IPL 2020: Strongest Probable Playing XI for Kings XI Punjab

Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) have managed to put up a balanced squad for the 2020 Indian Premier League (IPL). Considering that, they should be one of the favourites to reach the play-offs in this years edition.

Although the Punjab team does not have a great record in the IPL, they would be hoping to turn it around this time. For the record, their best performance was in 2014 when they managed to reach the final but lost in a close match against Kolkata Knight Riders. In the 2019 IPL, they missed the play-off spot and eventually finished 6th.

Having let go of Ravichandran Ashwin before the IPL auction, they have gone in with a fresh approach with the young KL Rahul as captain and the wily Anil Kumble at the helm as Director of Cricket. They did a decent job at the auction table and ensured that the squad had all bases covered with enough backup options.

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

Following is the best probable playing XI which should give them a balanced look.

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#1 Openers (KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal)

KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal

This seems to be a no-brainer with the T20 credentials of KL Rahul and the kind of form and consistency Mayank Agarwal has been showing off-late. Rahul has been in exemplary form for India in the white ball format, both in the T20Is and ODIs. Having captained India to victory in the final T20 against New Zealand and bagging the Man of the Series award in the same series would have given him immense confidence.

Also see – Indian Premier League 2020 schedule

Mayank showcased his potential at the international level last year and even got the best International Debut Award at the BCCI awards this year. Although that was more for his performances at the test level, he is an accomplished player in the T20 format also as suggested by his strike rate of 132.13 across all T20s. Although Gayle is an option here, but his inconsistency and lack of match practice would work against it.

#2 Middle-Order (Karun Nair, Nicholas Pooran, Mandeep Singh)

Nicolas Pooran - Vital cog in KXIP's middle order

Karun Nair would be the best fit to bat at No. 3 as he can bat up the order and would have a good understanding with his Karnataka team mates, Rahul and Mayank. He is an experienced player now, having captained Karnataka this season, and if used well can deliver the goods as was evident when he played for Rajasthan Royals.

Nicholas Pooran can provide the necessary firepower in the middle order and at the fag end of the innings. He can also be a backup wicket-keeper which will provide Rahul some breathing space considering he would be captaining in the IPL for the first time. He was one of the better performers for KXIP in last year's IPL with a strike rate of more than 150. He displayed his immense talent in the Ind-WI ODI and T20 series at the end of last year where he averaged 96.5 in the ODI series with a strike rate of 144.02 (in T20s his strike rate was 200).

Mandeep Singh can play the finisher's role with aplomb considering his experience both in the IPL and at the domestic level. With his growing maturity as captain of Punjab and great form this year, he should be the perfect option to close out the innings. He showed his consistency in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy last year, where he averaged almost 40 and had a strike rate above 145.

Deepak Hooda and Sarfaraz Khan will be the backup middle order batsmen in the KXIP squad with Sarfaraz's great form in the Ranji Trophy holding him in good stead. They can be considered depending on the form of Karun and Mandeep in the initial stages of the tournament.

#3 All-rounders (Glenn Maxwell, Krishnappa Gowtham)

Glenn Maxwell - Could be the game-changer for KXIP

Glenn Maxwell will be the X-factor with the bat at the No. 4 position and will also be the 6th bowling option. He can move up the order to No. 3 as well in case the team gets off to a good start and can provide the required acceleration. His brilliant form in the Big Bash League (BBL) where he averaged almost 40 with a strike rate of nearly 150, will hold him in good stead. If he is on song, he can win them few matches on his own as he can alter the state of the match in a matter of few overs.

But he might be missing few of the initial games due to his elbow injury which would require the team management to make some adjustments in their playing XI. His absence may prompt the team management to either go for Chris Gayle at the top of the order with Mayank and Karun dropping down one position each or go for James Neesham at No.6 if they look for an all-round option.

Krishnappa Gowtham will play the bowling all-rounders role and provide depth to the batting. With his hitting power, he can provide the quick runs at the end of the innings and even bowl in the power-play with his handy off-spin. He was a key player in the Rajasthan Royals setup with his consistent bowling and won them a couple of matches with his big hitting in the end overs.

James Neesham can be the backup all-round option for Maxwell in the initial stages of the league. He can also play instead of Pooran if the team management is looking for additional bowling options.

#4 Bowlers (Sheldon Cottrell, Mohammed Shami, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Murugan Ashwin)

Mohammed Shami - Will be hoping to continue with his excellent form

Sheldon Cottrell was the big buy in the auction with KXIP dishing out INR 8.5 crore for him and will be the perfect new ball partner for Mujeeb with his swing and left-arm angle. He can bowl well at the death as well and is a terrific fielder. He is a true match-winner in T20s having a bowling average less than 20.

Mohammed Shami has been in outstanding form the past year or so and will provide the wicket-taking and death bowling option. He was the highest wicket-taker in ODIs last year and has been performing consistently for India in all 3 formats. He would like to carry that form to the IPL as well and cement his spot in India’s T20 WC squad.

Mujeeb ur Rahman is the most outstanding new ball spin bowler in the world with a lot of mystery and guile. His experience of playing in leagues across the world will hold him in good stead. He averages just 16.20 in T20Is with an economy of less than 5.5 which shows his effectiveness as an economical strike bowler.

Murugan Ashwin can be the leg-spin option and will provide the required variety in the bowling attack. He is an experienced customer now, having played more than 50 T20s and is a consistent wicket-taker with an economy of less than 7.5.

KXIP has plenty of backup bowling options in the squad both in the spin and pace department.

J Suchith and Ravi Bishnoi will be the backup options in the spin department especially with Bishnoi performing admirably well in the under 19 World Cup.

Chris Jordan and Hardus Viljoen will be the backup foreign pace bowling options and can also play instead of Mujeeb in pacer friendly conditions.

Ishan Porel and Arshdeep Singh will be the backup options for Shami and can also play instead of an Indian spinner on pacer friendly pitches.