IPL 2015: Kings XI Punjab's predicted XI

Led by the ever so serene George Bailey, Kings XI Punjab were the most improved and exciting team of IPL 2014. Having failed at the final hurdle last time around, they will be aiming to go one step better this time. Young guns like Manan Vohra, Akshar Patel and Sandeep Sharma were central to their success and responsibility lies on them to repeat their success this year.Also read: Kings XI Punjab IPL 2016 Schedule, Team Squad, and Venue DetailsThe auction strategy of 2014 proved to be a smart one by Bangar and the think tank. A good squad was assembled with a correct mix of International superstars and young Indian talents. The smart work done in the 2014 auction meant that they just needed to consolidate this year and that is exactly what they did. Having let go off Cheteshwar Pujara, they brought in the in-form Murali Vijay as his replacement along with a couple of uncapped players. Here’s their ideal XI for this season:

#1 Virender Sehwag

The Nawab of Najafgarh is one of the best openers to have ever played for India. He is an asset for any team and can single-handedly destroy the opposition bowling and win you games. He is at the heart of the attacking and fearless brand of cricket that Punjab play.

Having been out of the Indian team for quite some time, Sehwag's IPL 2014 wasn't a huge success either. But, in perhaps the biggest game of their season in the play off against the mighty Chennai, Sehwag scored a majestic hundred and won the game for his side. Although it is unfair to expect consistency from Sehwag because of the way he plays and the fact that it is T20 Cricket, Punjab will be pretty happy if he wins them 2-4 games.

#2 Murali Vijay

Despite his obvious talent, Vijay has always divided opinions. But he was one of India's best performers in the Test series against Australia. So his form and confidence will be high, coming into IPL 2015.

Although his tryst with Delhi in the last IPL was an unsuccessful one, he has proven time and again earlier for Chennai, that he is a quality T20 player. He is no slogger, but he sure can score at a high strike with good orthodox strokes.

The decision to pick Vijay or Vohra as Sehwag's opener will be a contentious one. I have, as you see, gone with Vijay and I hope KXIP do the same.

#3 Glenn Maxwell

Glenn 'the freak' Maxwell. The best entertainer in the game currently. Adjectives are aplenty to describe Maxwell and how well he played over the past year or two. He adds that X-factor to Punjab's batting line up and they will be wrapping him up in cotton wool to protect him. In a T20 game, all he needs is 20 to 25 balls to change the complexion of the game. Once he gets going, its next to impossible to contain him.

Having scored 552 runs at a strike rate of over 187 and an average of 34, he was Punjab's best batsman in the 2014 edition. KXIP will be hoping for more of the same with his batting! He rarely bowled last year. But his improved bowling ability, as attested by his performances with the ball in the World Cup, will allow Punjab to use him as their fifth bowler.

#4 David Miller

25 years old and already a key part of the South African team, Miller seems destined to become a world class finisher in the years to come. He is a key cog in the scheme of things for Punjab. I believe Punjab should get their two best batsmen, Maxwell and Miller, in at 3 and 4 to give them as many overs as possible to do maximum damage. He scored 446 runs at a strike rate of 153 last season and generally had a good time, though he was overshadowed by Maxwell's pyrotechnics.

He has this innate ability to clear the ground quite easily and will play a key role in setting up big totals. Punjab will be expecting big things from Miller this time too.

#5 Manan Vohra

Vohra was retained ahead of the 2014 Auction, but wasn't given a single game until the second half of the season, and naturally questions were raised about the decision to retain him. But as soon as he got a game, he set about proving the critics wrong stylishly. With each passing innings, his composure and timing got better and he played some great innings. As admitted by Sehwag himself recently, there were a few innings where he scored at a better rate than Sehwag and relieving pressure off him, which is no mean feat!

