Who makes it to our Kings XI Punjab all-time XI?
The franchise's squad changes mirror their fluctuating fortunes, which means some legends miss out
Gaurav Sundararaman and Saurabh Somani
02-May-2020
In this series, we are compiling all-time XIs for each IPL team. The rules are simple: the player has to have played at least 20 matches for the franchise (across the IPL and the Champions League T20); any player is eligible for selection in multiple franchises, if he so merits; and you can pick only four overseas players.
Kings XI Punjab
Kings XI Punjab have shown promise in many seasons but have not been able to deliver during the crunch moments. In some seasons, they were in a good position to make the play-offs but failed to do so. It was not easy to pick an all-time XI for a franchise that has constantly chopped and changed its sides, with five different coaches in the last five seasons and inconsistency in team selection over the years.
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The picks
There were not too many overseas performers who have stood out for Kings XI over the 12 seasons. Shaun Marsh, David Miller and Glenn Maxwell made the cut for various impactful performances they had whenever the team won and are the top three run-getters for Kings XI. KL Rahul was another no-brainer, with his scintillating performances in the last two seasons. Wridhhiman Saha's 2014 season was good enough for him to make the the side. Among the bowlers, the spin duo of Axar Patel and Piyush Chawla also walked in due to their consistent performances.
There were not too many overseas performers who have stood out for Kings XI over the 12 seasons. Shaun Marsh, David Miller and Glenn Maxwell made the cut for various impactful performances they had whenever the team won and are the top three run-getters for Kings XI. KL Rahul was another no-brainer, with his scintillating performances in the last two seasons. Wridhhiman Saha's 2014 season was good enough for him to make the the side. Among the bowlers, the spin duo of Axar Patel and Piyush Chawla also walked in due to their consistent performances.
The debate
While three overseas spots were sealed, the fourth spot had a few contenders. Adam Gilchrist, Ryan Harris, Andrew Tye and Mitchell Johnson all had various memorable moments. However, none of these bowlers really had the impact that Gilchrist had for Kings XI at the top. He is also a natural captaincy candidate, even though his inclusion means Saha might have to patrol the outfield. With many Indian bowlers putting up good performances, we felt the fourth overseas spot could go to a batsman rather than a bowler. The bowlers threw up some interesting discussions. Domestic bowlers dominated the pacers. Irfan Pathan, Sandeep Sharma, Parvinder Awana, Praveen Kumar and Mohit Sharma were vying for three slots. Irfan had 47 wickets at 7.79 and an impressive strike rate of 19.1. The fact that he can bat gave him an edge over the others. Praveen Kumar, although not high up among the wickets, got a boost due to his ability to strike early and bowl tight (his economy rate for Kings XI is 6.96) and was chosen ahead of Mohit Sharma. The last bowling spot went to Sandeep Sharma, an outstanding powerplay and death bowler, and the leading wicket-taker among pacers for Kings XI with 71 wickets. He has dismissed Virat Kohli six times, Chris Gayle four times and David Warner thrice. Sandeep walks in purely for setting up games for Kings XI with the ball.
While three overseas spots were sealed, the fourth spot had a few contenders. Adam Gilchrist, Ryan Harris, Andrew Tye and Mitchell Johnson all had various memorable moments. However, none of these bowlers really had the impact that Gilchrist had for Kings XI at the top. He is also a natural captaincy candidate, even though his inclusion means Saha might have to patrol the outfield. With many Indian bowlers putting up good performances, we felt the fourth overseas spot could go to a batsman rather than a bowler. The bowlers threw up some interesting discussions. Domestic bowlers dominated the pacers. Irfan Pathan, Sandeep Sharma, Parvinder Awana, Praveen Kumar and Mohit Sharma were vying for three slots. Irfan had 47 wickets at 7.79 and an impressive strike rate of 19.1. The fact that he can bat gave him an edge over the others. Praveen Kumar, although not high up among the wickets, got a boost due to his ability to strike early and bowl tight (his economy rate for Kings XI is 6.96) and was chosen ahead of Mohit Sharma. The last bowling spot went to Sandeep Sharma, an outstanding powerplay and death bowler, and the leading wicket-taker among pacers for Kings XI with 71 wickets. He has dismissed Virat Kohli six times, Chris Gayle four times and David Warner thrice. Sandeep walks in purely for setting up games for Kings XI with the ball.
Virender Sehwag and Yuvraj Singh were others options discussed but with the top order dominated by overseas players, and the duo's performances for the team being patchy, there was no place for these two legends. This gives the team six batsmen with two bowling allrounders. There are five frontline bowlers plus some part time offspin by Maxwell.
Playing XI stats for KXIP
2. Adam Gilchrist (capt and wk)
34 matches (2011-2013)
Runs 849, Ave 27.38, SR 127.28
26 ct, 3 stumpings
34 matches (2011-2013)
Runs 849, Ave 27.38, SR 127.28
26 ct, 3 stumpings
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Gaurav Sundararaman is a senior stats analyst at ESPNcricinfo