Another season, another fresh start for Kings XI Punjab

Cricket, like any other sport, needs tales of brilliance - either showcasing individual dominance or a team show of grit and class. Without them, it doesn't survive. If the game doesn't hold your fancy, fans are unlikely to flock, irrespective of all the gloss and glamour that surrounds it. Over the last nine seasons of the Indian Premier League, Kings XI Punjab have had to do with the challenge of dwindling attendances in their home stadium in Chandigarh, while the other centres are running packed houses.

After a long experiment of adopting Dharamsala as their second home, they have now moved their attention to Indore - a city that saw a packed house for a Test match and a sizeable crowd for the Ranji Trophy final. But the organisers in Indore are still a bit worried whether they will be able to replicate similar frenzy for IPL contests, a tournament that otherwise holds the attention of the entire nation for the two summer months.

While all the other sides that have been a constant since the inception of the tournament managed to find success in some aspect or the other, the Mohali-based franchise have been a rarity. Their performances have wavered from the sublime to mediocre, and they've been unable to create a face for their team, shuffled the squad and the coaching set-up several times, and even failed to fill up their stadiums.

They had Yuvraj Singh in the inaugural campaign, still fresh off his exploits in the maiden World T20. However, once he was left out, they didn't rope in too many star Indian cricketers. By the time Virender Sehwag joined their team, he had waned in power. But, it isn't just about their performances at an individual level, even as a team, they haven't been able to play the kind of cricket that would leave the other franchises too bothered.

They were the underdogs in the first season, and without too many big names had managed to reach the semifinals. But as the seasons progressed, their performances only kept dipping. They made up the numbers without threatening to run away with the coveted trophy. The 2014 season was a rare stand-out show - one which needed the likes of Glenn Maxwell and David Miller firing at their best, only for them to finish as the runner-up. When the two failed to fire consistently in unison in the two seasons that followed, the result was there on the grand board for all to see.

Coming into the 10th edition of the tournament, yet again, they don't promise much. On paper, they have several positions well filled, but there is imbalance in terms of experience. For the opener's slot, there is Martin Guptill and Hashim Amla, but given the riches in the middle order, it is quite likely that neither of them could feature as a regular member in the Playing XI. With Murali Vijay unlikely to participate due to a wrist and shoulder injury, Maxwell could well open for the franchise. The all-rounder's experiment at the top worked well with Australia as he stroked a blazing century. With the likes of Eoin Morgan and Miller in the middle-order and an in-form Gurkeerat Singh to follow, KXIP have a line-up that can cause a lot of damage if they hang in for long.

The pace department also boasts of some good domestic names with the likes of Mohit Sharma, Sandeep Sharma, Anureet Singh and T Natarajan in the ranks, and not to forget the three fine allrounders in Darren Sammy, Axar Patel and Marcus Stoinis. What goes against them is the skewed balance of too many international batsmen and none in the bowling department. They have invested in too many international players for similar roles and in none for an experienced bowling attack. On slower pitches, the lack of spin options is another cause of worry. However, the biggest question remains, 'How good a choice was Maxwell for captaincy?'

Having been led by the likes of Adam Gilchrist, David Hussey, George Bailey and David Miller in the past, Kings XI Punjab aren't alien to having foreign captains, especially Australians. However, the Australian all-rounder has little credibility as far as captaining teams in high-pressure competitions is concerned. Moreover, his form and unreliable batting doesn't inspire much confidence. He can come up with the occasional match-winning performances, but lack of form is a matter of great concern. Their experiment with Miller failed big time, before Vijay took over and helped the side bag some face-saving wins in the latter half of the tournament.

They do have the likes of Eoin Morgan and Darren Sammy - two captains who had led their respective sides to the World T20 final played in India last year. However, while the former is expected to join the national team in May, the latter is unlikely to find a regular place in the starting XI. With the selectors investing on the largely untested Maxwell as the captain of the side, it could backfire, and much like last season, they will be left with very little scope to make a comeback by the time they realise the mistake. On the other hand, if it additional burden makes him responsible as a player, it could prove to be a masterstroke, much like how it worked with David Warner for Sunrisers Hyderabad last season.

They may not have star players in their ranks, but they have some effective ones for the T20 game. A few wins can put their campaign track, and irrespective of the Chandigarh and Indore heat, fans wouldn't mind turning up if they replicate their 2014 show.

Kings XI Punjab had, so far, made losing a habit. It's time to turn good.

Strengths

They have one of the most destructive middle-orders and the hard-hitting all-rounders with the presence of Darren Sammy and Marcus Stoinis in the side. Going into the tournament, they are one of the weakest sides. With a shuffled coaching set-up, they can play with nothing to lose, something that could make them a dangerous side. Left-arm pacer T Natarajan could be the one to watch out for. Despite a heavy domestic and international season, most of Kings XI Punjab's players won't be as jaded as the rest.

Weakness

A vastly inexperienced bowling department with a lot of pacers as back-up options, but very few spinners, could prove to be decisive, especially in close matches. Vijay's absence will be a major loss as they will have to find a good enough domestic batsman to fill in, something that they don't have in abundance in their reserves, unlike in the pace department. Amla and Guptill make for good replacements, but that would mean keeping Morgan out of the side.

Opportunities

Not much is known of Maxwell's captaincy. If he shapes well in that role and becomes a more responsible player, Kings XI Punjab can become a much more formidable side - just like the one that reached the 2014 final. A few wins early on in the tournament could go a long way in setting the tempo right for them.

Threats

The side has grown comfortable with the idea of losing in the last couple of seasons. Unless, they shake that off, they will go through another season with below-par performances.

What the schedule holds

Kings XI Punjab are starting their campaign in Indore, which has been adopted as their second home for the season. However, they will be as unfamiliar with the conditions as their oppositions there. From thereon, they are mostly playing away games. Their first game in Mohali will be played on April 28, 22 days after the start of their campaign. They might be in a better position to catch up that the rest of the teams. However, that will help only if they are in strong contention of bagging a playoff position. If they are lagging far too behind like the previous two seasons, the advantage wouldn't make much of a difference.

They don't have too many long breaks, with the longest period of rest coming between April 30 and May 5. In the last 10 days from May 5-14, they will be playing five matches, including three away games (in Bengaluru, Mumbai and Pune). If the players are jaded, they could suffer big time towards the end of the competition.

Ideal starting XI: Manan Vohra, Glenn Maxwell, Wriddhiman Saha, Eoin Morgan, David Miller, Gurkeerat Singh, Marcus Stoinis/Darren Sammy, Axar Patel, Sandeep Sharma, Mohit Sharma, T Natarajan.