His 324 runs in just 8 matches proved valuable for Punjab in the second half of the season when Maxwell's runs dried up a bit. Batting line ups in T20 need to be highly flexible. Vohra will not be rigidly playing at number 5 all the time. With Sehwag and Vijay occupying the opening slots, he has to bat lower down. Last season, the number 3 slot was alternated between Maxwell and Saha depending upon the start Punjab had. A good start would see Maxwell come in, while an early wicket would see Saha come in. I expect the same to happen between Maxwell and Vohra this season. An early wicket would see Vohra come in at 3.

There is some justification required from my part about playing Vohra at 5. Last season, the misfiring bowling meant that Punjab played 5 bowlers and 6 genuine batsmen(including Saha) with Akshar or Rishi Dhawan, the all-rounders, coming in at 7. If the same trend continued this season, Vohra would have a tough time getting into the side. But as I have already stated, Maxwell the bowler coming to the fore will allow Punjab to play an extra batsmen and that batsmen should be Vohra.

#6 George Bailey

Bailey has become one of those players whose captaincy skills are rated higher than his batting skills. Though his T20 credentials are not as strong as those of Maxwell or Miller, he is a competent batsmen and a good finisher. His international T20 striker rate of 146 and average of 27 shows just that.

His importance to the team as a captain is massive. He is the calm and understated folly to the more flamboyant characters around him like Mitchell Johnson, Maxwell etc. Overseas captains in the past had difficulties getting the best out of young Indian talents, but not this man. Together with the help of the support staff, Punjab have been getting the best out of youngsters. Axar Patel, Rishi Dhawan etc pulled off good performances in tight situations under pressure last season and Bailey will once again be key in getting them to perform well in IPL 2015.

#7 Wriddhiman Saha

He will be the designated specialist Wicket Keeper in the side and should come in at number 7. Although his skills as a keeper are well known, with many pundits calling him India's best keeper, his skills as a batsmen are very underrated.

He showed his batting skills last year in the finals when he stuck a 100. Although he is very much capable of playing higher up the order, Punjab’s batting riches will unfortunately curtail him into a lower order batting role. He is a reliable player and Punjab will count on him for some good performances.

#8 Akshar Patel

Axar has enjoyed a meteoric rise in his career and it all started at last year's IPL. There's still debate about whether he is a bowling all rounder or a batting all rounder. I won't go into that debate. He gets into this side for his skills as a spin bowler though. He will be Punjab's first choice spinner and a lot will rest on him to perform well. As the IPL goes into the second half of the season when the wickets become a bit more dry, he will have to put up his hand on more than just one occasion. His control, variation in flight and ability to get bounce will be key.

He comes in at number 8 in this team.

#9 Rishi Dhawan

Dhawan has been a consistent performer in the Ranji circuit for a few seasons now. The recently concluded Ranji season was also a good one for him. He was fifth on the list of top wicket takers, with 40. He is a very good lower order batsman as well and will add depth to the batting line up. He will be the designated first change seamer in the attack and will also bowl a few overs at the death.

#10 Mitchell Johnson

Johnson is the one the team will rely upon to rattle the opposition with pace and he completes the 4 overseas players quota. His form has been a bit indifferent, as seen during the World Cup. But I hope he will be running in, trying to bowl fast and be aggressive and knock a few early wickets.

With his pace, he is bound to go for a few runs even off good balls. But if he can get 2-3 wickets a game, Punjab should be happy. There are doubts about his death bowling though. Michael Clarke tried to finish Johnson's quota before the death during the World Cup. He can also add a few lusty blows at the end and him coming in at 10 is testament to the batting depth of Punjab!

#11 Shardul Thakur

The Mumbaikar impressed one and all with some great performances during the Ranji trophy season. He finished tied with Vinay Kumar as the highest wicket-taker. It was a smart move by Punjab to snap him up as they were a bit light in the bowling department.

The experienced Parwinder Awana may also start a few games if Thakur fails to seize his chances. And an extra spinner like Karanveer Singh may also play a few games instead of Shardul, on tracks that are helpful for spin like the one at Eden Gardens.