Boasting an array of dazzling stroke makers and heady mix of experience and exuberance, Kings XI Punjab, having finished runners-up in the last edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), are raring to go one step better this time. Having faltered to deceive in earlier editions of the cash-rich cricket league, Kings XI emerged as the team to beat in the last edition, riding on the sustained explosive performances from Australian dasher Glenn Maxwell and South African David Miller.
Beside the presence of seasoned campaigners like aggressive bat Virender Sehwag and pacer Mitchell Johnson, the exciting Indian contingent of Wriddhiman Saha, Axar Patel and Manan Vohra made the Kings a force to reckon with. However, Maxwell, who played a key role in Australia’s world cup triumph, will continue to be the key.
Armed with a repertoire of unconventional shots, Maxwell is known for taking the attack to the opposition irrespective of the situation. In addition he can bowl right-arm off-spin, bat anywhere in the middle-order and like most Australians is a fantastic fielder.
Led by the assuring captain-coach duo of George Bailey and Sanjay Bangar, the Kings have enough firepower in both the batting and bowling departments that make them one of the contenders for the title.
Indian Players: Virender Sehwag, Wriddhiman Saha (wicket keeper), Axar Patel, Murali Vijay, Anureet Singh, Gurkeerat Singh Mann, Karanveer Singh, Manan Vohra, Parvinder Awana, Rishi Dhawan, Sandeep Sharma, Shardul Thakur, Shivam Sharma, Nikhil Naik, Yogesh Golwalkar
Foreign signings: George Bailey, Glenn Maxwell, Beuran Hendricks, David Miller, Mitchell Johnson, Shaun Marsh, Thisara Perera.