Team Punjab’s Winning Strategy For The IPL

Team Punjab has always been a late bloomer in the IPL in a manner of speaking. This team has struggled to put together a decent combination each year. Alongside, they have also struggled to get to the semi final stages, let alone winning the coveted crown. However, this season, this team bears a new look and is surely one of the strongest ones on paper. Kings XI Punjab has hit on a winning strategy for IPL 7, one that has been manifested at the auctions perfectly. The team had gone into the auctions with a good purse after having retained only the swashbuckling David Miller and uncapped Manan Vohra. They snapped up some very good players at the auctions.

The 2014 IPL auction did witness loads of drama and excitement and Kings XI Punjab owners were spot on with regard to picking up the pieces. They successfully bid for some of the best players in the Twenty20 format. If this team comes together and functions as a solid unit, it can give even biggies like Mumbai and Bangalore a run for their money. Here’s presenting the top picks made by the Kings XI Punjab outfit at the IPL auction.

All Rounders

All rounders are a necessity in the Twenty20 format. Not only do they allow for greater batting depth lower down the order, they also provide a full fledged bowler option for the skipper. When it comes to all rounders, Kings XI Punjab sprang a surprise by picking talented Rishi Dhawan for a staggering INR 3 crores. Alongside, it also snapped up the highly effective Thisara Perera for 1.60 crores along with other domestic talents like Akshar Rajesh Patel and Mandeep Hardev Singh for INR 75 lakhs and INR 80 lakhs respectively. Youngster Karanveer Singh was also picked up for INR 10 lakhs. However, the biggest purchase made in this segment was Glen Maxwell, the highly coveted Australian all rounder for a price tag of INR 6 crores. This was a fabulous buy for the Kings XI Punjab.

Bowling Attack

Kings XI Punjab have also built up a solid bowling attack. They picked up the highly in demand Mitchell Johnson for INR 6.50 crores. Johnson is in roaring form after the successful Ashes series and is one of the most feared fast bowlers in the world. He is also handy with the bat, something that will give the team a lot of depth down the year. To accompany Johnson, Punjab also bought a handy Lakshmipathy Balaji for INR 1.8 crores and South African bowler Beuran Hendricks for an equal amount. Sandeep Sharma and Murali Kartik were picked up for INR 85 lakhs and INR 1 crore respectively.

The bowling attack is further strengthened by the inclusion of Indian talents Parvinder Awana who was bought for INR 65 lakhs and Shardul Narendra Thakur who came for INR 20 lakhs. Anureet Singh was bought for an equal amount while youngster Shivam Sharma was bought for INR 10 lakhs.

Batting Line-Up

The highly coveted Virender Sehwag (INR 3.20 crores) and George Bailey (INR 3.25 crores) are complemented by Shaun Marsh (INR 2.20 crores), Wriddhiman Saha (INR 3.20 crores), Gurkirat Singh Mann (INR 1.30 crores) and Cheteshwar Pujara (INR 1.90 crores).

Punjab seems to have built a formidable team which looks well balanced ahead of the IPL. Are you a Punjab fan? Pick up all your desired team merchandise, jerseys, caps and other sporting gear online!