IPL 2020 review: Analysing Kings XI Punjab's season performance in every department

Kings XI Punjab's (KXIP) wait for their maiden title in the Indian Premier League (IPL) might have to tarry long, as they could manage to finish in the sixth spot of the table. Also, it was KL Rahul's maiden stint in the tournament as the captain.

The side had managed to qualify for the semi-finals in the opening season, in 2008. Besides, they had also finished as the runners-up, in 2014, losing to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the final.

While KXIP had gone off to a shaky start in the initial phase this season, they bounced back strong, winning five consecutive matches. However, a couple of loses in the final two games squandered their playoffs opportunity. In the same light, we analyse their performance for the season.

Batsmen
The batting department was headlined by Mayank Agarwal, who was their second-highest run-scorer, scoring 424 runs in 11 innings, at an average of 38.54, including a couple of half-centuries. Furthermore, Chris Gayle and Mandeep Singh, too, contributed their part. However, uncapped Sarfaraz Khan and Deepak Hooda did not impress, as effectively.
Top performers: Mayank, Gayle and Mandeep.

All-rounders
The all-round department was entirely a flop for the side. Glenn Maxwell, who was expected to fire with the bat in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), could manage only 108 from 11 innings, while he failed to hit even a single six. Jimmy Neesham, too, did not fire with the bat, while his bowling was unimpressive, claiming only a couple from five. Meanwhile, uncapped Tajinder Singh did not get a game.
Top performers: None.

Wicketkeepers
The department was undoubtedly headlined by skipper, Rahul, who was extremely impressive with the bat. He is the tournament's current highest run-scorer, scoring 670 from 14, at an impressive average of 55.83, including a ton and five half-centuries. His unbeaten 132 happens to be the highest score by a wicketkeeper in the season. He has also inflicted the fourth-most dismissals and catches, so far. Nicholas Pooran, too, did well with the bat, being their third-highest run-scorer. However, he did not don the big gloves. Meanwhile, uncapped Prabhsimran Singh did not earn a game.
Top performers: Rahul and Pooran.

Spinners
Their spin department was relatively inexperienced. However, it was uncapped Ravi Bishnoi who excelled in the department, scalping 12 wickets from 14, at the best economy of 7.37. Murugan Ashwin, too, impressed, being their third-highest wicket-taker. However, experienced Afghan Mujeeb Ur Rahman flopped in the two games, failing to get a single wicket. Among other uncapped, Krishnappa Gowtham and Harpreet Brar were not as effective, while Jagadeesha Suchith did not get game time.
Top performers: Bishnoi and Murugan.

Pacers
Among the pacers, it was experienced Indian Mohammed Shami, who was their highest wicket-taker, claiming 20 from 14, at an economy of 8.57, besides being the sixth-best in the season, so far. Meanwhie, it was uncapped Arshdeep Singh, who impressed with his pace, and claiming the fourth-most for the side, while England's Chris Jordan is in the fifth. As for the others, Windies' Sheldon Cottrell was heavily expensive, while South Africa's Hardus Viljoen, along with uncapped Darshan Nalkande and Ishan Porel, did not earn their game time.
Top performers: Shami, Arshdeep and Jordan.

Fielders
The fielding happened to be relatively good, as Pooran had the safest hands, claiming seven catches, while Mayank and Jordan claimed six and five, respectively. Meanwhile, Jordan had the best catch-rate per match, of 0.56. While Murugan and Maxwell did their part too, it was not as impressive.
Top performers: Pooran, Mayank and Jordan.

What could they have done better?
Batting: Gayle was impressive in the seven games that he played, scoring 288 at an average of 41.14, including three half-centuries. Maybe, giving him more game time would have bettered KXIP's chances for playoffs. Overall, barring their top-order, it was the middle-order that let them down.
All-rounders: Also, persisting with Maxwell throughout was not a fair idea, since he is primarily a batting all-rounder, a department where he thoroughly flopped. Instead, giving a chance to Tajinder might have been a great idea to test the young lad.

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