KINGS XI PUNJAB - IPL 2011

Kings XI Punjab

They were a team ridden by controversies on and off field both in last season as well as in the year between. And now that having been cleared to play, they did a pretty fine job in acution and have put up a team that appears effective than last time around. Apart Chawla and Marsh and few uncapped players everone is new in setup.

Captain

Having roped in Adam Gilchrist they have made a positive start in announcing him as skipper and Gilly is proven one having won it for DC. However age is on the negative side and how well he performs now that he is not playing apart IPL is under question. If he fails as he did for DC last season in IPL 3, it may be crucial for KXIP than it was for Chargers since this side is not one as Chargers were.

Openers

In Gilchrist they have 3 in one. Destructive Opener, Captain and Keeper and on hi day he has no par in the world. Shaun Marsh is another proven performer at IPL having topped the charts in IPL 1 and is now is good form against the Poms. With Gilly he could form a pair to be feared. Incase they go in for a Domestic player Sunny Singh can do the job but only just.

Middle Orders

D.Hussey an effective T20 champion with Dinesh Karthik and Abhishek Nayar form a decent middle order. Again its not as it was last time around with Yuvi and two Lankans. D.Hussey is known champion of T20 format and is justified with the Price he went for. They could have gone for any other Middle order bat instead of DK though DK is one of very efficient finishers in IPL. And he is also a street smart cricketer. Only with Gilly there he might have been traded for some other Hitters but then its as good as you get. Kaarthik can add up as very good fielder and can be Gilly’s deputy too. In Nayar they have another exiting prospect and his big hitting abilities with some useful overs can be the key. Sunny Singh is a decent domestic performer. As a backup the y have Rommington too.

Allrounders

Nayar is one of the best in the country. His big hitting and ability to chip in useful overs can make him replace Irfan in the side. Incase they opt for a Overseas player Mascarenhas is another IPL giant. He can be deadly with both bat and ball on his day. Chawla is useful lower order hitter apart from being a good leggie. Broad himself can be slotted as Allrounder too.

Wicket Keepers

Who else when you have World’s Best Keeper ever? Incase Gilly chooses not to, DK can provide another of International and not just IPL quality.

Spinners

Chawla is best leggie in country and one of the rare ones plying the trade in Cricket now.  They have also got Chitnis bowling for them. David Hussey can very well slot in a few good overs.

Fast Bowlers

Praveen Kumar, First choice Indian pacer has and will be pretty good. In Ryan Harris they have another deadly Limited over specialist and if Broad joins the party subject to availability you get a wonderful pace attack. Indian backup is pretty good too. Love Ablish, Shalabh Srivatsava and Vikramjeet can all slot in their own into any IPL side. So just as openers, their Pace bowling does look good.

Overall Kings XI is yet again looking a decent side but not quite imposing as other sides. They can be dark horses to Alsorans depending on Gilly and Hussey.

Likely Starting XI

 Gilchrist – Marash – D.Hussey – Kaarthik – Nayar – Sunny Singh – Chawla – Praveen – Harris – Love Ablish – Vikramjeet