IPL 2019: Shaun Tait speaks on changes in the Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) bowling lineup

Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) has been having a mixed bag of fortunes when it comes to their performances in the ongoing IPL 2019. The Punjab-based team has played 7 matches so far and has won 4 and lost 3 matches and is placed on the fourth spot on the points table in the Indian Premier League (IPL) with 8 points.

The Ravi Ashwin-led Punjab started off well with a win against Rajasthan Royals, they then lost to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) but came back to beat Mumbai Indians (MI), Delhi Capitals (DC), and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). However, their last loss against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and MI have hurt them badly in terms of points. The loss against MI stung them, as a Pollard special handed them a defeat in a match that they should have won.

It all came down to their bowling options as Ashwin has regularly gone in with five specialist bowlers in all the matches and this shortcoming came to fore against Mumbai, as Pollard took advantage of this and slammed Sam Curran and Ankit Rajpoot to all parts of the ground in a scintillating innings of 83 runs in 31 balls.

Shaun Tait suggests changes to KXIP bowling

While analyzing Punjab’s game against Mumbai, former Australia and Rajasthan Royals pacer Shaun Tait suggested making some changes to the KXIP lineup to bolster their bowling. So far, Mohammad Shami has been their best bowler with 9 wickets to his name and captain Ashwin has picked 8 wickets. Sam Curran has 7 wickets to his name with four of them coming as part of his hat-trick against Delhi Capitals.

“Possibly, I mean they have to go for AJ Tye. over the past few seasons, he has been a proven bowler under pressure. But in the current season, he isn’t the same bowler, not sure he is the same reliable guy anymore,” Tait was quoted as saying in ESPNcricinfo.

Kings XI Punjab has shown faith in David Miller, who has scored one fifty this season in his 131 runs in six games. However, apart from that innings, he has not been in the sort of destructive form that has made him a permanent fixture in the Punjab-based franchise. Shaun Tait suggested bringing in Australian all-rounder Moises Henriques in place of Miller, as Henriques can also be handy with the ball apart from his batting.

“The only other option is to bring in Moises Henriques, as he can bat and bowl so you might be able to get two overs out of him. He should come in for David Miller. No doubt Miller is a good cricketer, but at the moment he is not playing the way he usually does. I don’t see what u will lose bringing Henriques in, you will get a couple of overs in,” Tait added.

[interaction id=”5cade8e2360ad8a72ba27a3b”]

Get the latest Cricket News and updates from the Indian Premier League (IPL), Match Predictions, Fantasy Cricket Tips and lots more on CricTracker.com.