Durban, April 28 (Inditop) Kings XI Punjab will be wary of Sachin Tendulkar and Sanath Jayasuriya’s sensational touch that blew away Kolkata Knight Riders, when they face Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League (IPL) here Wednesday.
Tendulkar and Jayasuriya gave cricket lovers a memorable evening as they decimated Knight Riders bowling attack in a century opening stand to set up a 92-run win against Knight Riders in Port Elizabeth Monday.
The Mumbai team must be high on confidence after witnessing the veterans, with the combined age of 76, produce such exhilarating batting.
Tendulkar said he enjoyed every moment of that partnership.
“There is no better feeling than smashing the ball like that. It was a wonderful partnership for us. Initially I took the strike and then Sanath picked the pace quite well.”
Going by their lofty standards, Tendulkar and Jayasuriya ‘enjoying’ their batting means doomsday for other teams.
Kings XI Punjab certainly do not boast of a great bowling attack, and so they have to come up with a ploy to stop the two from getting a flying start.
Mumbai also have a powerful middle order with players like J.P Duminy and Dwayne Bravo in their ranks.
The pacers Lasith Malinga and Zaheer Khan have bowled with fire upfront, not allowing easy runs to the opposition in the powerplay and also getting the wickets.
Mumbai, with five points from four matches, have raised their game with every match and now look like a formidable unit.
Kings XI Punjab made a slow start in the tournament, but have picked up their game and churned out a good all-round performance to beat Rajasthan Royals in their last match. They have four points from four matches with two wins and placed at fourth position, a notch above Mumbai.
Led by Yuvraj Singh, they have some of the powerful hitters like Ravi Bopara and Kumar Sangakkara.
Their South African recruit Yusuf Abdulla has bowled well, taking four wickets against Rajasthan Royals.
rounak