IPL 2018: 4 reason why the Kings XI Punjab may clinch their maiden title
In the 10 years of IPL since its inception in the year 2008, the team from Punjab has failed to win a single title. The closest they came to winning a title was in the year 2014 when they were the runners-up.
After finishing third in the inaugural edition of the IPL, they failed to go beyond the group stage until 2014. The years 2015, 2016 were indeed disastrous as they finished last in the tournament. The year 2017 saw a bit of an improvement and they finished fifth on the points table.
The 2018 auctions saw the Kings XI acquiring a few exciting cricketers who will look to add value to the team. The team has a perfect mix of Indian youth and experienced players who along with the foreign players will be vital to the success of the team.
Here is a look at 4 reasons as to why the Kings XI will be one of the favorites to win their maiden IPL trophy.
#4 Experienced Indian spinners
In Ravichandran Ashwin and Axar Patel, the Kings have got two spinners who can effectively change the course of the match in T20 cricket. While Ashwin has bowled effectively in the power play overs in the past, Axar can be the perfect go-to option for captain Ashwin in the middle overs.
Spinners have dominated IPL in the past and the experience of Ashwin and Patel will be handy for the team. The duo will be expected to bowl 8 out of the 20 overs in all the matches and will look to replicate their past IPL success this season also, Axar averages 26.67 with the ball in 59 IPL matches with an economy of 7.42.
Ashwin, on the other hand, has an impressive IPL record and has picked up 100 IPL wickets at an average of 24.99 and impressive economy of 6.55. Ashwin, being the captain of the Kings this season, will have a trick or two up his sleeve and will be looking to stage a comeback in the Indian national team on the basis of an impressive IPL performance.
Apart from Ashwin and Patel, the Kings have a part-time spinner in Yuvraj Singh who can be handy and bowl a couple of overs as and when the situation demands.