It’s billed as a match between one man in sublime touch versus a team which is packed with in-form players who are maximizing their potential to the hilt.
So, when Kings XI Punjab take on the Rajasthan Royals at the PCA stadium on Thursday, the Punjab’s focus will be on David ‘Killer’ Miller, while Rajasthan will look for contributions from everyone in the team.
Miller has been instrumental in three of Punjab’s five victories this season. In fact, their last three wins came on the back of telling contributions from the South African southpaw.
While it was a 41-ball 80 against Pune Warriors which sealed the match in favor of Kings XI, a different Miller was on show against the Delhi Daredevils, where he guided a modest but tricky run-chase with a sedate 34.
However, when needed, the South African was back at his marauding best, smashing a 38-ball hundred against the Royal Challengers Bangalore and snatching a win for his side from the jaws of defeat.
Such was the impact of the knock that even Chris Gayle’s earlier blitzkrieg took a backseat. Miller possesses the best strike-rate of 175.31 in the tournament this season and has been the go-to man for Kings XI Punjab.
With the bowling department conceding 190, 186 and 174 in the last three games, Punjab skipper David Hussey would want an improved performance from Praveen Kumar and company.
As for batting, no batsman, apart from Miller, has been consistently amongst runs. Though Kings XI have lots of issues to address, one man has made sure that they are still in the race for the play-offs.
On the other hand, Rajasthan Royals have played as a unit. Shane Watson is the pivot around which the Royals revolve but others too have contributed to the team’s cause, especially the younger lot. Sanju Samson has been a revelation with his poise and cool demeanor at the crease.
Ajinkya Rahane and Rahul Dravid have lent solidity at the top and the two have regaled fans with some authentic cricket shots.
Stuart Binny has played the finisher well, whether it’s a tall run-chase or giving the final push when Royals bat first.
src: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Sports/Cricket/IPL/News/Its-David-Miller-versus-the-Rajasthan-Royals/articleshow/19959928.cms