IPL 2017: Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) Probable Playing 11 against Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS)

A new captain is in town

After having endured a terrible season last year, Kings XI Punjab have revamped their entire outfit. Although they have changed both the captain and coach, they have shown trust in the nucleus of the team and have beefed it up this season with few deft signings. 

Apart from having a brilliant top order batting line-up, they can also boast of having the best Indian bowling attack in the competition and this is where they can emerge as the dark horses this season. 

Glenn Maxwell will take charge of the team and will hope this eggs him on to bring back his 2014 form. He might well open the batting as this new found position has given him a lot of success playing for Australia. 

Here’s what their probable playing XI will look for their first match against the Rising Pune Supergiant. 

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Openers: Manan Vohra

The young man has sparkled at the IPL but has never kicked on to make a name for himself. However, he has all the ability and talent to do wonders in the shortest format and if he gets a long rope this season he could well be the man for Punjab. 

He has all the strokes and makes great use of the powerplays and if he manages to back all his promise with steely temperament, he could well emerge as the biggest gains this season. 

In 34 matches in the IPL, the right-hander has scored 728 runs at an average of 24 and a strike rate of 129.53. 

Glenn Maxwell

This might come as a surprise but Maxwell has tasted success as an opener in the recent past and could well carry this trend into the IPL. Also, he is the captain now which means he should lead by example and this position could well allow him to express himself better. 

He had a miserable run previous year, but he is a changed player in 1 year. After having notched up his maiden century in Test matches, the mercurial player comes into this league brimming with confidence. He is a confidence player and now with the added responsibility of captaining the side, Maxwell could well be the x-factor for Kings XI this season.