Reports: Chris Gayle set to replace Glenn Maxwell in KXIP line-up for SRH game

Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) is struggling a lot in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Despite both the openers, KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal, being among the top 3 highest run-getters, the team is languishing at the bottom of the points table. They have won only one game thus far and lost four even as the time is running out for them.

The form of the middle-order batsmen and death bowling has been their major issues. Apart from that Australia all-rounder Glenn Maxwell is yet another major concern. He landed in the UAE after playing a match-winning knock in the deciding ODI against England. But he is yet to replicate his good form in the IPL. He has scored only 41 runs in five matches.

According to the reports in InsideSport, KXIP is now considering to drop Maxwell and include Chris Gayle in the line-up to add more fire power to their batting for the game against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on Thursday. In that case, either Mayank Agarwal or KL Rahul may bat at three lending solidity to middle-order.

KXIP likely to include Mujeeb Ur Rahman in the XI

There are also chances of Afghanistan prodigy Mujeeb Ur Rahman playing against SRH in place of Chris Jordan. The England pacer was touted to be their death bowler. But he has played only a couple of games and has conceded a lot of runs failing to replicate his international form with the ball.

Even KXIP batting coach Wasim Jaffer earlier said that the likes of Gayle and Mujeeb should play sooner for the team before things go out of hand for them. However, with the successful opening batsmen splitting up, KXIP will have a brilliant top three and also have Nicholas Pooran and Mandeep Singh to finish things off at the end of the innings.

KXIP’s predicted XI for SRH game: KL Rahul (C & WK), Chris Gayle, Mayank Agarwal, Nicholas Pooran, Mandeep Singh, Sarfaraz Khan, Murugan Ashwin, Ravi Bishnoi, Sheldon Cottrell, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Mohammed Shami.