Abu Dhabi: Kings XI Punjab, led by Australian George Bailey, are clearly the dark horses in the seventh edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Apart from the 2008 season, when they made it through to the semi-finals, Punjab have never been able to make a significant impact. However, during the 2014 auction, they seem to have got their combinations right.
They retained both of their explosive left-handed batsmen in David Miller and the ever-improving youngster Manan Vohra.
Like their previous Australian captain, Adam Gilchrist, Bailey is a good tactician and has the experience of leading a gritty team like the Baggy Greens. He is a strong T20 batsman and, despite a dip in form for Australia recently, can make significant contributions in the middle-order. Bailey, who had a memorable One Day International series in India last year, will be keen to get some runs behind him.
Other big names include Virender Sehwag and, though the Delhi bomber has slipped into the international wilderness due to a lack of form, one cannot afford to write him off. The dashing opening batsman will be eyeing using the IPL to revive his flagging career.
He is likely to be joined at the top of the order by Cheteshwar Pujara, who has certainly made his mark in the longer version of the game, but how effective he can be in T20 we will have to wait and see. Going by his Test credentials, Punjab can be assured he will put a price on his wicket.
The presence of Glenn Maxwell and Miller adds tremendous depth to the Punjab batting as both can be destructive batsmen and can change the course of a game in a couple of overs.
Other overseas players who can come in at any position in the batting order are two potential match-winners in Thisara Perera and Shaun Marsh. However, with Maxwell and Miller being certainties, the duo will have to make the most of the rare chances that comes their way.
The bowling attack will be led by Mitchell Johnson, who was a part of the Mumbai Indians set-up last season. Johnson’s chin music will be complimented by Rishi Dhawan, who was the highest wicket-taker in the Ranji Trophy last season for Himachal Pradesh.
Lakshmipathy Balaji has been far from his best but he too will be keen to prove his worth. Beuran Hendricks is another South African pacer who can be given a run.
However, the lack of depth in the spin department might hurt Punjab, especially while playing here in the UAE, where wickets are expected to be slow, low and spin-friendly. Kings XI picked their side clearly expecting that the IPL would move to the fast pitches of South Africa.
The only experienced spinner in their squad is Murali Kartik and the team will be heavily relying on him to pick up wickets. Leg-spinner Akshar Patel also has a huge burden on his shoulders but he lacks experience.
