Kings XI Punjab in a must win situation against Daredevils

The sleepy town of Dharamsala will come abuzz on Sunday when Kings XI Punjab face Delhi Daredevils in their must-win encounter to stay alive in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

The swanky Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) Stadium is all set to host matches in its second season. The stadium became the second home venue of Kings XI Punjab last year.

As the HPCA hosts Adam Gilchirst and Co. for the second consecutive season, it will hope that the change of venue would bring some luck for the Punjab team.

For Daredevils it will be a battle to redeem their pride. They have played in some extreme conditions. Chennai was hot, sweaty and oppressively humid. But the weather here and the snow-covered mountains in the background will give them a nice feeling.

Daredevils have lost their last two games and that has dented their confidence and now they are desperately searching for a spark of inspiration from their new captain James Hopes.

Kings XI Punjab are on a roll. They knocked the mighty Mumbai Indians and then scraped their way past the Tuskers, chasing down a stiff target.

With three home games at Dharamsala, the Kings will take their chance to make the last four.

Meanwhile in another match at Indore, Kochi Tuskers will take on Rajasthan Royals.

Rajasthan Royals still have an outside chance of making the play-off and will be eyeing nothing less than a victory against the Tuskers, who are already out of contention.

Rajasthan are currently placed at the fifth position in the team standings with 11 points from 12 games.

But to qualify for the play-offs, the Shane Warne-led side first will have to win their remaining two games and hope that some other results go in their favour.