IPL 2018: 4 reasons why KXIP are on a roll this season
Kings XI Punjab have put on a brilliant run so far in this IPL, which is reminiscent of their extremely successful 2014 season where they ended second best to Kolkata Knight Riders. Though they boasted of some great power-hitters in their ranks, the majority of cricket pundits didn’t expect them to even make it to the playoffs this season. The reason for this writing off was their bowling attack, which reflected a false perception of not being lethal enough to regularly restrict opposition teams.
\Though the pace department is still a work-in-progress, the spin duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Mujeeb Ur Rahman have done a great job so far. Whatever doubts that lingered around their bowling abilities were effectively put to rest by their successful defense of 143-runs against Delhi Daredevils. A few reasons for their exceptional run can be due to the following reasons.
#1 Ashwin: A captain par excellence
When the Kings XI set up decided to hand the reins of captaincy to an ever-thinking Ravi Ashwin everybody applauded that decision and expected a turn-around in the not-so-bright fortunes of Kings XI Punjab. But hardly anyone expected to witness a change-up of this degree that Kings XI will be on top just after six games after decimating oppositions like Chennai Super Kings, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Kolkata Knight Riders. Ashwin’s tactical nuancess and brilliantly calculated moves have been the bedrock of this stupendous performance so far.
He pulled out some brilliant out-of-the-box ideas like asking Mujeeb to bowl upfront to counter Sunil Narine’s aggressive approach; asking Sunrisers to chase down in Mohali; excluding Chris Gayle from the first two matches to increase the fire in him that eventually swallowed Chennai, Hyderabad and Kolkata as he struck two blistering half-centuries and a mind-blowing century to storm the batting charts in just three innings.
Amidst all the unconventional moves he still remains a traditional captain who likes attacking the batting team in the powerplay to take wickets and is not shy of bowling his best bowler straight up for four overs upfront. Kings XI will be grateful to Chennai for letting Ashwin go as he has now become an all-important wheel of their journey in the tournament.