IPL 2018: How Kings XI Punjab could line up for their opener

Kings XI Punjab are one of those sides who have not been consistent enough in their performances. This could be attributed to the constant changes in their squad and the leadership. They did a decent job this time around, though, in the auctions and have some power-packed performers onboard.

KXIP have one of the most star-studded squads in this IPL. However, if history is anything to go by, there have been numerous occasions where teams, with the biggest of names, have not been able to have an impact in the IPL. With a question mark over the forms of some big guns like Yuvraj Singh, Chris Gayle, R Ashwin and David Miller, Kings XI Punjab cannot afford to be too reliant on them.

How this powerhouse team performs under the captaincy of level-headed Ashwin will be the key to their chances this year. Now, let's see how they might line up for their tournament opener.

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Openers (Aaron Finch and KL Rahul)

One of the best openers in limited overs cricket, Aaron Finch is likely to play ahead of Chris Gayle. Finch has been in a good form of late, and, has the ability to decimate any bowling attack. The Australian batsman will have the responsibility to get his team off to a flying start.

One of the underutilised gems in the Indian cricket, KL Rahul will change his colours in this IPL. Rahul shone on many occasions while playing for the RCB, but, with the kind of top order RCB had, he had very limited opportunities. This year he will be fully relied upon as an opener and a wicket-keeper and given that the form of the middle order batsmen looks dicey, he will be the one who will have to anchor the innings.

Middle Order (Karun Nair, Yuvraj Singh and David Miller)

Karun Nair did a fine job for Delhi Daredevils previously while batting at number three. He will need to be a bit more consistent, though. Nair will be expected to stabilize the innings in case of loss of an early wicket and would need to ensure that the destructive lower order is not exposed too soon.

The Prince of Punjab, Yuvraj Singh is back to where he started his IPL journey back in 2008. Yuvraj has a decent IPL record and he has seen quite a few ups and downs in the tournament. He will be looking to make the most of his opportunity playing for Punjab. In the twilight of his career, the southpaw has been a mere shadow of his former self.

Although he had a decent IPL last year, his performances in the domestic T20s have not been encouraging enough. Everyone will be hoping to see the vintage Yuvraj play for his home side.

Kings XI Punjab boasts of many big names but they lack reliable batsmen in the middle order. David Miller has been one of the heroes for Punjab in recent editions, but, he will need to deliver consistently this season. In the absence of Maxwell, Punjab will be heavily reliant on Miller to finish the games and the side will look solid if he gets going.

All-rounders (Marcus Stoinis and Axar Patel)

Marcus Stoinis has really raised his game in the last couple of years. He has grown to be a reliable lower-order batsman and a decent medium pace bowler with clever variations. Stoinis will bring balance to the squad.

The only player to be retained by Kings XI Punjab, Axar Patel has been exceptional playing for them. Apart from his economical bowling spells, the southpaw has the ability to tonk the ball late in the innings as well. With Ashwin as the skipper, it will be interesting to see how Patel is used.

Bowlers (Ravi Ashwin, Andrew Tye, Mohit Sharma and Ankit Rajpoot)

This IPL is going to be very important for Ravichandran Ashwin. He has been away from India's limited overs side for quite a while now and along with the responsibility of captaincy, he would want to make a solid comeback as an able limited overs bowler. Ashwin certainly has the qualities of becoming a good leader, as he is said to be one of the most intelligent and level-headed cricketers.

The Master of knuckle-balls, Andrew Tye is going to be the key to Punjab's death bowling. The shrewd Australian is said to be a T20 specialist bowler and has been performing excellently in various T20 leagues, including the IPL 2017.

Mohit Sharma brings experience to the bowling attack. Ha has great variations, which can be very effective in the death overs. Punjab's death bowling looks in good hands, with Mohit-Tye duo forming a formidable pair.

The young medium pacer Ankit Rajpoot is likely to get a nod in the XI. He has showcased his talent at the domestic level but has not received many opportunities in the IPL yet.