IPL 2018: 5 key Indian players for Kings XI Punjab

Since IPL's inception in 2008, the league has managed to keep the cricket enthusiasts enthralled and amazed. This year will be no different as well. All the eight teams are gearing up for the mega event and the season promises to be spectacular.

Kings XI Punjab are known to play a refreshing brand of cricket but the franchise has never been able to win the coveted trophy despite having some big players in their squad.

However, they would be hoping to turn things around this year as they have done some good business in the player auction and have a quality squad at their disposal.

Here, we look at five Indian players who will play a key role for the Kings XI Punjab this season and from whom, the team management and the fans will have high expectations:

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#1 Mayank Agarwal

Mayank Agarwal, the stylish Karnataka batsman has been in excellent form in the Indian domestic season. He is known to be a good timer of the ball and finds gaps in the field by putting minimum efforts.

Agarwal was always destined for big things and it was only a matter of him finding consistency. Though he was not able to make it to the Indian national team despite a commendable run of form, he was picked up by the Kings XI Punjab in the player auction. He will be hoping to continue his scintillating form in the IPL as well.

If he gets going at the top of the order for KXIP, then we are in for a treat as he makes run-making look beautiful. He will be very crucial for the Punjab-based franchise at the top of the order as he would help the team to get off to electrifying starts and set a base for the middle order to capitalize.

He has played 53 matches in the IPL so far and has scored 814 runs at a strike rate of 123.33. He has three half-centuries to his name in the tournament and would be looking to improve on that front.

#2 Axar Patel

Axar Patel was retained by the KXIP

Axar Patel was the only player who was retained by the Kings XI Punjab for IPL 2018. The team management rates the all-rounder highly as he is a utility player in T20 cricket. He is very efficient with the ball and usually bowls a very tight line.

Patel bowls in the powerplay and at the death very often and captains use him to stem the flow of runs. He can also play some cameos lower down the order and is a clean striker of the cricket ball.

Patel would be looking to repay the faith shown to him by the KXIP management.

He is central to KXIP's plans in IPL 2018. He provides incredible balance to the team's composition and has the capability to win games with both the bat and the ball.

This year can also prove to be make or break for his international career as he has been in and out of the Indian team and has failed to seal a permanent spot for himself.

He has 58 wickets to his name in the 59 matches that he has played in the IPL at a staggering economy rate of 7.41 runs per over. He has also scored 606 runs at an impressive strike rate of 128.11.

#3 KL Rahul

Rahul will be hoping to have a good IPL season

KL Rahul has also been in and out of India's limited overs squad mainly due to his inconsistency in the white ball format. The elegant right-hander oozes class and has got the rare gift of timing.

He has become a constant in India's Test squad on the back of some excellent performances but somehow he has not been able to produce the same kind of results in the shorter formats of the game.

Thus, IPL 2018 presents a big opportunity to Rahul to find some consistency and stability in his limited-overs career. KXIP will rely heavily on him as he has IPL experience and there is no denying the fact that he is a natural stroke maker.

Rahul has played 39 matches in the IPL so far in which he has scored 725 runs at an average of 30.20, scoring four half centuries in the process. However, he will be looking to improve his strike rate of 125. 64.

#4 Yuvraj Singh

Yuvraj Singh is back in KXIP colours

Yuvraj Singh has fallen down the pecking order as far as selection in the Indian cricket team is concerned. But he still is a force to reckon with, especially in the shortest form of cricket.

The left hander is destructive against both spin and pace and doesn't take too long to get his eye-in. This rare quality of striking from ball number one made him one of the fierce middle order batsmen in T20s.

He has played for many different teams in the IPL over the past 10 seasons and this year he is back with the Kings XI Punjab.

He is crucial for the KXIP middle order and can also chip in with a few overs as and when required. He will also bring invaluable experience in the dressing room and the young players will have a lot to learn from him.

Singh has featured in 120 games in the IPL so far and has scored 2587 runs at a strike rate of 131.18. He has 12 half centuries to his name. He has been quite useful with the ball as well, picking up 36 wickets at an economy rate of 7.37 runs per over.

#5 Ravichandran Ashwin

Ashwin will lead the KXIP

Ravichandran Ashwin is another player who is a constant in India's Test squad. However, the off-spinner has been constantly overlooked by the selectors for selection in India's limited overs team.

He struggled to pick wickets consistently on tracks that offered very little assistance and his economy rate also suffered. This forced the selectors to give wrist-spinners the nod in limited overs cricket.

Ashwin was not retained by CSK for IPL 2018, a decision that raised many eyebrows. However, he was picked up by the KXIP in the player auction.

He will also have an added responsibility of captaining the franchise and it would be very interesting to see him as a Captain. Thus, he is very crucial for the KXIP this year and the management will be hoping that he leads the franchise to their first IPL triumph.

He still has a lot to offer in limited overs cricket and he would be looking to prove a point in this years IPL. We might also get to see Ashwin-the leg-spinner at IPL 2018.

Ashwin has an excellent economy rate of 6.55 runs per over in the IPL. He has played 111 matches in the IPL so far and has picked up 100 wickets in the process.