IPL 2020: The reasons why Kings XI Punjab can pull off a 'Miracle in UAE'

Kings XI Punjab have qualified for the playoffs on just a couple of occasions. They had lost the 2014 final to Kolkata Knight Riders.

<p>Kings Xi Punjab (KXIP) are one of the three teams to have never won the Indian Premier League (IPL) yet. While they finished as the runners-up in 2014, they have never been a promising team on the field, despite being promising on papers.</p>

Kings Xi Punjab (KXIP) are one of the three teams to have never won the Indian Premier League (IPL) yet. While they finished as the runners-up in 2014, they have never been a promising team on the field, despite being promising on papers.

<p>Nonetheless, it could all change this season, as it seems that the side surely has a balanced squad. Additionally, the leadership of KL Rahul would be interesting to watch, as the side does have the ability to pull off something miraculous this season, which could be termed as 'Miracle in UAE' in years to come. Here are the possible reasons for it:</p>

Nonetheless, it could all change this season, as it seems that the side surely has a balanced squad. Additionally, the leadership of KL Rahul would be interesting to watch, as the side does have the ability to pull off something miraculous this season, which could be termed as 'Miracle in UAE' in years to come. Here are the possible reasons for it:

<p><strong>A balanced squad: </strong>As said above, the side has a balanced squad this time around. Although the side lacks a huge amount of star-studded players, it bloats at least one or two crucial players in every department. Nonetheless, on a closer look and analysis, it seems that the side is batting-heavy, which is a piece of bad news for the bowlers of the other sides.</p>

A balanced squad: As said above, the side has a balanced squad this time around. Although the side lacks a huge amount of star-studded players, it bloats at least one or two crucial players in every department. Nonetheless, on a closer look and analysis, it seems that the side is batting-heavy, which is a piece of bad news for the bowlers of the other sides.

<p><strong>Rock-solid middle-order:</strong> As mentioned above that the side is batting-heavy, it is their middle-order that has a combustible unit. The likes of Karun Nair and Mandeep Singh, along with Glenn Maxwell, James Neesham and Nicholas Pooran, provide enough strength to the middle-order, besides bringing in stability.</p>

Rock-solid middle-order: As mentioned above that the side is batting-heavy, it is their middle-order that has a combustible unit. The likes of Karun Nair and Mandeep Singh, along with Glenn Maxwell, James Neesham and Nicholas Pooran, provide enough strength to the middle-order, besides bringing in stability.

<p>The only thing KXIP are lagging in the middle-order is some big names. While they have had big names in their squad before, failure to bring in success has shifted their focus to less popular names, along with young guns, like Sarfaraz Khan, Deepak Hooda and Tajinder Singh.</p>

The only thing KXIP are lagging in the middle-order is some big names. While they have had big names in their squad before, failure to bring in success has shifted their focus to less popular names, along with young guns, like Sarfaraz Khan, Deepak Hooda and Tajinder Singh.

<p><strong>Healthy bowling department:</strong> While their bowling department might not be as strong as their batting, it does possess a healthy mixture of both spin and pace. The pace department would be headlined by Mohammed Shami, who has tons of experience bowling in T20 cricket and is profoundly impactful. Besides, overseas pacers, in the form of Sheldon Cottrell, Chris Jordan and Hardus Viljoen, can turn the game around any time, courtesy of their experience in the respective national teams.</p>

Healthy bowling department: While their bowling department might not be as strong as their batting, it does possess a healthy mixture of both spin and pace. The pace department would be headlined by Mohammed Shami, who has tons of experience bowling in T20 cricket and is profoundly impactful. Besides, overseas pacers, in the form of Sheldon Cottrell, Chris Jordan and Hardus Viljoen, can turn the game around any time, courtesy of their experience in the respective national teams.

<p>As for the spinners, KXIP would heavily rely on the services of Mujeeb Ur Rahman, while Murugan Ashwin too would come in handy.</p>

As for the spinners, KXIP would heavily rely on the services of Mujeeb Ur Rahman, while Murugan Ashwin too would come in handy.

<p><strong>Budding young talents:&nbsp;</strong>As said previously, instead of big names, the side would look to exploit their young talent. Not just among batsmen, the bowling department too is filled with several young buddies. As for the talents to watch out overall, Sarfaraz, Hooda, Krishnappa Gowtham, Jagadeesha Suchith, Ravi Bishnoi and Ishan Porel are some names that would positively turn things around for the side.</p>

Budding young talents: As said previously, instead of big names, the side would look to exploit their young talent. Not just among batsmen, the bowling department too is filled with several young buddies. As for the talents to watch out overall, Sarfaraz, Hooda, Krishnappa Gowtham, Jagadeesha Suchith, Ravi Bishnoi and Ishan Porel are some names that would positively turn things around for the side.

<p><strong>Anil Kumble: The man in charge —</strong> If anything that can come as a piece of welcome news for KXIP fans is the team being under the managerial ship of Anil Kumble. He is known to be a great leader, as well as a manager.</p>

Anil Kumble: The man in charge — If anything that can come as a piece of welcome news for KXIP fans is the team being under the managerial ship of Anil Kumble. He is known to be a great leader, as well as a manager.

<p>Although things didn't work out between Kumble and Virat Kohli in the Indian team, same would not be the case here, as young skipper like KL Rahul would certainly crave to utilise the priceless advise and tips from the legend, which would be their turning point.</p>

Although things didn't work out between Kumble and Virat Kohli in the Indian team, same would not be the case here, as young skipper like KL Rahul would certainly crave to utilise the priceless advise and tips from the legend, which would be their turning point.