IPL 2019: Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) Team Analysis

KXIP have a really good squad this time around as they get a team rating 8.55 for IPL 2019. But, can they complete a successful campaign?

Kings XI Punjab had a major turnaround in their IPL 2018 campaign. After winning 5 of their first 6 matches, It felt as if they would finally have a successful IPL. However, they could muster only 1 win from their remaining 8 matches, thus ending the 2018 campaign on a disappointment. 

Coming to IPL 2019, we analyzed the Kings XI Punjab’s strengths and weaknesses for IPL 2019 in our previous article. Don’t forget to check that out. 

In this article, we will be focusing on rating the Kings XI Punjab IPL 2019 squad in different categories, viz., Openers, Middle-order, All-rounders, Spinners, Pacers and Key backups in each category.

Please Note:

• We feel a perfect team combination would consist of two openers, three middle-order batsmen, one batting all-rounder, one bowling all-rounder, two spinners, two pacers and good backups in each category.
• Each category would have a maximum rating of 10 with a rating of 8 for key players and 2 for backups.

Right then, let’s look at the Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) team rating for IPL 2019.

OPENERS:

Benchmark: David Warner (SRH)

Two Main Openers for KXIP: KL Rahul and Chris Gayle

Good Backup Openers: Mayank Agarwal

Decent Backup Openers: Mandeep Singh and PrabhSimran Singh

Kings XI Punjab have two dynamic and attacking openers in the form of KL Rahul and Chris Gayle. KL Rahul has been a fabulous opener since the last few seasons. He had a fabulous IPL 2018 too as he scored a total of 659 runs from 14 innings at an average of 54.91 and a strike rate of 158.41.

Considering his performances and potential, KL Rahul gets a rating of 3.75 out of 4.

Chris Gayle, on the other hand, isn’t the same force as he used to be earlier. He had a decent IPL 2018 in which he scored a total of 368 runs from 11 innings at an average of 40.88 and a strike rate of 146.03. However, since he announced his retirement from International Cricket, he has been breathing fire with the bat.

Hence, Chris Gayle gets a rating of 3.5 out of 4.

Coming to a good backup, Mayank Agarwal didn’t have a good IPL 2018, but has been in fantastic form in other domestic matches. Mandeep Singh and Prabsimran Singh provide for decent backup options.

KXIP get a rating of 1.75 out of 2 for the backup openers category.     

Overall, Kings XI Punjab Openers Rating: 9/10

MIDDLE-ORDER:

Benchmark: Virat Kohli (RCB) and AB de Villiers (RCB)

Three Solid Middle-order Players for KXIP: Mayank Agarwal, Karun Nair, and David Miller

Good Backups: Moises Henriques, Nicholas Pooran and Mandeep Singh

Decent Backups: Sarfaraz Khan

KXIP have a potential middle-order in the form of Mayank Agarwal, Karun Nair and David Miller with good backups. However, none of them had a good IPL 2018. 

Mayank Agarwal scored a total of 120 runs in 11 innings at a poor average of 12 and a strike rate of 127.65. A lot would be expected from him this year considering the form he has been in recent matches.

Overall, Mayank Agarwal gets a rating of 2.25 out of 3.

Karun Nair had a decent IPL 2018 as he scored a total of 301 runs from 12 innings at an average of 25.08 and a strike rate of 136.19.

For the potential and performances, Karun Nair gets a rating of 2.5 out of 3.

David Miller is an excellent middle-order option. Although he didn’t play much in IPL 2018, it is expected that he would get more game time this time around.

David Miller gets a rating of 1.75 out of 2.

Nicholas Pooran, Mandeep Singh and Moises Henriques provide for good backup options while Sarfaraz Khan provides for a decent backup option. KXIP get a rating of 2 out of 2 for middle-order backup options.

Overall, Kings XI Punjab Middle-order Rating: 8.5/10

ALL-ROUNDERS:

Benchmark: Andre Russel (KKR) as the batting all-rounder and Sunil Narine (KKR) as the bowling all-rounder 

Batting All-rounder for KXIP: Moises Henriques

Bowling All-rounder for KXIP: Sam Curran

Batting All-rounder Backup: Chris Gayle

Bowling All-rounder Backup: Agnivesh Ayachi, Harpreet Brar and Darshan Nalkande

Perhaps the only area which is a weakness for the Kings XI Punjab considering the options available with them. 

