IPL 2018: Best Possible XI for the Kings XI Punjab

The opportunity to be able to build a new team from scratch in the Indian Premier League (IPL) mega-auction was welcome with open hands by Kings XI Punjab. Their silverware shelf is barren after a decade but unlike teams like Royal Challengers who had the team and potential to win the trophy but were still unable to, KXIP did not quite boast of a team that had the power and potential to do so. In a nutshell, they were hardly ever favourited to win.

Earlier, they relied on a few overseas and sometimes even Indian stars to guide their team home. However, overdependence on players like Glenn Maxwell, Shaun Marsh and David Miller did not quite work in their favour when it was crucial. To top it all off, they didn’t have a formidable bowling line to back them up even if their batting clicked. It simply was never viewed as winner material.

Nobody can say so after this auction though. They had their eyes on the players they wanted and have built a team with a terrific Indian core along and have a large firepower with the bat. They will, in fact, see a change in captaincy this year too. Among the plethora of players, their best team can, in fact, give other a run for their money. Here is their Best Possible XI after the auction:

Openers (KL Rahul (wk), Aaron Finch)

With KL Rahul at the top, not only have they ensured a cool head who can negate the new ball and make use of the powerplay but have also made sure that the team has a good wicketkeeping option. He is the ice to the fire that a swashbuckling Aaron Finch can bring to their batting. While Finch attacks, KL Rahul can make sure that his patient yet well-timed approach guarantees a solid foundation is laid for the innings.

He often opened the innings with RCB along with Virat Kohli and Chris Gayle, both of whom focus more on attacking. However, he was often seen batting in the middle because of the various problems that RCB had with their batting combination. In KXIP, expect a consistent stay from Rahul as the opener.

Aaron Finch, on the other hand, was the attacking and explosive batsman that you need at the top of the order for Gujarat Lions. Even though he is known for his clean hard hitting, he is not reckless. KXIP have another option in Gayle at the top order as well, and he may in fact, be better suited with Rahul because of their time together. But Gayle is highly inconsistent so Finch has the upperhand there.

Middle order (Mayank Agarwal, Karun Nair, Yuvraj Singh, David Miller, Marcus Stoinis)

Karnataka batsman Mayank Agarwal has been in and out of various dressing rooms, from RCB to DD to RPS. One thing has been constant, that is, his ability to contribute and answer the team’s call. For KXIP who need a solid No. 3 batsman, Agarwal fits not on the basis of his performances last year because he played only 3 games but because of his recent form in the domestic circuit where he was too hot to handle.

Karun Nair is another solid middle-order batsman who was a pretty costly buy but he should fit their needs to stabilize the middle order, an aspect that KXIP will need to give attention after letting go of Shaun Marsh.

Yuvraj Singh is the highlight of their squad. He lacks consistency and may often fail to contribute but in the few odd games that he does, there is no stopping him. However, KXIP will have to be careful about the batting order because all three batsmen look better at 3.

David Miller will continue to stick with the side and he is one of the most destructive lower order batsmen you can ask for. Even though he hasn’t quite lit the IPL as frequently as he used to in the last few years, the game is never over until Miller is done.

Marcus Stoinis is the all-rounder that they decided to stick with and why not? He is reliable and handy. He is a wicket taker and is capable of picking the team up with the bat even after a collapse. His presence in the lower middle order ensures that the side bats deep.

Bowlers (Axar Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin (C), Andrew Tye, Mohit Sharma)

Apart from all-rounder Stoinis, there is Axar Patel, a spin all-rounder that is valuable in all conditions. He is handy with the bat and extremely intelligent with the ball. He ensures a cheap economy rate and a batting line up that only goes deeper.

Following him is Ravi Ashwin, the side’s second costliest buy and perhaps their preference for the captain. If the owners’ words and keenness to buy him are any indications, they bought a captain in him and not just a bowler. However, it is also likely that local boy Yuvraj Singh could lead the side. Ashwin’s experience is immense and his presence is mandatory, more so when you know he can also bat a bit.

Among fast bowlers, there is Andrew Tye, the hat-trick machine who is an excellent option and should play all games. He is especially excellent during the death overs. He can be backed up with Mohit Sharma who knows his role well. While Tye ensures wickets plus restricted run-flow, Mohit Sharma is a deck hitting bowler who does get the wickets.