IPL 2020: Strongest Probable Playing XI for Kings XI Punjab

#2 Middle-Order (Karun Nair, Nicholas Pooran, Mandeep Singh)

Nicolas Pooran - Vital cog in KXIP's middle order

Karun Nair would be the best fit to bat at No. 3 as he can bat up the order and would have a good understanding with his Karnataka team mates, Rahul and Mayank. He is an experienced player now, having captained Karnataka this season, and if used well can deliver the goods as was evident when he played for Rajasthan Royals.

Nicholas Pooran can provide the necessary firepower in the middle order and at the fag end of the innings. He can also be a backup wicket-keeper which will provide Rahul some breathing space considering he would be captaining in the IPL for the first time. He was one of the better performers for KXIP in last year's IPL with a strike rate of more than 150. He displayed his immense talent in the Ind-WI ODI and T20 series at the end of last year where he averaged 96.5 in the ODI series with a strike rate of 144.02 (in T20s his strike rate was 200).

Mandeep Singh can play the finisher's role with aplomb considering his experience both in the IPL and at the domestic level. With his growing maturity as captain of Punjab and great form this year, he should be the perfect option to close out the innings. He showed his consistency in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy last year, where he averaged almost 40 and had a strike rate above 145.

Deepak Hooda and Sarfaraz Khan will be the backup middle order batsmen in the KXIP squad with Sarfaraz's great form in the Ranji Trophy holding him in good stead. They can be considered depending on the form of Karun and Mandeep in the initial stages of the tournament.