KXIP vs RCB: 3 areas KXIP need to work on to get back to winning ways

KXIP's campaign has derailed where they would need to win at least two out of their remaining games to make it to the playoffs. Although they are third on the points table, one slip tonight would make it hard for them to make it to the playoffs as there is too much competition and very little breathing space in the points table as it stands currently.

It’s been a whirlwind season for Kings XI Punjab (KXIP). They started off with five wins out of their first seven games. They then had a break of a week, which hasn’t helped them. They have lost three out of their last four games, leaving them in a slightly tricky position as far their position in the playoffs are concerned.

The points table looks really cramped with three teams, KXIP, RR and KKR, on 12 points. KXIP are on third spot due to superior NRR compared to KKR and RR, and also the fact that they have one more game at hand.

But they haven’t helped themselves. The franchise looked a settled unit and everyone felt, along with SRH and CSK, KXIP would sail into the playoffs. But a lot of cracks have developed in their game off late which needs immediate addressing, before it gets too late.

Here’s looking at 3 areas KXIP need to work on to get back to winning ways:

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#1 They must stop being too dependent on KL Rahul and Chris Gayle

KL Rahul

Without a doubt, the best looking opening partnership in IPL 2018. When the ‘Universe Boss’ Chris Gayle and KL Rahul get going in their own distinct, unique styles, there is really no stopping them. But let’s face it, it’s been only them and no one else for KXIP so far.

The middle-order boasts of some fine talent in the form of Karun Nair, Mayank Agarwal, Aaron Finch, Yuvraj Singh, Manoj Tiwary and Axar Patel. Out of all the mentioned names, only Karun Nair has been fairly consistent in his performances, scoring 246 runs in 11 games.

KL Rahul has 537 runs in 11 games and looks unstoppable, and then you have Karun Nair who is the only batsmen to aggregate more than 200 runs this season. This gap is what has affected KXIP’s game in their last four games in particular and they must find ways to address this issue.

Mayank Aggarwal has been a disappointment, Yuvraj Singh doesn’t seem to have it in him, and they need someone who can contribute with the bat apart from the openers and Karun Nair.

They have tried Aaron Finch and Marcus Stoinis in the middle-order and both have offered nothing much. It makes complete sense, on a batting friendly pitch at Indore to draft in David Miller instead of Aaron Finch or Marcus Stoinis. KXIP could sandwich him in between Karun Nair and Mayank Aggarwal in the batting order.

David Miller hasn’t had a long run in this season. The franchise saw something to retain him in the player's auction. The time is right to unleash David Miler on the RCB bowling line-up who can be all over the place.

Miller has had a lean run in the last IPL, but the infusion of someone raring to go, who has been on the sidelines for the last 6-7 games is maybe what KXIP require to put up a better team performance with the bat.

As it’s clear that if they depend too much on KL Rahul and Chris Gayle and if they fail, which is a possibility, then they will be left reeling as their middle order hasn’t oozed too much confidence thus far.

#2 KXIP’s Indian bowlers need to step up and deliver

Andrew Tye

KXIP’s batting and bowling this season has followed a similar pattern - over dependency on two players to win them games. If it's KL Rahul and Chris Gayle with the bat, it’s Andrew Tye with 20 wickets and Mujib-ur-Rehman with 14 wickets who have shouldered the burden of the bowling attack.

Apart from Ankit Rajpoot who impressed in the five games he played, claiming 8 wickets, before missing out on the last couple of games, no Indian bowler- spinner or fast bowler - has been able to build pressure and get wickets when it’s required for the side.

Barinder Sran has had a decent run, but his sheer inability to control the run flow at the death overs has been a cause for concern. The same applies for Mohit Sharma, whose strength was to come in the latter half of the innings and fox batsmen with a variety of slower balls and cutters.

But batsmen across all franchises know what to expect from Mohit Sharma, and unless he adds a few more tricks in his bag, he is going to travel the distance like he has so far. The biggest disappointment would be how their captain R Ashwin, and the player they retained, Axar Patel, have performed.

Their roles are actually well laid out. They need to control the flow of runs in the middle overs and probably get wickets in the process, so that it enables the likes of Andrew Tye or Ankit Rajpoot to come in at the death overs and finish the innings well.

Not only have they not been able to stent the flow of runs, they have not looked like getting too many wickets either. KXIP really need both of them to deliver. It’s that time in the season, where players who can make a difference must stand up and deliver.

KXIP will hope the likes of R Ashwin and Axar Patel would provide adequate support to the likes of Andrew Tye and Mujib in their clash against RCB tonight at Indore.

#3 KXIP need to end the search for the fourth foreign player

David Miller

KXIP have yet to fix their fourth foreign player. It’s a combination of their middle-order performing well below expectations and also the non-performance of those who get selected.

The likes of David Miller, Aaron Finch and Marcus Stoinis have been given a decent run and have been given fixed roles too, yet no one has delivered to their potential. Marcus Stoinis fits the bill - someone who can come in down the order and score quickly, plus he could chip in with at least couple of overs.

Looking at how their bowling has faired in the last few games, it might make sense to probably include Ben Dwarshuis, the Aussie who capitulated to fame after his phenomenal performances in the BBL. That would strengthen their bowling line up and give it more variety with Dwarshuis being a left-arm fast bowler, along with the fact that not many sides would have faced him.

It’s that X-factor that KXIP requires to get their campaign back on track. They should look at picking Yuvraj Singh or Akshdeep Nath and hope that the middle order filled with Indian batsmen find form and score runs.