.