Their batting all-rounder, Moises Henriques might find it difficult to get a game considering the overseas players’ restrictions. However, he is definitely an asset, and has been in form lately.

Hence, Moises Henriques gets a rating of 3 out of 4.

On the other hand, their bowling all-rounder, Sam Curran would be playing his first IPL. With expectations being high from him, it would be interesting to see how Sam Curran copes up with it. He too gets a rating of 3 out of 4.

Coming to the backups, KXIP would have to rely on Chris Gayle for batting all-rounder position. However, they do have many bowling backup all-rounders in the form of Agnivesh Ayachi, Harpreet Brar and Darshan Nalkande.

Hence, KXIP get a rating of 1.75 out of 2 for all-rounder backups.   

Overall, Kings XI Punjab All-rounders Rating: 7.75/10

SPINNERS:

Benchmark: Rashid Khan (SRH)

Two Main Spinners for KXIP: Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Ravichandran Ashwin

Good Backup Spinners: Varun Chakravarthy

Decent Backup Spinners: Murugan Ashwin and Harpreet Brar

KXIP have the best spin bowling department in the IPL. They have two superb spinners in the form of Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Ravichandran Ashwin and superb backups too.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman has been in red hot form and has impressed everyone with his performance last year. In IPL 2018, he took a total of 14 wickets from 11 innings at an average of 20.64 and an economy rate of 6.99.

Hence, Mujeeb gets a rating of 3.75 out of 4.

Ravichandran Ashwin, on the other hand, had a decent IPL 2018 accounting for 10 wickets from 14 innings at an average of 41 and an economy rate of 8.09. The figures may not do justice to his talent, but he is a fantastic bowler. 

Ashwin gets a rating of 3.25 out of 4.

Coming to a good backup, all eyes would be on the Tamil Nadu sensation, Varun Chakravarthy. He impressed everyone with his performance in the Tamil Nadu Premier League. KXIP also have Murugan Ashwin as a decent backup option.

Hence, KXIP get a rating of 2 out of 2 for spin bowling backups.

Overall, Kings XI Punjab Spinners Rating: 9/10

PACERS:

Benchmark: Jasprit Bumrah (MI)

Two Main Pacers for KXIP: Andrew Tye and Mohammed Shami   

Good Backup Pacers: Sam Curran, Ankit Rajpoot and Hardus Viljoen

Decent Backup Pacers: Arshdeep Singh

KXIP have Andrew Tye and Mohammad Shami as their leading pace bowlers for IPL 2019.

Andrew Tye had a fantastic IPL 2018 as he emerged as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker. Overall, he took a total of 24 wickets from 14 innings at an average of 18.66 and an economy rate of 8. However, he has not been doing that well recently in the International arena.

For his performances in IPL, Andrew Tye gets a rating of 3.5 out of 4.

Mohammed Shami, on the other hand, has been in fantastic form in national colors. However, he didn’t have a good IPL last time as he played only 4 matches taking 3 wickets at an economy rate of 10.4.

Hence, Shami gets a rating of 3 out of 4.

Coming to backups, Sam Curran, Hardus Viljoen and Ankit Rajpoot are fantastic pace bowling options KXIP have. While Arshdeep Singh provides for a decent backup option.

Hence, KXIP get a rating of 2 out 2 for pace bowling backups.  

Overall Kings XI Punjab Pacers Rating: 8.5/10

CONCLUSION:

Kings XI Punjab have a really good squad. Their strengths are their openers and spinner. Considering the potential they have, they would be eager to get their hands on the trophy this time around. However, the form of some of their key players would be very important throughout the tournament.

Assuming all players are available, an ideal Playing XI for Kings XI Punjab would be:

KL Rahul, Chris Gayle, Mayank Agarwal, Karun Nair, Mandeep Singh, Moises Henriques, Ravichandran Ashwin, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Varun Chakravarthy, Mohammed Shami, and Andrew Tye.       

Overall, Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) get a team rating of 8.55/10 for IPL 2019.

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