IPL 2020: Strengths and Weaknesses of Kings XI Punjab (KXIP)

Potential match-winners, the highlight as we look at the strengths and weakness(es) of Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) for IPL 2020.

A revamped leadership, a new-look coaching staff, Kings XI Punjab had plenty of off-screen drama going into the IPL 2020 Auction. After sacking Ravichandran Ashwin as the Captain, KXIP even waited till the end of IPL 2020 Auction to finalize a new captain, but for unknown reasons, they named KL Rahul as their new heir for IPL 2020. 

The Anil Kumble led Team management did a wonderful job at the auction. They created a lot of buzz by procuring 2 of the top 5 costliest buys in the auction in the form of Glenn Maxwell and Sheldon Cottrell. Alongside these two, they procured the services of Chris Jordan, Deepak Hooda, James Neesham, K Gowtham to name a few good purchases. 

But, have the Kings XI Punjab finally got the perfect squad to have a shot at their maiden trophy? Let’s analyze the squad, and look at the strengths and weakness(es) of Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) for IPL 2020. 

Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) Squad for IPL 2020: 

Batsmen	Karun Nair, KL Rahul (C&WK), Mandeep Singh, Mayank Agarwal, Nicholas Pooran (WK), PrabSimran Singh, and Sarfaraz Khan
All-rounders	Chris Gayle, Darshan Nalkande, Deepak Hooda, Glenn Maxwell, Harpreet Brar, James Neesham, K Gowtham, and Tajinder Singh
Bowlers	Arshdeep Singh, Chris Jordan, Hardus Viljoen, Ishan Porel, J Suchith, Mohammed Shami, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Murugan Ashwin, Ravi Bishnoi, Sheldon Cottrell

Strengths of KXIP for IPL 2020:

#1: Plenty of Match-winners

KL Rahul, Chris Gayle, Nicholas Pooran, or Glenn Maxwell, KXIP are a team full of potential match-winners that can help win the match single-handedly with their aggressive and atrocious batting.

While KL Rahul and Chris Gayle have done it on many occasions at the top in the past, their 2014 champ, Glenn Maxwell’s current form makes him a potential threat in the middle-order alongside the talented, Nicholas Pooran.

#2: KL Rahul, the All-rounder 

He opens, he plays in the middle-order, he plays as a finisher, and he keeps wickets. As if these were not enough, KL Rahul would be donning the captaincy duties too for Kings XI Punjab in IPL 2020. But, most important of all, his current form makes him the hottest commodity in IPL 2020.

KL Rahul has been IPL’s highest run-scorer in the last two years combined. He has also been milking runs for Team India with an unmatched consistency in the limited-overs format. If he continues his form in IPL 2020, he could finally help KXIP make it to the top 4 for the first time since 2014. 

#3: Spicy All-round Department

In IPL 2019, KXIP’s major weakness was was the lack of good all-rounders; especially batting all-rounders. They have rectified this perfectly by hiring 4 new faces in the form of Glenn Maxwell, Krishnappa Gowtham, James Neesham, and Deepak Hooda.

While Glenn Maxwell and Krishnappa Gowtham are certain to play, James Neesham and Deepak Hooda provide valuable backup options. Glenn Maxwell and Gowtham’s spin options would be valuable as they don’t have many spinners in their squad. 

Weakness(es) of KXIP for IPL 2020:

While the Kings XI Punjab have a good number of strengths, they have a couple of weaknesses as mentioned below. 

#1: Less Threatening Spin Attack

The release of Ravichandran Ashwin and Varun Chakravarthy have left Kings XI Punjab with only Murugan Ashwin as the experienced Indian spinner. Thay means, the spin sensation from Afghanistan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman would lead the spin duties for Kings XI Punjab.

However, given the strength of their overseas contingent, Mujeeb would find it difficult to find a place in the playing 11 in all the matches. Hence, Murugan Ashwin will have to bring his A+ game along with the India U19 sensation, Ravi Bishnoi. 

#2: Lack of Experienced Indian Pacers

There was a time when Kings XI Punjab boast quality experienced pacers in their rooster like Sandeep Sharma, Mohit Sharma, Varun Aaron, Ishant Sharma, etc. But, it has all come down to having only Mohammed Shami as the only experienced Indian pacer in their squad.

KXIP do have three overseas pacers in their rooster in the form of Sheldon Cottrell, Chris Jordan, and Hardus Viljoen, but their competition is too heavy to be ignored. Hence, the young Ishan Porel would play an important role in this side.

CONCLUSION:

KXIP’s batch of 2020 does look better than their 2019 batch with a good mix of experienced and fresh talent. Under the helm of KL Rahul, they can definitely finish in the top 4, to say the least. 

Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) strongest predicted playing 11 for IPL 2020:

KL Rahul (C&WK), Chris Gayle, Mayank Agarwal, Glenn Maxwell, Karun Nair, Mandeep Singh, Krishnappa Gowtham, Mohammed Shami, Ishan Porel, Sheldon Cottrell, and Mujeeb Ur Rahman. 

Thanks for reading! What is it that you like the most in Kings XI Punjab? Please, let’s know in the comments. 

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ALSO READ: IPL 2020 Special: Predicted Playing XI of Kings XI Punjab (KXIP)

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