IPL 2019: 5 players who can open the innings for Kings XI Punjab

After starting the season well, Kings XI Punjab lost momentum in the middle part of the tournament and eventually failed to reach the playoffs once again. Even though the team struggled to perform, the openers did exceptionally well throughout the season.

Chris Gayle and KL Rahul were in good form and played some stunning innings at the top of the order. Also, considering the fact that the Kings does not have a strong middle order, the onus will be on the openers to not only provide quick starts to the team but also play long innings.

Apart from the openers that the team had last season, the Kings have added a couple more players who can open in the squad. Here are the 5 players who can open the innings for Kings XI Punjab in IPL 2019.

#5 Prabhsimran Singh

KXIP might gamble with Prabhsimran at the top of the order

Kings XI Punjab surprised a lot of people when they spent big bucks on the young Punjab wicket-keeper batsman Prabhsimran Singh. The youngster, who does not have much domestic experience behind him, plays in the middle order and is known for his big hitting. However, Kings can use him as an opener to express himself more and bat more freely.

#4 Mandeep Singh

Mandeep Singh has the experience of opening the innings in the past

Mandeep Singh will be back in the Punjab side after playing for RCB for 5 years. The local lad is normally used as a floater by his teams as he is capable of batting anywhere in the order. Interestingly, Mandeep earned a name for himself in IPL playing as an opener for the Kings. Considering his strong record as an opener, the 27-year-old can be back in the top order.

#3 Mayank Agarwal

Agarwal will be hoping for an improved performance in IPL 2019

Mayank Agarwal finally broke through in the Indian team after years of consistent performances in the domestic circuit. Considering his rich vein of form in international as well as domestic cricket, Agarwal will look to improve his last year's IPL performance, which was below par. The 28-year-old failed to make an impact with the bat, scoring just 120 runs in 11 matches. However, his current form might help him improve these stats this year.

#2 Chris Gayle

Gayle has been in stunning form for West Indies

Chris Gayle quashed all the questions about his form wearing down because of his age by scoring 368 runs in 11 matches at a phenomenal average of 40.88 in IPL 2018. The Jamaican superstar has been in rich vein of form of late and the Kings will be hoping that he continues his terrific form in the IPL too.

#1 KL Rahul

Can KL Rahul keep his World Cup selection aside and perform well in IPL 2019?

KL Rahul was one of the few Kings XI Punjab players who performed up to their potential in IPL 2018. Opening the innings, Rahul played some stunning innings for the Kings. He continued his great form throughout the season and at occasions won matches single-handedly. The 26-year-old hit 659 runs at an amazing average of 54.91 and a high strike-rate of 158.41 and finished 3rd in the list of highest run-getters of the season.

Unfortunately, Rahul's form has dipped in the last few months. He has been involved in off-field controversies and it will be interesting to see how he copes with all these adversaries. Also, Rahul will be conscious that poor performance in the IPL might further dent his chance of being part of India's World Cup squad. IPL 2019 might well be a make or break year for KL Rahul.