Preview: Kings XI Punjab

PREVIEW: Kings XI Punjab

Comparing the glamour factor, Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) is one of the best teams in the IPL with the bubbly Preity Zinta as its co-owner along with Ness Wadia. With Yuvraj, Sangakara and Jayawardene in the batting line up and bowlers like Brett Lee, Irfan Pathan and Sreesanth, aggression is the other name of the team. Team had to be disappointed in the 1^st season as it failed to move beyond the semifinal level.

In 2009, when the IPL moved to South Africa, the power packed side faltered before the semifinal stage. The failure can be attributed to the absence of the pace spearhead Brett Lee. Yuvraj Singh was also not consistent though he got 2 hat-tricks in the IPL 2. The only find for the team was Yusuf Abdullah, whom the team bought again this year.

Luke Pomersbach and Nuwan Kulasekara were bought ahead of the 2010 auction while they picked former India batsman Mohammed Kaif who is expected to recreate the magic with Yuvraj Singh in the Punjab side under new captain Kumar Sangakkara.

KEY PLAYERS:

Yuvraj Singh: When he is on song, there is no sight as majestic in the cricketing world. He will be keen to perform and score good amount of runs as it will be the 1^st tournament after his recovery from injury. The man with records like fastest 50 in T20 interntionals, 6 sixes in an over in ODIs, will be the most dangerous man for the opponents.

Kumara Sangakara: Probably, he is one of the best in his field when it comes to technique. He will try to prove his mettle after being appointed as the captain of the side. Adding to his unparallel batting techniques, he is a great player to have in the side for his work behind the stumps.

Mahela Jayawardene: The middle order batsman of the Sri Lankan side will be the anchor of the KXIP middle order. His skills to play elegant shots make it tough for the opponent bowlers to get him out. His precision in shot selection and placement is beyond comparison.

Irfan Pathan: As IPL returns to India, Irfan will be more lethal than the last edition. Irfan has got impressive records in the Indian conditions. His swing can put even the best batsmen in trouble. His pinch hitting abilities makes him the perfect bowling allrounder for the team.

Yusuf Abdulla: 27 year old medium pacer from South Africa impressed all with his bowling in the IPL 2. The team bought him back this year when his 1 year contract ended. His strength is to vary the pace and the angle of deliveries. Opponent batsmen must be aware!

SQUAD:  AB Barath, K Goel, DPMD Jayawardene, M Kaif, RS Bopara, S Marsh, Y Singh, TM Srivastava, K Sangakara, MS Bisla, I Pathan, J Hopes, RS Sodhi, Bipul Sharma, B Lee, PP Chawla, RR Powar, L Ablish, SJ Srivastava, S Sreesanth, VS Malik, Y Abdulla, Amanpreet Singh