Kings XI Punjab, after defeating Northern Knights by 120 runs, are at the top of the Group B table, and they have also booked a spot in the semifinals of the Champions League Twenty20 2014 (CLT20 2104), with one game still to play.
In the match against Northern Knights, Kings XI Punjab showed their true caliber and handed one of the most one-sided defeats to the Knights. Kings XI Punjab are a very well balanced side and they have a whole big bunch of genuine match-winners. Their batting line-up is extremely power-packed, and they bat very deep, too.
In the seventh season of the Indian Premier League (IPL), Kings XI Punjab gave their best-ever performance and ended as the runners-up. In a very planned manner, Kings XI Punjab’s management with the help of coach Sanjay Bangar, created a squad that is now one of the best T20 squads in the world. Kings XI Punjab have the right mix of experience and youth, and this is their biggest strength.
Manan Vohra, who was retained for a very big amount, has responded well, and has been a very aggressive force at the top for Kings XI Punjab. Axar Patel, who’s been the real find for the Kings, has the ability to not let the batsmen score freely, and this puts a lot of pressure on the batting team. Axar is also a very useful lower-order batsman. Karanveer Singh is another youngster who’s been performing really well for Punjab. In the match against Northern Knights, he bowled brilliantly and took 4 wickets for just 15 runs in 3.2 overs.
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The likes of Virender Sehwag, Glenn Maxwell, David Miller, George Bailey and Thisara Perera, who are the more experienced members of the Kings XI’s squad, have also stepped up to the task and made valuable contributions to the side. After what he did in the IPL7, before the start of the tournament, all the limelight was on Glenn Maxwell. Many were saying that his form will decide the fate of Kings XI Punjab. But, Kings XI Punjab are playing as a unit, and they are not too dependent on one individual.
If Kings XI Punjab stick to their plans and keep playing the way they are playing, they might go on to win their first ever Champions League Twenty20 (CLT20 2014) trophy.
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