It has been a challenging season so far for Kings XI Punjab. Last year we were at the bottom of the table and even this year, we are at the wrong end of the chart.
The form of our overseas players has been an issue throughout the tournament. Glenn Maxwell fired in a few games and scored a couple of fifties while Shaun Marsh hit one half-century before injuring himself and going back home.
Among the fast bowlers, Mitchell Johnson and Kyle Abbott too didn’t live up to their standards. You expect a lot from the foreign recruits but sometimes it clicks, sometimes it doesn’t.
But when it comes to Indian players, I think Punjab have been good. Seam bowlers Sandeep Sharma and Mohit Sharma have performed very well. They have been highly consistent, be it with the new ball, in the middle overs or at the death. They have used variations brilliantly and have been on top of their game.
Great batting by Captain Vijay and keeper Wriddhi tonight! Keep supporting, Sheron!#MIvKXIP #LivePunjabiPlayPunjabi pic.twitter.com/WAfgiSmrcM
— Kings XI Punjab (@lionsdenkxip) May 13, 2016
Both seamers have an economy of less than eight runs an over, and a team can’t ask for a lot more than that.
Axar Patel has been another bright spot for the team. His left-arm spin has not been very easy to hit away and I have been thoroughly impressed by his accuracy.
He sits perfectly in the team’s plans at the moment. He invariably bowls his full quota of overs and during all three stages of an innings – at the top, middle and death. He has taken up the responsibility with the ball brilliantly and if he can be a little more forceful with the bat, he will be doubly dangerous.
The one positive that I see is us winning four matches. In the last five games, we won three times and lost two by very close margins. So that means we are beginning to find the right mix.
INTERVIEW: Watch Kings XI Punjab's Axar Patel speak about his first hat-trick in IPL - Indian Premier League, his... https://t.co/CvMUtPlXiw
— IndianFilmTv (@indianfilmtv) May 3, 2016
I believe the change of captaincy has had a positive impact. Ever since Murali Vijay took over from David Miller, things have changed a bit. Quite a few players didn’t perform in the first six or seven games and we knew a good show was round the corner. So the players were bound to come good at some point. We just decided to change captains to reduce the pressure on Miller.
It is great news for the team that Vijay has good results under his belt and the team is beginning to compete. What also good is that the captain is contributing with the bat as well, which sends out a positive message to the squad.
He has kept his cool so far. Vijay knows what changes need to be made in the bowling at what time, who should be sent in the batting order and that has resulted in some good outcomes.
Many feel having an Indian captain is the best scenario and to an extent, it does make things easier for a team. If you have a local skipper, you can rotate you players the way you want and make the most of the foreign talent. But that doesn’t meant foreign captaincy won’t work.
Got to say Punjab look a lot more dynamic under the leadership of Murali Vijay #IPL2016
— Ajit Vijaykumar (@ajvk1984) May 13, 2016
If you look at David Warner, he has been amazing with the bat and you know he is going to play all that matches. So that also works. But I do admit that having an Indian captain has its advantages.
In the remaining matches, I hope the likes of Maxwell, Hashim Amla along with the Indian players play as a unit and clinch a few wins and move the team up the table.
There have been quite a few negative reports regarding Kings XI lately. Rumours of unrest in the team are just that – rumours. This is just media speculation. Be it our owner Preity Zinta, our coach Sanjay Bangar or even the players, everyone has come out and said nothing untoward has happened and that the team is united.
When negative things are said about the side, it’s my job to ensure that the players don’t lose their focus and concentrate on the job. We have told the players not to give any importance to such speculation and focus on the opposition.
