Yet to lay their hands on any silverware, Kings XI Punjab remain the perennial underachievers despite having capable squads in previous seasons. This time they have pegged their fortunes on two Bengaluru men, director of cricket operations Anil Kumble and captain KL Rahul.
Can they end Punjab’s run of luck? Barring two seasons (2008, 2014), KXIP have consistently failed to make it to the playoffs and have even been wooden spooners thrice.
Check full IPL 2020 league-stage schedule
CHOP AND CHANGE APPROACH HAS HURT
From Yuvraj Singh in the inaugural edition in 2008 to KL Rahul in 2020, KXIP have been led by as many as 12 captains. They share that record with Delhi Capitals.
THE KARNATAKA ANGLE
Having finished as the second and third highest run-getter respectively in the 2018 and 2019 editions, wicketkeeper-batsman Rahul became the obvious choice for captaincy after the team management decided to trade R Ashwin off to the Delhi Capitals.
With as many as five players in the squad, including Rahul, hailing from the Karnataka side, the skipper feels his job will be easier under the mentorship of fellow statemate Kumble.
SWOT ANALYSIS
WEAKNESSES
The middle-order is brittle. KXIP also lack a credible finisher. There is too much burden on Mohammed Shami in the bowling department and Ashwin’s exit thins the spin bowling.
STRENGTHS
Kings XI Punjab have a stellar support staff with Kumble, Andy Flower, Jonty Rhodes, Charl Langeveldt and Wasim Jaffer. The opening pair of KL Rahul and Chris Gayle, followed by Mayank Aggarwal and Glenn Maxwell, form an enviable top-order.
MAXWELL OPPORTUNITIES
Big chance for fringe players like Mandeep Singh, Deepak Hooda and Sarfaraz Khan to underline their credentials.
THREATS
KXIP have great ability to implode. It can happen again.
OVER THE YEARS
2008: Semis, 2009: Fifth; 2010: Finished last, 2011: Finished fifth, 2012: Sixth, 2013: Sixth, 2014: Finalists, 2015: Last, 2016: Last, 2017: Fifth, 2018: Second last, 2019: Sixth
TOI Likely XI
KL Rahul, Chris Gayle, Mayank Agarwal, Glenn Maxwell, Nicholas Pooran, Sarfaraz Khan, Krishnappa Gowtham, Chris Jordan, Mohammed Shami, Ishan Porel and Ravi Bishnoi.
Can they end Punjab’s run of luck? Barring two seasons (2008, 2014), KXIP have consistently failed to make it to the playoffs and have even been wooden spooners thrice.
Check full IPL 2020 league-stage schedule
CHOP AND CHANGE APPROACH HAS HURT
From Yuvraj Singh in the inaugural edition in 2008 to KL Rahul in 2020, KXIP have been led by as many as 12 captains. They share that record with Delhi Capitals.
THE KARNATAKA ANGLE
Having finished as the second and third highest run-getter respectively in the 2018 and 2019 editions, wicketkeeper-batsman Rahul became the obvious choice for captaincy after the team management decided to trade R Ashwin off to the Delhi Capitals.
With as many as five players in the squad, including Rahul, hailing from the Karnataka side, the skipper feels his job will be easier under the mentorship of fellow statemate Kumble.
SWOT ANALYSIS
WEAKNESSES
The middle-order is brittle. KXIP also lack a credible finisher. There is too much burden on Mohammed Shami in the bowling department and Ashwin’s exit thins the spin bowling.
STRENGTHS
Kings XI Punjab have a stellar support staff with Kumble, Andy Flower, Jonty Rhodes, Charl Langeveldt and Wasim Jaffer. The opening pair of KL Rahul and Chris Gayle, followed by Mayank Aggarwal and Glenn Maxwell, form an enviable top-order.
MAXWELL OPPORTUNITIES
Big chance for fringe players like Mandeep Singh, Deepak Hooda and Sarfaraz Khan to underline their credentials.
THREATS
KXIP have great ability to implode. It can happen again.
OVER THE YEARS
2008: Semis, 2009: Fifth; 2010: Finished last, 2011: Finished fifth, 2012: Sixth, 2013: Sixth, 2014: Finalists, 2015: Last, 2016: Last, 2017: Fifth, 2018: Second last, 2019: Sixth
TOI Likely XI
KL Rahul, Chris Gayle, Mayank Agarwal, Glenn Maxwell, Nicholas Pooran, Sarfaraz Khan, Krishnappa Gowtham, Chris Jordan, Mohammed Shami, Ishan Porel and Ravi Bishnoi.
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