Prior to the 2014 Indian Premier League (IPL), Kings XI Punjab were never highly rated as a T20 squad. And the critics had their reasons. Till the start of the 2014 IPL season, Punjab had never made the final of the event even once. In fact, their best performance till then was a semi-final spot, and that too back in the inaugural season in 2008. However, a revamp of the side by Preity Zinta and co following this year’s auction has changed the Kings’ fortunes for the good. Suddenly, they have become a highly formidable outfit.
The Kings made it to the final of the IPL this year, and looked set to clinch their maiden title, but Kolkata Knight Riders had enough spark to outdo the Kings in the final. In spite of the loss, Kings XI Punjab were highly impressive throughout the event. Now, they have also reached the semi-finals of the ongoing Champions League T20. Like in the IPL, their performance in the CLT20 has also been highly impressive till now. So, what is it that has changed for Punjab so drastically this T20 season? A lot actually, which has been instrumental in their resurrection.
Punjab’s team has been aided by a change in personnel; they now have players who can perform all kinds of tasks. First and foremost, they have a formidable opening pair in Virender Sehwag and Manan Vohra. Of course, Sehwag is now past his prime, but he is still good enough to come up with vintage knocks, like he demonstrated in the IPL semi-final earlier this year as well as the game against Northern Districts in the CLT20 a couple of days back. As for Vohra, he has crossed 25 in 10 of his last 11 knocks, which says a lot.
There are other players in the players in the batting department who are also dangerous for the opponents. The first name that comes to mind is obviously Glenn Maxwell. Even since Maxwell has joined the Kings squad, the franchise has been a totally different team. He has single-handedly pulled off wins for the side in recent games, some of them from impossible positions. David Miller is a player in the similar vein. The South African can smash the ball out of the grounds with ease, and has done the same for Punjab consistently. Skipper George Bailey and Wriddhiman Saha have also contributed to the team’s cause.
With the ball as well, Punjab have found some excellent bowlers. With the new ball, Parvinder Awana has struck come crucial blows for them, but the spinners are the one who have really impressed for the side. Akshar Patel has rarely had a bad game, and is economical on most occasions while also picking up wickets. Something similar can be said of Karanveer Singh too. Above all, however, has been the presence of all-rounder Thisara Perera. With both bat and ball, he has delivered consistently, and has single-handedly won many games for Punjab.
--By A Cricket Analyst
