CLT20 2014: SWOT analysis of Kings XI Punjab

In their debut season, the Kings XI team looks like a formidable unit. They went through the IPL with a freshness of approach and a boldness of trundle that left even intimidating teams like Chennai Super Kings razed. Their juggernaut was brought to a standstill by Manish Pandey’s heroics in the final, but until then Kings looked like the team that would lift the trophy. Preity Zinta has been probably the most dedicated owner after Shahrukh and she can definitely hope for some silverware from this unit of hers. Kudos to the management for picking a Kings XI Punjab team that has a brilliant blend of strengths, an aggressive streak in one batsman complemented by a calm one, a scary-fast bowler complemented by a seasoned and experienced campaigner.

#1 Strengths

The biggest strength of the team is its top 5, which is rivalled only by Chennai Super Kings. On a good day, they can come really hard at you. Virender Sehwag, Wriddhiman Saha, David Miller, Glenn Maxwell and George Bailey are all quality batsmen equally capable on both, turning and fast pitches. Throw in domestic players like Manan Vohra and Mandeep Singh and you have a chunky batting unit. They have a good problem because Thisara Perera is left out to accommodate the fiery-fast Mitchell Johnson.

Their other strength is their bowling unit which has variety. Johnson’s searing pace is complemented by Balaji’s experience with bowling on slow, domestic pitches. The young Akshar Patel has really been impressive in tightening the screws with his slow left-arm spin. Punjab can also bring in Himachal’s young all-rounder Rishi Dhawan who has contributed with bat and ball in the last IPL season. Parvinder Awana on his day is brisk and can move the ball, making the Kings XI team the complete unit.

What makes them better than the sum of their parts is the cool-headed George Bailey, who is in the MS Dhoni mould of captaincy, composed at all times and assertive without being furious. Their coach Sanjay Bangar is the behind-the-scenes strength that drives the Punjab engine.

#2 Weaknesses

Unlike Mumbai Indians which is a batsman short or Kolkata Knight Riders, vulnerable on fast pitches, Kings XI Punjab doesn’t really have a glaring weakness in their team. Three flamboyant batsmen are complemented by two steady ones. There are three pace bowlers and a super-consistent spinner. Even on an off-day Punjab have their bases covered.

About the only weakness in the Punjab team is when Johnson has a bad day. Awana is inconsistent and that leaves Punjab with no wicket-taking menace in their wings. Both Balaji and Akshar Patel are consistently steady and can keep it tight but are not outright wicket-takers. That is why Kings XI fancy themselves to chase down big targets which they had in the IPL, repeatedly chasing down 180+ scores.

#3 Opportunities

Kings XI will have a chance to ease into their tournament. They have qualified for the main round by virtue of making it to the finals of the IPL. Their first two matches are against the Hobart Hurricanes and Barbados Tridents, two of the weaker sides of the tournament, largely because of an exodus of players.

Hobart isn’t the second best team even from Australia and is present only by virtue of their upset win over table-toppers Melbourne in the Big Bash semi-finals. Kings XI should try to win these two matches clinically, so that they are in a good position before meeting Cape Cobras and a tough qualifier like Mumbai Indians.

#4 Threats

Kings XI have a relatively easy group before proceeding to the knock-outs. Punjab should make it to the knock-outs along with Cape Cobras. Its real threat would be in the semi-finals because the other group has three strong teams in Kolkata Knight Riders (Punjab’s nemesis), Chennai Super Kings (the most experienced team in Champions League) and Perth Scorchers.

KKR on a slow low pitch in Hyderabad or even against Chennai Super Kings is the biggest threat to Kings XI’s campaign. George Bailey’s presence in the team means that Punjab will have a way to deal with the Australian sides, not so much the two IPL champions in CSK and KKR, probably their biggest roadblocks in this tournament.

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Edited by Staff Editor