IPL 2020: 3 ways KXIP could line up next season

For a team that has historically not been a contender for the title, the Kings XI Punjab have become a much more concrete threat in recent years - especially since 2014, when the franchise made it to their first IPL final.

Going into December's auction, KXIP had the biggest budget of any team in the league and were expected to make waves in the market. They certainly did so, with a couple of big buys and other savvy moves, following some good trades in the off-season as well.

So as things stand, let us have a look at the three different ways the Mohali-based team could line up in the summer.

1. The First Choice XI

Chris Gayle, KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Karun Nair, Glenn Maxwell, Nicholas Pooran, Deepak Hooda, Krishnappa Gowtham, Mohammed Shami, Sheldon Cottrell, Ishan Porel.

The first team to look at is the one that contains most of Kings XI's key players and is more or less the settled team they will look to use in most games.

Glenn Maxwell will be one of KXIP's most important players in 2020.

One of the openers here is Chris Gayle, who despite his advanced age and potential lack of match fitness is still a dangerous prospect for any opposing bowler. If he can rediscover his mojo, this team could go places.

Also see - Ranji Trophy schedule

Partnering him is newly appointed captain KL Rahul, who is in a rich vein of form for India at the moment and will look to carry that into the IPL.

The ever-dependable Karnataka pair of Mayank Agarwal and Karun Nair follow them, with the exciting firepower of overseas recruits Glenn Maxwell and Nicholas Pooran lending a punch to the batting order.

Deepak Hooda and Krishnappa Gowtham are both solid all-rounders and are capable of some lusty blows, as well as four good overs with the ball in hand.

Rounding off the team are Punjab's three pace bowlers - West Indian Sheldon Cottrell who was bought for Rs 8 crore in the auction, Mohammed Shami whose excellent form in an India jersey seems set to continue and youngster Ishan Porel, who was released by KKR last season.

2. Killing them slowly

Chris Gayle, KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Karun Nair, Glenn Maxwell, Nicholas Pooran, Deepak Hooda, Krishnappa Gowtham, Ravi Bishnoi, Murugan Ashwin, Mujeeb Ur Rahman

Like a couple of other teams in this year's IPL (most notably CSK), Kings XI have a squad which enables them to play a bowling attack consisting entirely of spinners.

India U-19 international Ravi Bishnoi will be looking to impress in the upcoming IPL.

As a result, the main difference between this team and their first choice one is in the bowling department. In fact, the top 8 all remain the same, with Gayle and Rahul opening and Agarwal and Karun backing them up before looking to unleash Maxwell, Pooran, Hooda and Gowtham.

Only three players are replaced, but they make a significant difference to the make-up of the XI. Cottrell, Shami and Porel all drop out, to be replaced by Ravi Bishnoi, Murugan Ashwin and Mujeeb Ur Rehman.

This attack would give Rahul several choices, with two leggies (Bishnoi and Ashwin), two off-spinners (Hooda and Gowtham) and a mystery spinner in Afghan youngster Mujeeb. There is also the added option of using the off-spin of Maxwell to get through a few overs.

This sort of line-up could be useful at spin-friendly grounds such as Chepauk, where Punjab have struggled historically.

3. Bits 'n' pieces

KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Karun Nair, Glenn Maxwell, Nicholas Pooran, Sarfaraz Khan, James Neesham, Deepak Hooda, Chris Jordan, Krishnappa Gowtham, Jagadeesha Suchith

This XI is quite an interesting one but despite the intrigue it holds, we shouldn't expect to see it at all during the course of the tournament. We can consider it more of a thought experiment, or an exercise in team-building.

Kiwi all-rounder Jimmy Neesham will shoulder a large amount of responsibility in this XI

The very foundation of this playing XI is the all-rounders - players who can do a bit of both bowling and batting, and cannot be classed purely as one or the other. The make-up here is quite different to the previous two teams, starting with one of the opening slots.

Chris Gayle drops out and Mayank Agarwal opens the innings with KL Rahul, with Karun Nair, Glenn Maxwell and Nicholas Pooran following them. So far, not much difference.

However, coming in at 7 we have Sarfaraz Khan, followed by Jimmy Neesham, Deepak Hooda, Chris Jordan, Krishnappa Gowtham and Jagadeesha Suchith.

The real advantage of this line-up is the fact that all 11 players in it are more than handy with the bat in hand - to the extent that Suchith, normally a number 8 or 9 batsman, is pushed down to number 11 here.

The bowling also has variety, with two quicks in Neesham and Jordan, two off-spinners in Hooda and Gowtham, a left-arm spinner in Suchith and the usual part-time option of Maxwell.