With the 2020 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) all set to get under way in the UAE, the eight franchises have been busy with their preparations for the marquee T20 event.
Nearly two months of non-stop cricketing action will entertain fans around the globe as the very best from India and some of the biggest overseas stars take centre stage in the UAE.
Here, we look at how Kings XI Punjab are shaping up for the tournament.
SQUAD
KL Rahul (captain), Arshdeep Singh, Chris Gayle, Chris Jordan, Darshan Nalkande, Deepak Hooda, Glenn Maxwell, Krishnappa Gowtham, Hardus Viljoen, Harpreet Brar, Ishan Porel, Jagadeesha Suchith, James Neesham, Karun Nair, Mandeep Singh, Mayank Agarwal, Mohammed Shami, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Murugan Ashwin, Nicholas Pooran, Prabhsimran Singh, Ravi Bishnoi, Sarfaraz Khan, Sheldon Cottrell, Tajinder Dhillon.
CAPTAIN – KL Rahul
Image – BCCI/SPORTZPICS.
With former skipper Ravichandran Ashwin being traded to Delhi Capitals ahead of the IPL auction, the responsibility of leading KXIP in 2020 falls on the able shoulders of KL Rahul. If the side needed a man to lead by example, then they have got the perfect candidate in the India opener.
While he has all the makings of an all-format player, it is at the T20 level that Rahul has delivered his best for both club and country. The right-hander has been in sensational form for the Kings XI in the past two editions, with his promotion to open the innings working wonders for his confidence.
He was in sublime form in the 2018 campaign in which he scored more than 650 runs at an average of nearly 55. That average was maintained in 2019 as Rahul plundered nearly 600 runs after an excellent second half. He has been India’s best batsman in the T20 format over the past two years and comes into the IPL as a man in the midst of a purple patch.
If his captaincy is anything like his batting, then KXIP can dream of landing their maiden IPL title.
OVERVIEW
As one of the three franchises who are yet to win the competition, Kings XI will be desperately chasing silverware in the UAE. On paper, it is a team which has finished in the bottom three on four occasions of the last five seasons.
For many experts, they might not be the favourites for the title, but the squad strength in the roster makes them one of the dark horses. Some shrewd acquisitions in the most recent window means the franchise boasts one of the most impressive overseas contingent in the IPL.
Veteran opener Chris Gayle will look to continue his threatening partnership with Rahul at the top, and the duo will ensure that KXIP always start on the front foot. In the middle-order, two highly explosive batsmen in the form of Glenn Maxwell and Nicholas Pooran should be able to strike fear into the opponent’s heart.
There is further batting ammunition in young Sarfaraz Khan and Deepak Hooda, with the former coming into the tournament on the back of a prolific domestic season.
Blackcaps all-rounder James Neesham provides another aggressive batting option, though the franchise will find it tough to squeeze him into the playing XI in the wake of other more attractive options.
Image – BCCI/SPORTZPICS.
The same conundrum of plenty exists for Kings XI with the ball as well, with the likes of Sheldon Cottrell in danger of missing out despite being purchased for a hefty fee. The West Indies pacer is a fine addition to the team roster and is a wicket-taking bowler by all means. Whether he will get regular playing time in the UAE remains to be seen, especially in light of the spin friendly tracks.
In the spin department, options are aplenty in the form of Afghanistan’s Mujeeb ur Rahman and India’s Murugan Ashwin. However, the real gem could be leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi who was terrific for India in the 2020 U19 World Cup.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Domestic – Mayank Agarwal
While KL Rahul will undoubtedly be Kings XI’s batting lynchpin, Mayank Agarwal could turn out to be an equally important piece in the final puzzle. The right-handed batsman has enjoyed a fine start to his India Test career, although he has found it difficult to break into the limited-overs outfits.
With two back-to-back T20I World Cups coming up in the next two years, there is plenty of incentive for Agarwal to show his white ball chops in the UAE. Some glimpses of his limted-overs ability were seen in last year’s IPL campaign as Agarwal helped himself to a couple of half-centuries.
He will need to show more consistency this time round if he really wants to force his way into the Indian team. The talent is clearly there, and Agarwal’s domestic white ball displays provide testimony to his potential to succeed in the shortest format.
Overseas – Glenn Maxwell
The Australian maverick didn’t have had the best of times in the recent T20I series against England, but his performances over the last few years have been notable.
Despite being shifted around the batting order on a constant basis, Maxwell has more often than not delivered the required goods for Australia. Consistency might not be the Aussie’s forte, though the breakneck speed of his batting means he can change the complexion of the game in the blink of an eye.
While he has been hit and miss over the years in the IPL, Maxwell’s strike-rate of over 160 tells its own whole story. The Australian spurned a chance to play in the competition last year in favour of a stint in county cricket.
The desired Test call-up wasn’t forthcoming for him despite the move, and he will be itching to make up for lost time on his return to the IPL. A lucrative contract has reunited him with the Kings XI, and the expectations from him are certainly sky-high.
Youngster – Ravi Bishnoi
Those who witnessed Ravi Bishnoi in action in the ICC U19 World Cup earlier this year will know that Kings XI have made quite the coup by bagging his signature.
The 20-year-old wrist-spinner from Rajasthan finished as the highest wicket-taker in the competition after bamboozling the batsmen with his deceptive variations. He is a leggie who generates significant turn while also possessing an absolutely lethal googly.
The IPL provides him the chance to be mentored by his idol Anil Kumble and he will certainly relish the opportunity to learn from the legendary India leg-spinner. Conditions in the UAE will suit him to the tee and he faces a direct contest with Murugan Ashwin for the second spinner’s slot in the playing XI.
There are several exciting young talents who will debut in this year’s IPL and Bishnoi’s name is up there at the top.
Predicted XI: KL Rahul (C and WK) Chris Gayle, Mayank Agarwal, Sarfaraz Khan, Glenn Maxwell, Nicholas Pooran, Deepak Hooda, Krishnappa Gowtham, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Mohammed Shami, Ravi Bishnoi, Ishan Porel.
