IPL 2018 Game 2 Preview: Punjab, Delhi to face off in clash of underachievers

Kings XI Punjab will face Delhi Daredevils in the second match of the Indian Premier League (IPL)’s eleventh edition at the Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali on Sunday.Both teams have a history of underachieving in the tournament and are yet to qualify for the final of the mega event.Therefore, the fans will be expecting a much better show from their respective franchises in the upcoming edition.

For Punjab, the likes of veteran middle-order batsman Yuvraj Singh, Manoj Tiwary, two-time World T20 champion opener Chris Gayle, youngster Lokesh Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Australia’s Aaron Finch and South Africa’s David Miller will share the batting responsibility.

The likes of captain Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, and Australia’s Marcus Stoinis will play the all-rounder role for the franchise.In the bowling department, the team will be banking on the experience of former Chennai Super Kings pacer Mohit Sharma, Andrew Tye, Ankit Rajpoot in the pace unit, whereas the spin attack will comprise of Ashwin, Patel and Karun Nair.

On the other hand, Delhi is going in the tournament with an interesting combination and with a new captain in Gautam Gambhir, who has already lifted the title twice with Kolkata Knight Riders.In the batting department, the team will be depending on the likes of Gambhir, Shreyas Iyer, England’s Jason Roy, Australia’s Glenn Maxwell, New Zealand’s Colin Munro and Naman Ojha to provide the much-needed runs on the board.

In the bowling department, the team have already suffered a massive blow as South Africa’s ace pacer Kagiso Rabada has been ruled out due to a back injury.In his absence, Delhi will be depending on the likes of South Africa’s Chris Morris, Mohammad Shami, Harshal Patel and Shahbaz Nadeem to provide the all-important breakthroughs.

The pitch in Mohali is one of the fastest ones in India, so expect some bounce and carry which will assist the stroke-makers, whereas the weather is expected to stay fine throughout.