KL Rahul has scored 522 runs in 13 games with a strike-rate of shade under 130 and six scores of above 50 (one century and five 50s). Gayle has scored 462 runs in 12 game with a strike-rate of 152 plus and a top score of 99.

"We have to address the areas that we are lagging. One such area is the Powerplay both with the ball and the bat. Last year, we had a great batting Powerplay with Chris (Gayle) and KL (Rahul) but this year we couldn't get off to great starts, obviously because the pressure was on them and they had to like, do a job," Ashwin said after losing by seven wickets to Kolkata Knight Riders.