IPL 2014: Kings XI Punjab's ideal playing XI

7) Rishi Dhawan

Rishi Dhawan

Coming off a successful Ranji season, Dhawan was the highest wicket taker and made considerable amount of runs, as well. Although he has had limited IPL time, he bowled economically and seems to have developed the knack of picking up wickets over the past year. With his batting abilities improving, he could provide some much needed balance to the side.

8) Mitchell Johnson

In red-hot form, Johnson, the Ashes hero and on a roll against SA, had an incredible 2013 and seems to be following the trend in the new year. After regaining confidence with MI in IPL 2013, Johnson returned to the Australian Test side for the Ashes, where he demolished and demoralized the English visitors. Capable of regularly bowling 150+ kph, Johnson is currently perhaps the fastest bowler in the world and possesses one of the best bouncers among those playing the game. With KXIP playing half their matches on spicy Mohali/Dharamshala tracks or all of them in SA, he can be a real asset. He can also hit some useful runs down the order, but his most valuable quality is the ability to instill fear in the opposition.

9) Akshar Patel

An unknown name to most, this young Gujarati enjoyed a fairly successful Ranji with 29 wickets. He can spin the ball a great degree and shows immense promise. Where he holds the edge is his batting; in the few domestic T20 games he has played, he has a strike rate of 206.81 at an average of 22.75. Despite the presence of a more experienced Murali Kartik, Patel should be given a try. If he performs well, KXIP could unearth a future prospect for India.

10) Parvinder Awana

Parvinder Awana

Having enjoyed two good seasons for KXIP, Awana has the ability to bowl fast. More importantly, he is a strike bowler: even if he gets taken for some runs, he will get wickets as well. Under the guidance of Johnson, Awana could learn and improve a lot, and at his age, he could be a good prospect for the future.

11) Sandeep Sharma

Punjab’s front line bowler in the Ranji Trophy, Sandeep Sharma has quickly established his skill with swing. In the Praveen Kumar mould, he can fill in the gap left by the former pacer with his ability to swing it both ways. He might not have express pace but is very dangerous as his T20 average of 17.40 and FC average of 22.78 suggest. He also enjoyed a good debut last season with 8 wickets from 4 matches for KXIP. He can bowl tight, economical spells and knows the Mohali pitch well.

Other than the first XI, the squad has several other quality players for backup. Sadly, with the international quality – KXIP’s long standing lynchpin – Marsh has to be left out, but he can easily make his way back if one of the batsmen fails to perform or needs rest. Pujara, despite all his class, doesn’t fit in the scheme of things. He can be useful on slower pitches like Kolkata, where technique is needed to score. He can also replace Sehwag should he fail, as Pujara can be steady and hold up one end.

Another candidate for the back-up opener is Mandeep Singh. He has had good seasons for KXIP and Punjab in Ranji and can be a stand-in for Vohra. Beuran Hendricks was Ram Slam’s highest wicket-taker with 28 scalps in 11 matches. He also possesses adequate knowledge of SA pitches and can be useful if the IPL is held there. Nevertheless, he provides good back up for Johnson.

Gurkeerat Singh, also a WK, can be played instead of a bowler when batting depth is needed. Murali Kartik is economical and tight and can be brought in if Akshar doesn’t work. Balaji and Perera have the experience and can be useful should the need arise. Balaji, in particular, could be useful on slower pitches like Chennai and Kolkata and has the experience of playing for both those teams.