What Went Wrong for the 4 teams that missed out on the IPL Playoffs

#2 Kings XI Punjab

The middle order just never fired for the Kings XI Punjab

In the preview to the IPL, we had predicted Kings XI and Delhi to be the bottom two teams. Kings XI and Delhi did finish at the bottom of the table, but at least Kings XI Punjab had a good phase in the tournament.

Kings XI were essentially a two man team - KL Rahul and Andrew Tye. There were some contributions from Chris Gayle and Mujeeb Ur Rehman but by and large, that is about all. The middle order for Punjab just never fired at all and there are only so many games that the opening pair of KL Rahul and Gayle could win for the team.

Kings XI also didn't use David Miller at all in the IPL, which raises even more questions about their decision to retain him in the first place.

Kings XI essentially finished up as a team of individuals and didn't play as a team. However, there are some positives to build on for next season. The decision to pass on Joe Root in the auction, who would have shaken things up in the middle order, is baffling.