Kings XI Punjab Team review: KL Rahul gets the best combination for KXIP ever [IPL 2020]
As Indian Premier League (IPL) auction 2020 commenced in Kolkata, all the teams have got bunch of surprises. Be it Delhi Daredevils, Kings XI Punjab, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Kolkata Knight Riders, or any other other team, the IPL 2020 is surely going to be exciting with little shuffle in the deck of cards. https://www.instagram.com/p/B6Q5HDgqXs_/ Well, let's talk about Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) that has invested a huge amount of 10.75 crore on Glenn Maxwell. The Australian all-rounder was on a break, but returned in Big Bash league 2019, where on Friday, Maxwell hammered 83 runs off 39 balls against Brisbane Heat. https://www.instagram.com/p/B6Si_Pup8ig/ Also, KXIP have bought Sheldon Cottrell for 8.50 crore, who has recently bothered Indian cricket team in an on-going ODI series in India. Among the overseas players, it has also included James Neesham and Chris Jordan for 50 lakh and 3 crores, respectively. https://www.instagram.com/p/B6QY6NJpW0F/ Meanwhile, Anil Kumble announced at the post auction press conference that KL Rahul will lead the Punjabi side and it seems to be the best decision for the team. Glenn Maxwell has also led the lions den but failed. Therefore, the selectors decided to appoint an Indian player as a skipper so that the overseas player can be shuffled. Only four overseas players can play and this year, there are a lot of good overseas options. https://www.instagram.com/p/B6Ql1KaJLR6/ Nicholas Pooran, Chris Gayle, James Neesham, Glenn Maxwell, Chris Jordan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Sheldon Cottrell and Hardus Vijoen are the overseas options with KXIP. Therefore, the team can experiment with these options available. Among the Indian batters, KL Rahul himself is looking in a good touch in the ongoing series against West Indies. Likewise, Sarfaraz Khan, Mandeep Singh and Mayank Agarwal, have played a lot of good innings for Punjab. In bowling, Mohammed Shami will be joined by Sheldon Cottrell that makes it a lethal fast bowling attack. Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Murugan Ashwin, Maxwell and K Gowtham (who was traded from Rajasthan Royals) makes a good spin attack. All-rounders like Gowtham, Deepak Hooda and Maxwell give a good balance to the side. https://www.instagram.com/p/B6SMQGYKoo4/ Overall, the side looks much stronger than the past seasons of the Indian Premier League. Meanwhile, the players who have been picked by the franchise are in form; be it domestic or international cricket. The past five seasons haven't gone in favour of KXIP. In 2014, the lions were on the first position, but lost against Kolkata Knight Riders by 3 wickets. https://www.instagram.com/p/B6Se0gkJuwJ/ 2014 was the last season when Maxwell's spark was seen and the team was inch closer to the trophy. However, after that the graph has just fallen. Have a look at the position of KXIP after 2014:
| IPL Season | KXIP's Position in league matches |
| 2014 | 1st |
| 2015 | 8th (Last) |
| 2016 | 8th (Last) |
| 2017 | 5th |
| 2018 | 7th |
| 2019 | 6th |