IPL 2021: Punjab Kings – Best Playing XI

Punjab Kings (KXIP ) failed to make it to the play offs in the 2020 edition of IPL as they lost the must win final league match against Chennai Super Kings. The franchise failed to cross the line on quite a few occasions which could have put them in Top 2 spots.

Punjab Kings struggled with lower middle order which wasn’t strong. Glenn Maxwell’s form at No.5 didn’t help as it put more pressure on the Top 4 to deliver. Coach Kumble felt the pace attack needed a revamp so as to give them the oomph factor and hence picked the likes of Riley Meredith and Jhye Richardson in the auction.

The top order of Punjab Kings is quite stacked with the likes of captain KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Chris Gayle and Nicholas Pooran. The explosive top order is then met with the experience of Moises Henriques. Deepak Hooda and Sarfaraz Khan can provide the slog finish aided by the likes of Jhye Richardson who contributed with some cameos in the last edition of BBL.

The team can also look in to finisher options like Fabian Allen who can provide them additional spin apart from Ravi Bishnoi and Deepak Hooda.

Here is the best XI of Punjab Kings according to us:

KL Rahul (c), Mayank Agarwal, Chris Gayle, Nicholas Pooran, Moises Henriques, Sarfaraz Khan, Deepak Hooda, Jhye Richardson, Mohammed Shami, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh

*Overseas Players in Bold*

Punjab Kings can also try pack up their XI with 2 over seas pacers out of Chris Jordan, Jhye Richardson and Riley Meredith to out the opposition on back foot. The minus point is the 5th bowling option to be shared between Deepak Hooda and Chris Gayle.

Alternate Best XI:

KL Rahul (c), Mayank Agarwal, Chris Gayle, Nicholas Pooran, Mandeep Singh, Sarfaraz Khan, Deepak Hooda, Jhye Richardson, Mohammed Shami, Ravi Bishnoi, Riley Meredith

What is your best playing XI for Punjab Kings? Leave them in the comments!