IPL 2014: Kings XI Punjab's ideal playing XI

Kings XI Punjab have ticked almost all their boxes in the IPL 2014 Player Auctions. They have learned from their previous years and have now put together a healthy mix of inform foreign and domestic players. With the new star power and the domestic talent, they are strong contenders for the title.

Here is what KXIP’s IPL 2014 starting XI should be.

1) Virender Sehwag

Virender Sehwag

Sehwag may have fallen out of national reckoning, and may not be in the best of forms, but his hitting ability is well documented and his IPL record is phenomenal. At just Rs 3.2 crores, he is a bargain buy. Should he regain his form this season, he can be one of the most destructive openers in the tournament. His experience is always welcome, and should the need arise, he can bowl handy off-spin as well.

2) Manan Vohra

Manan Vohra

The franchise showed great faith by retaining him. He played a couple of good knocks in the Ranji Trophy 2013-14. While he did showcase his abilities in patches with the franchise last season, he lacked maturity. A prospect for the future, he plays proper shots and can be very aggressive. This should be a good experience for him, and if he fires, KXIP and India could have a star in the making.

3) Glenn Maxwell

Glenn Maxwell

A tremendous striker of the ball, Maxwell has amazing T20 credentials. He showed his abilities during Australia’s tour of India last year and repeatedly bullied the India A and SA A sides during the triangular tournament, as well. He is a utility player, one who can play aggressively at the top of the order and also provide some lusty blows towards the finish. He has also been working on his spin bowling and could be quite handy on Indian pitches, should the IPL be held there.

4) George Bailey (Captain)

George Bailey

In the form of his life, and arguably Australia’s best limited overs batsmen, Bailey was a steal at Rs. 3.25 crores. He can steady the middle order and accelerate at will. He plays spin well and has shown his potential when he nearly won Australia the ODI series last fall. After a disappointing Ashes, he has again found form with consecutive 40+ scores against England in T20s and another 50 in the BBL final. A proven leader, he will undoubtedly be KXIP’s greatest asset.

5) David Miller

David Miller

KXIP’s player of the tournament last year, he almost single-handedly led them into the play offs. After his whirlwind 101* against RCB, Miller has played well for SA in ODIs and T20s and ended the Ram Slam T20 Challenge 2013-14 as the leading run-scorer. Miller is one of the best finishers in T20 cricket and will provide a lot of firepower to an already strong batting line-up.

6) Wriddhiman Saha (Wicket Keeper)

Wriddhiman Saha

On the fringes of Indian selection – had it not been for Dhoni – Saha could have been India’s first choice wicket-keeper. He is still solid in that department and can play some attractive shots as well. Alternatively, he also provides the calming hand; so he can be used to steady the innings higher up the order should early wickets fall.

7) Rishi Dhawan

Rishi Dhawan

Coming off a successful Ranji season, Dhawan was the highest wicket taker and made considerable amount of runs, as well. Although he has had limited IPL time, he bowled economically and seems to have developed the knack of picking up wickets over the past year. With his batting abilities improving, he could provide some much needed balance to the side.

8) Mitchell Johnson

In red-hot form, Johnson, the Ashes hero and on a roll against SA, had an incredible 2013 and seems to be following the trend in the new year. After regaining confidence with MI in IPL 2013, Johnson returned to the Australian Test side for the Ashes, where he demolished and demoralized the English visitors. Capable of regularly bowling 150+ kph, Johnson is currently perhaps the fastest bowler in the world and possesses one of the best bouncers among those playing the game. With KXIP playing half their matches on spicy Mohali/Dharamshala tracks or all of them in SA, he can be a real asset. He can also hit some useful runs down the order, but his most valuable quality is the ability to instill fear in the opposition.

9) Akshar Patel

An unknown name to most, this young Gujarati enjoyed a fairly successful Ranji with 29 wickets. He can spin the ball a great degree and shows immense promise. Where he holds the edge is his batting; in the few domestic T20 games he has played, he has a strike rate of 206.81 at an average of 22.75. Despite the presence of a more experienced Murali Kartik, Patel should be given a try. If he performs well, KXIP could unearth a future prospect for India.

10) Parvinder Awana

Parvinder Awana

Having enjoyed two good seasons for KXIP, Awana has the ability to bowl fast. More importantly, he is a strike bowler: even if he gets taken for some runs, he will get wickets as well. Under the guidance of Johnson, Awana could learn and improve a lot, and at his age, he could be a good prospect for the future.

11) Sandeep Sharma

Punjab’s front line bowler in the Ranji Trophy, Sandeep Sharma has quickly established his skill with swing. In the Praveen Kumar mould, he can fill in the gap left by the former pacer with his ability to swing it both ways. He might not have express pace but is very dangerous as his T20 average of 17.40 and FC average of 22.78 suggest. He also enjoyed a good debut last season with 8 wickets from 4 matches for KXIP. He can bowl tight, economical spells and knows the Mohali pitch well.

Other than the first XI, the squad has several other quality players for backup. Sadly, with the international quality – KXIP’s long standing lynchpin – Marsh has to be left out, but he can easily make his way back if one of the batsmen fails to perform or needs rest. Pujara, despite all his class, doesn’t fit in the scheme of things. He can be useful on slower pitches like Kolkata, where technique is needed to score. He can also replace Sehwag should he fail, as Pujara can be steady and hold up one end.

Another candidate for the back-up opener is Mandeep Singh. He has had good seasons for KXIP and Punjab in Ranji and can be a stand-in for Vohra. Beuran Hendricks was Ram Slam’s highest wicket-taker with 28 scalps in 11 matches. He also possesses adequate knowledge of SA pitches and can be useful if the IPL is held there. Nevertheless, he provides good back up for Johnson.

Gurkeerat Singh, also a WK, can be played instead of a bowler when batting depth is needed. Murali Kartik is economical and tight and can be brought in if Akshar doesn’t work. Balaji and Perera have the experience and can be useful should the need arise. Balaji, in particular, could be useful on slower pitches like Chennai and Kolkata and has the experience of playing for both those teams.