IPL 2020: Kings XI Punjab's strongest possible line-up

The runners-up of IPL 2014, Kings XI Punjab will enter IPL 2020 with an aim of winning their first IPL trophy. The franchise owners have altered the team’s backroom staff frequently without much success. This year though it seems like Kings XI Punjab will make it big because their coach Anil Kumble possesses the talent of getting the best out of his players.

The former Indian head coach starred in the auction yesterday as the cricket universe lauded his auction strategy. KXIP announced KL Rahul as their new leader and, they bought back their former skipper Glenn Maxwell for ₹10.75 crores. Besides, they even splashed out ₹8.50 crores for the left-arm seam bowler Sheldon Cottrell. Kumble even went after uncapped leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi in the auction, signing him for a price of ₹2 Crore. KXIP also bought James Neesham for a bargain price of ₹50 lakhs, which is a steal and a half.

Kings XI Punjab Full Squad for IPL 2020: Chris Gayle, Mayank Agarwal, Karun Nair, Sarfaraz Khan, Mandeep Singh, Sheldon Cottrell, Ishan Porel, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammed Shami, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Arshdeep Singh, Hardus Viljoen, M Ashwin, J Suchith, Harpreet Brar, Darshan Nalkande, Glenn Maxwell, James Neesham, Chris Jordan, Krishnappa Gowtham, Deepak Hooda, Tajinder Singh Dhillon, KL Rahul (C), Nicholas Pooran, Prabhsimran Singh.

Here’s a look at their strongest playing XI for IPL 2020.

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Openers | KL Rahul (c & wk) and Chris Gayle

The former Royal Challengers Bangalore stars will continue to open for Kings XI Punjab

The right hand-left hand combination of KL Rahul and Chris Gayle should continue opening the innings for the Mohali-based franchise as they had a commendable job in the previous two IPL seasons. Rahul has been the leading batsman of Kings XI while Gayle has proven that he can still win matches for his team.

Rahul will face a new challenge this year because he has never captained an IPL team in the past. Since he will have to stay active on the field, Rahul should take up the responsibility of keeping the wickets for Kings XI Punjab. Besides, he should also try to make the maximum use of the experience that the 40-year-old Chris Gayle possesses.

Middle-Order | Mayank Agarwal, Karun Nair and Glenn Maxwell

Mayank Agarwal needs to prove himself as a match-winner in the T20 format

Mayank Agarwal ruled the roost in Test cricket this year. He cemented his spot in the Indian Test team with some incredible performances in the batting department. However, the Karnataka-born batsman will look to break into India’s limited overs sides soon and, the first step in that direction will be to play good cricket in the IPL. He will bat at number 3 for Punjab as he has the talent to anchor the innings.

The former captain of Delhi Daredevils, Karun Nair has been underused by Kings XI Punjab. The team management could not decide Nair’s role in the team. But, this year, Anil Kumble should allot him the number 4 slot because he can play his natural game there. The right-handed batsman has the talent to pace the innings well hence, he can be a valuable asset for the team.

Glenn Maxwell will be the best pick to bat at the number 5 position. The former Delhi Capitals player had been the biggest impact player of IPL 2014 but, he could not replicate the same performance in the succeeding tourneys. He missed the previous season owing to the 2019 World Cup however, he will look to make a glorious return to the IPL this year.

All-Rounders | Jimmy Neesham and Krishnappa Gowtham

Jimmy Neesham is one of the best T20 players on the planet

New Zealand all-rounder, Jimmy Neesham will make his return to the IPL. Though he has been a part of multiple teams, he has achieved little success in the IPL. He will look to make his mark in the T20 league by shining for Kings XI at number 6. Besides, the team management will expect him to contribute his bit in the side’s fast bowling attack.

Krishnappa Gowtham will be the team’s leading spin bowler. Gowtham had been the breakout star of IPL 2018 however, a quiet season in 2019 forced the Rajasthan Royals to trade him out of their squad. Kings XI Punjab recruited him during the trade window as Anil Kumble would have noticed Gowtham’s KPL heroics.

Although he will be a key player for them, he may face competition from the team’s newest signing Deepak Hooda and former Mumbai Indians star Jagadeesha Suchith in the playing XI. Given that Gowtham is in better form, he should be the team’s first pick.

Bowlers | Mohammed Shami, Sheldon Cottrell, M Ashwin and Ishan Porel

Sheldon Cottrell will be the player to watch out for

Mohammed Shami will lead the fast bowling attack of Kings XI Punjab which would also comprise Sheldon Cottrell and Arshdeep Singh. Shami has evolved as a bowler in the year 2019 while Cottrell has earned the praise of the cricket world with his left-arm pace. He shone with the ball for West Indies in the 2019 World Cup thus, Kings XI Punjab bought him for an expensive price.

Murugan Ashwin will be the leading Indian leg-spinner of the Mohali-based franchise. The Indian youngster has been playing T20 cricket for quite a while and has foxed the batsmen with his spin. He has a good amount of IPL experience now and will be looking to form a good partnership with Krishnappa Gowtham in the spin bowling department.

Ishan Porel is likely to receive his maiden IPL cap in 2020 as the right-arm fast bowler had been very impressive at the U-19 level. He went unsold last year but since Kings XI Punjab have bought him in this auction, they will try to unearth the talent in him by giving him more opportunities this season.