The Kings XI Punjab have been the worst side in the Indian Premier League in the last two seasons. In their last 28 matches they have just seven wins which is a terrible record and one which surely can only be improved on this season. They have changed captain in a bid to find a difference but you would think they need a fast start for morale as much as anything else.
Stats
Last Season: 8th
Captain: Glenn Maxwell
Key Players: Shaun Marsh & Axar Patel
Best Odds: 14/1
Predicted Finishing Position: Group Stage
Fixtures
Saturday April 8 – Rising Pune Supergiant (h)
Monday April 10 – Royal Challengers Bangalore (h)
Thursday April 13 – Kolkata Knight Riders (a)
Saturday April 15 – Delhi Daredevils (a)
Monday April 17 – Sunrisers Hyderabad (a)
Thursday April 20 – Mumbai Indians (h)
Sunday April 23 – Gujarat Lions (a)
Friday April 28 – Sunrisers Hyderabad (h)
Sunday April 30 – Delhi Daredevils (h)
Friday May 5 – Royal Challengers Bangalore (a)
Sunday May 7 – Gujarat Lions (h)
Tuesday May 9 – Kolkata Knight Riders (h)
Thursday May 11 – Mumbai Indians (a)
Sunday May 14 – Rising Pune Supergiant (a)
Auction
Most expensive signing: Thangarasu Natarajan
Other notable signings: Eoin Morgan, Martin Guptill, Darren Sammy
Strengths
The strength of the Kings XI Punjab in recent seasons has been their middle order but in many ways that has been their weakness too. The Miller-Maxwell-Marsh axis has been the supply of plenty of runs while they have been together but because that is three overseas players there hasn’t been much room for move with the rest of the side and the team have suffered as a result.
Weaknesses
Having three gun overseas batsmen have left them a little light with the ball so the signings of Darren Sammy and Matt Henry are appealing ones if they can find a way to get one or both of them into the side. An overseas captain restricts their options somewhat though and that is a weakness which might leave the Punjab exposed at times.
Betting
In years gone by we’ve seen the Kings XI get through a lot of players as they search for the right combinations and given the huge options they have with overseas batsmen I can see that happening again here especially if they need to ditch one to get an overseas bowler into the side at some point.
Apart from Maxwell who is captaining the side the one constant in the batting line up looks set to be the opener Manan Vohra and at 11/2 he could be decent value to top score for the Kings XI this season. If the captaincy doesn’t affect Maxwell’s form he would be a danger but he’s never captained before so you’ve got to think that will be an issue. It remains to be seen how the rest of the side will be filled so the likelihood of Vohra getting all 14 games makes him appeal.
Tips
Back M.Vohra Top Kings XI Punjab Season Batsman for a 2/10 stake at 6.50 with 888sport
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