IPL 2020: 3 selection dilemmas for Kings XI Punjab

With every passing day, we are edging closer to the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League. Every team is shaping up differently and Kings XI Punjab seem to have one of the strongest squads heading into the tournament.

Under their new head coach Anil Kumble, the Punjab franchise are looking to change their fortunes and hopefully win their first-ever IPL title. However, there's a long way to go for that; first and foremost, KL Rahul and the KXIP team management need to find their ideal team combination.

KXIP brought in some top-quality players in the IPL 2020 auctions and that - quite expectedly - will give the franchise something to think about with regards to the selection decisions. Here, we look at three such selection headaches KXIP might face.

#3 Sarfaraz Khan or Mandeep Singh or Karun Nair

Sarfaraz Khan

KXIP have a really strong Indian batting contingent to choose from. And while the top order picks itself (KL Rahul, Chris Gayle and Mayank Agarwal), the number four position is up for grabs.

Also see – IPL 2020 Players

Sarfaraz Khan played there for the majority of last year but he wasn't consistent enough, which means the likes of Karun Nair and Mandeep Singh will have a chance of making that spot their own. While Sarfaraz's attacking nature gives him an advantage, we know how effective both Nair and Mandeep can be too. It would be interesting to see who Rahul goes with at the start of the tournament.

Sarfaraz Khan IPL Career: 33 matches | 408 runs | Avg - 27.2 | SR - 143

Mandeep Singh IPL Career: 97 matches | 1529 runs | Avg - 22 | SR - 125

Karun Nair IPL Career: 69 matches | 1464 runs | Avg - 25 | SR - 129

#2 Krishnappa Gowtham or Deepak Hooda

Krishnappa Gowtham is a new addition to the squad

Another decision that KXIP might have to make is picking between two all-rounders who can not only add depth to the batting department but can also give two to three overs with the ball.

Krishnappa Gowtham, over the past couple of years in the IPL, has been great for the Rajasthan Royals because of the dry conditions on offer in Jaipur. But it remains to be seen whether he will be that effective on the green tracks at Mohali.

That's the reason why KL Rahul might ponder going with Deepak Hooda instead, as he is a tall off-spinner who might extract more bounce than Gowtham. In the end, you have to think that both these players' batting skills might end up being the deciding factor.

Krishnappa Gowtham IPL Career: 22 matches | 144 runs | SR - 174 | 12 wickets | Eco - 8

Deepak Hooda IPL Career: 61 matches | 524 runs | SR - 128 | 7 wickets | Eco - 8.42

#1 Ravi Bishnoi or Mujeeb Ur Rahman or Murugan Ashwin

Mujeeb Ur Rahman celebrating

This year, KXIP will be without their frontline spinner Ravichandran Ashwin (who joined Delhi Capitals in the IPL 2020 trade window). That means KL Rahul and the KXIP team management will have to look at their current options and decide who they want to go with as their leading spin bowler.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman might find it very hard to get into the playing XI because KXIP might go with Chris Gayle, James Neesham, Glenn Maxwell and Sheldon Cottrell as their four overseas options. As for Murugan Ashwin, he has Ravi Bishnoi to fight with.

Bishnoi had an incredible time in the recent ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup, where he picked up 17 wickets in just 6 matches. He will be in the running for the starting XI and it will be interesting to see what team combination Rahul goes with.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman IPL Career: 16 matches | 17 wickets | Eco - 8

Murugan Ashwin IPL Career: 22 matches | 15 wickets | Eco - 7.9