Kings XI Punjab has the right mix of players to win the Indian Premier League. Predominantly a side with a distinct ‘Aussie’ flavour, this year, the team boasts of South Africa’s David Miller at the helm.
At the start of every edition, Kings XI promises to go all the way but somehow, falls short of performing to its potential.
Whether Miller manages to bring out the best from this bunch, involving some exceptional cricketers in the shortest format, remains to be seen. What more, the role of Virender Sehwag as a ‘mentor’ will also be watched with interest.
Some hand-picked Australian recruits like Glenn Maxwell, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Johnson and debutant Marcus Stoinis, to go with South Africans Kyle Abbott and Farhaan Behardien bring with them a ‘problem of plenty’ for Miller.
Murali Vijay and Manan Vohra are capable of scoring heavily in the PowerPlay. Wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha can bat anywhere in the middle-order. Gurkeerat Mann will be eager to use the competition to remind the National selectors of his utility as a big hitter.
The team has some good pace-bowling options in home-grown performers such as Mohit Sharma, Sandeep Sharma, Shardul Thakur and Anureet Singh.
The all-round skills of Axar Patel and Rishi Dhawan add to the option at Miller’s disposal.
Should the team strike the right balance in the early games, it is sure to be a serious contender for a place in the play-offs. Like for most teams, Kings XI, too, will find it challenging to select four overseas players in the playing XI. Kings XI has the resources to beat the best in the field. The law of averages favours Kings XI to go all the way. With plenty of pluck and a bit of luck, this exciting combination can give the IPL a new champion!
Best finishes:
2014 Runner-up 2008 Third 2009 & 2011 Fifth
Strengths:
Good batsmen at the top. All-rounders, including spinners Glenn Maxwell and Axar Patel, lend the team the right balance. Plenty of pace-bowling options to trouble the
opposition in all probable conditions. Overall, a very
competitive side.
Weakness:
Lack of a top-quality off-spinner could pose a challenge against teams with some dangerous left-handed batsmen.
Team list: David Miller (captain), Kyle Abbott, Anureet Singh, Armaan Jaffer, Farhaan Behardien, K.C. Cariappa, Rishi Dhawan, Gurkeerat Mann, Mitchell Johnson, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Nikhil Naik, Axar Patel, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Pardeep Sahu, Sandeep Sharma, Mohit Sharma, Marcus Stoinis, Swapnil Singh, Shardul Thakur, Murali Vijay and Manan Vohra. Coach: Sanjay Bangar.
