IPL 2017 Player Battles: Top 4 player encounters to look for in the Kings XI Punjab vs Rising Pune Supergiant match

#2 MS Dhoni vs Axar Patel

Axar Patel will be looking to get the better of Dhoni this time around

Axar Patel does not have a great history of bowling to the former Indian captain. It was in the last league match between these two teams in the previous season where Dhoni took the left-arm spinner to the cleaners and helped his side avoid bottom spot on the points table.

In the last encounter between the two, Dhoni was facing up to Axar when 23 runs were required off the last over. The odds looked highly in favour of KXIP amidst the constant questions being raised over the capability of Dhoni to finish matches.

But he proved once more why he is regarded as the best finisher of all time. He hit three sixes and a four in the over to take his side home – two sixes came off the last two balls when 12 were needed from two balls.

Generally, Axar is regarded as an economical bowler but that day he encountered a great man at the peak of his powers. Whether Axar can make a comeback and put that over behind him remains to be seen.