Punjab out to gain bonus point

Still in with an outside chance of progressing to the play-offs, Kings XI Punjab need to keep their winning juggernaut rolling when they take on a struggling Delhi Daredevils here on Thursday. The first three places in the four-team play-offs have been more or less secured by Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals and there is a four-way race between Royal Challengers Bangalore, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Kings XI and defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders for the last available spot. Kings XI are presently lying sixth in the nine team competition with 12 points from 14 games. And to brighten their play-off chances, the Punjab outfit needs to win both their last two games and hope that RCB and Sunrisers lose their remaining fixtures.

While RCB play table-toppers Chennai Super Kings in their last game, Sunrisers face Rajasthan Royals and Knight Riders in remaining two league matches. But the good thing for Kings XI is that they will be high on confidence coming into Thursday's game at the HPCA stadium here, after having annihilated RCB by seven wickets yesterday while chasing a challenging 174 for five. The Daredevils, on the other hand, are already out of contention for a berth in the play-offs and have only pride to play for. The Daredevils are placed second-last in the points table with as many as 11 defeats from 14 games and have nothing to lose.