IPL 2018: Four possible opening combinations for KXIP

#1 Karun Nair and Mayank Agarwal

Nair has been in scintillating form this domestic season for Karnataka

Now, this might come as a surprise for KXIP fans, seeing Karun Nair open the innings with Mayank Agarwal. Let me put things into perspective, the opening pair of Nair and Agarwal delivered imperious performances for Karnataka in the recently concluded Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy.

Agarwal has been in Bradmanesque form this season

While Nair accumulated 379 runs (third on the list of top run-getters in the tournament) in nine matches at a strike rate of 173.85, Agarwal stroked at 144.94, amassing 258 runs in the process.

If the duo can replicate their performances for KXIP at the top of the order and maximize the powerplay overs, it will serve as the launch pad for their middle-order in Rahul, Finch, Yuvraj, and Miller thus giving them the license to express themselves at the backend of the innings.