IPL 2018: Kings XI Punjab squad analysis

Often tagged as one of the inconsistent sides of the tournament, the Kings XI Punjab had their best outing under George Bailey’s leadership in 2014 but just could not cross the final hurdle.

In 2018, the Shers of Punjab will look to make the best out of the experienced side that they have managed to put up at the auctions. With Ravichandran Ashwin (100 wickets in 111 IPL games at an economy of under 7) as the skipper, the squad would want to make a fresh start and aim at clinching the title in their eleventh attempt.

The Punjab side has gone big on experience, especially in their batting department that makes them a dangerous side. Before the auctions, Punjab had only retained Axar Patel, but back at the auctions in Bengaluru, the Kings XI Punjab side managed to grab Marcus Stoinis, Mohit Sharma and David Miller via the Right to Match Card.

It was there that Punjab snapped experienced veterans. The likes of Yuvraj Singh and Chris Gayle, who might not be as effective as in their prime but getting them at their base price is a street-smart move. The Australian bowler Andrew Tye, captain Ashwin himself, Mohit Sharma, Barinder Sran etc. make up the bowling attack.

With Indian batsman KL Rahul and Aussie opener Aaron Finch also in the scheme of things, Punjab look a formidable force ahead of the season.

Squad: R Ashwin (C), Axar Patel, Yuvraj Singh, Karun Nair, KL Rahul, Gayle, Miller, Aaron Finch, Marcus Stoinis, Mayank Agarwal, Ankit Rajpoot, Manoj Tiwary, Mohit Sharma, Mujeeb Zadran, Barinder Sran, Andrew Tye, Akshdeep Nath, Dwarshuis, Pardeep Sahu, Mayank Dagar, Manzoor Dar

Batting

Finch would not be available for the first few games

The Kings XI Punjab have a lot of choices as far as batting is concerned. Chris Gayle (200 runs in 9 IPL games in 2017) is likely to open the innings in the first few games since Aaron Finch would not be available. The remainder of the season, for Universal Boss, will depend on how he fares in the few games before the return of Finch.

KL Rahul (725 runs in 39 IPL matches) might get the nod as either of Finch or Gayle’s opening partner. Rahul has been in good nick, yet, he hasn’t been a regular in the Indian national side. A good IPL season might help his case further.

Finch (1206 runs from 36 T20Is) is an experienced campaigner now and has been doing pretty well in the international circuit for Australia. Yuvraj Singh, who captained the Kings XI in the first edition, will hope to make solid contributions for his team in the middle order and stay in consideration for the ICC 2019 Cricket World Cup.

With the explosive David Miller, Karun Nair, Mayank Agarwal - coming from a fairy-tale domestic season, Manoj Tiwary etc, the team seems to have all the ammunition needed for a successful season.

However, bagging a regular wicket-keeper could have been a smarter move at auctions. Rahul is expected to do the job for the team, who, at best, can be termed a part-time keeper. Akshddep Nath, the vice-captain of the U-19 team that won the World Cup in 2012, can be seen as a backup.

All-Rounders

Stoinis will be Punjab's go to all-rounder

Marcus Stoinis would be key to how Punjab perform in the tournament. Stoinis is a proven match-winner (especially in ODI cricket where he averages over 60 in 13 matches and has picked up 7 wickets at an economy of under 6) and would look to perform as per his reputation. The Australian looked good in his recent outings and would hope to carry that form into the IPL.

Axar Patel (over 600 runs and 58 wickets in 59 IPL matches) has a big responsibility on his shoulders as well. Patel hasn’t been as impressive with the bat in the IPL but is quite capable of playing a cameo here and there. Punjab would hope that their retained player has a good season in the IPL.

Although much hasn't been said of Yuvraj Singh (who has 2 IPL hat-tricks alongside his name) the bowler in the recent past, an or over or two and an odd wicket is certainly what Yuvraj’s slow left-arm deliveries can provide.

Bowlers

Skipper Ashwin will lead the spin attack

Andrew Tye has been in sensational form since his heroics in IPL 2017 (6 matches, 12 wickets, at an economy of under 7) with the Gujarat Lions. Tye would be hoping that he has another season like that with the Punjab-based franchise.

Apart from bowling his quota of 4 overs, Tye would be expected to mentor the Indian bowlers in the side like Ankit Rajpoot (38 First class games).

Mohit Sharma (75 IPL matches and 83 wickets), India’s go-to man in the 2015 World Cup, is a good option along with Barinder Sran who has also played for the national side.

Axar and Ashwin in the spin department would be an easy choice, however, there is more variety on offer. Somebody like a Mujeeb Zadran (the 16-year old Afghan player who has already taken 27 wickets in 11 ODIs), for instance, can get a nod in the XI, depending upon the team strategies, venue and opponent.