IPL 2018: 4 reasons why Kings XI Punjab may clinch their maiden IPL title this time

#4 Refreshing captaincy change

Ashwin's leadership skills will come under the spotlight this season

Captaincy is one of the most important aspects of cricket. Apart from deciding the playing XI and making field placement changes, a captain also has to inspire confidence in his players and make them rise to the occasion. Considering the fickle nature of the T20 format, where a game can turn on its head in a span of a few deliveries, the captain has a huge stake.

Captaincy has been one of the weak points in KXIP's IPL journey. The fact that they had to juggle various captains in their IPL journey so far describes the instability that had plagued them. However, this is set to change this year with Ravi Ashwin's appointment. While the carrom ball expert might not boast of prior captaincy experience, he comes across as a natural leader.

Ashwin is a smart thinker who reads the game excellently and having played extensively under MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli, one would expect that he might have picked their brains. He is a highly vocal person who has the reputation of thinking out of the box.

He also has the experience of mentor Sehwag and senior statesman Yuvraj Singh to back him up whenever necessary. Thus one would expect that all these factors might propel KXIP to a maiden IPL victory.