IPL 2018: Kings XI Punjab squad analysis
Often tagged as one of the inconsistent sides of the tournament, the Kings XI Punjab had their best outing under George Bailey’s leadership in 2014 but just could not cross the final hurdle.
In 2018, the Shers of Punjab will look to make the best out of the experienced side that they have managed to put up at the auctions. With Ravichandran Ashwin (100 wickets in 111 IPL games at an economy of under 7) as the skipper, the squad would want to make a fresh start and aim at clinching the title in their eleventh attempt.
The Punjab side has gone big on experience, especially in their batting department that makes them a dangerous side. Before the auctions, Punjab had only retained Axar Patel, but back at the auctions in Bengaluru, the Kings XI Punjab side managed to grab Marcus Stoinis, Mohit Sharma and David Miller via the Right to Match Card.
It was there that Punjab snapped experienced veterans. The likes of Yuvraj Singh and Chris Gayle, who might not be as effective as in their prime but getting them at their base price is a street-smart move. The Australian bowler Andrew Tye, captain Ashwin himself, Mohit Sharma, Barinder Sran etc. make up the bowling attack.
With Indian batsman KL Rahul and Aussie opener Aaron Finch also in the scheme of things, Punjab look a formidable force ahead of the season.
Squad: R Ashwin (C), Axar Patel, Yuvraj Singh, Karun Nair, KL Rahul, Gayle, Miller, Aaron Finch, Marcus Stoinis, Mayank Agarwal, Ankit Rajpoot, Manoj Tiwary, Mohit Sharma, Mujeeb Zadran, Barinder Sran, Andrew Tye, Akshdeep Nath, Dwarshuis, Pardeep Sahu, Mayank Dagar, Manzoor Dar