IPL 2019: Analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of each team

#3 Kings XI Punjab

KXIP have a strong top order

Squad: KL Rahul, Chris Gayle, Andrew Tye, Mayank Agarwal, Ankit Rajpoot, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Karun Nair, David Miller, Ravichandran Ashwin (c), Moises Henriques, Nicholas Pooran, Varun Chakaravarthy, Sam Curran, Mohammad Shami, Sarfaraz Khan, Hardus Viljoen, Arshdeep Singh, Darshan Nalkande, Prabhsimran Singh, Agnivesh Ayachi, Harpreet Brar, Mandeep Singh and Murugan Ashwin

Strengths

Here's another team that has not enjoyed much success but will enter the forthcoming season with a fairly balanced group of players. In KL Rahul and the in-form Chris Gayle, KXIP just couldn't ask for more. Their batting is a major plus, as Mayank Agarwal, Karun Nair and David Miller are all match-winners on their day.

With Shami slotted in, they have a fantastic fast bowling unit. Mujeeb ur Rahman is another trump card in the spin department. The all-round abilities of Moises Henriques and Ravichandran Ashwin add stability to the squad.

Weaknesses

Last season, they won just one out of their last eight games and therefore lost out on a playoff spot. One weakness that was visible was the batting order. KL Rahul and Gayle are irreplaceable, but who will bat at number 3?

Neither did Mayank, Karun Nair or Yuvraj Singh do justice to the same last season.

Verdict

KXIP are a fine side; it just comes down to how quickly they find their best playing XI. The team management must look at each player's strengths and play them accordingly, as per the pitch's demands.