If there was one team that truly deserved the title last season, it was Kings XI Punjab — a team which hit form from the start and never looked back. Of the 14 league games, they won 11 — losing against only to two teams — Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders. It was the latter that finally pipped them in the final despite the Kings setting a formidable target.
The Punjabi fans — led by team owner and chief cheerleader Preity Zinta — create a daunting atmosphere in Mohali where they've lost only one of their last seven matches (including Champions League T20). The full IPL schedule is in India this time (unlike co-hosted between UAE and India last year) and will certainly help them — that, and the fact that they've hardly tinkered with their lineup for this year.
Sandeep Sharma took 18 wickets last year. BCCI
Major additions include Murali Vijay — who can be relied on to give solid starts along with the explosive Virender Sehwag at the other end. There could be only one change in their bowling attack from last year — expect Shardul Thakur to give stiff competition to Rishi Dhawan. Kings XI had three bowlers in the top 10 last season in Sandeep Sharma, Axar Patel and Mitchell Johnson — their trio of untouchables. The fact that they also had three batsmen in the top 10 just shows how strong they are in all areas.
Here's a quick analysis of the team as they look to replicate last year's success:
Strengths: Kings XI's biggest strength is their teamwork. Sanjay Bangar seems to have moulded a team which is balanced in all departments and their minor activity during the auction means that they've maintained the core group. We've seen last year that teams with momentum and a set XI go a long way — and Kings XI, just like champions KKR, are one of those sides. Three world champions in George Bailey, Mitchell Johnson and Glenn Maxwell will also help their cause.
Weaknesses: Apart from last season and the first (2008), Kings XI have been marred by inconsistency. In eight seasons, they've qualified for the playoffs only twice and their see-saw form has seen them suffer. In 2008, they lost their first game and went on a crazy run of nine wins in 10 games. In 2014, they won their first five in a row. Consistency seems to be they key for Kings XI — but achieving it is not easy. If they falter midway or fail to generate momentum, there's a strong chance they will underachieve. The other issue is spin — a loss of form or an injury to Axar Patel will leave that area exposed. Maxwell is not a full-time bowler and took just one wicket in seven bowling innings last year. Karanveer Singh bowled in five matches and took 11 wickets, but it was at an economy of 8.20. They've brought in 35-year-old Yogesh Golwalkar — and will be hoping he can do a Praveen Tambe for them.
X-factor: Maxwell. With 552 runs in 16 innings last season, Maxwell led the batting charts for Kings XI. His strike rate of 187.75 was the highest among the top ten batsmen of the 2014 tournament. If recent form is anything to go by, then Maxwell has just got better — and returns to the IPL with a higher fear factor than before.
Team: Axar Patel, Anureet Singh, Beuran Hendricks, David Miller, George Bailey, Glenn Maxwell, Gurkeerat Singh Mann, Karanveer Singh, Manan Vora, Mitchell Johnson, Parvinder Awana, Rishi Dhawan, Sandeep Sharma, Shardul Thakur, Shaun Marsh, Shivam Sharma, Thisara Perera, Virender Sehwag, Wriddhiman Saha, Murali Vijay, Nikhil Naik, Yogesh Golwalkar.
