The Kings XI Punjab management, back in March, made an announcement and appointed Glenn Maxwell as their captain for the then impending tenth edition of the IPL. While M.Vijay’s ouster as the Captain wasn’t exactly as controversial or shocking as MSD’s (RPS), the appointment of Glenn Maxwell ahead of the likes of Hashim Amla and Eoin Morgan did raise a few eyebrows. However, Maxwell led Punjab belligerently in the early stages of the tournament and led them to two victories out of two games, only to lose their  later, losing three off the next three games, against KKR, DD and SRH respectively.

Manan Vohra played an almost miraculous knock, batting like a man possessed, even as the rest of the Batting lineup crumbled around him, scoring 95 off 50 and gave SRH a scare. So unbelievable was Vohra’s knock that when he got out in the penultimate over, David Warner and Yuvraj Singh made it a point to pat on his back and shake hands with him for his phenomenal effort. It was a wonderful sight to see. Amla, Maxwell, Morgan and Miller scored 24 between them in that game, and that’s worrisome for the Punjab based franchise. Miller, in particular, has looked completely off-color so far and needs to get his act together soon, else he could lose his spot to either Martin Guptill or Shaun Marsh, both recuperating from injuries.

The bowling unit looks settled on paper. Axar Patel, the slow left arm, and KC Cariappa, the leg-spinner add value to the bowling attack led by Ishant Sharma and Sandeep Sharma. Sandeep Sharma hasn’t been swinging the new ball as much as he used to, and that might prompt Maxwell to start with either Cariappa or Patel from one end, considering the fact that Mumbai Indians have struggled against spin during the powerplay.

For Punjab to make an impact, two of their fantastic four, Amla, Maxwell, Miller and Morgan, need to fire. With Manan Vohra at the top of his game, it’ll help Punjab’s cause. All four of these can turn a game on its head when they get going and Maxwell will desperately hope they deliver the goods.

Predicted XI:

1. Hashim Amla.
2. Manan Vohra.
3. Wriddhiman Saha. (Wicket Keeper)
4. Glenn Maxwell. (Captain)
5. Eoin Morgan.
6. David Miller.
7. Axar Patel.
8. Mohit Sharma.
9. Sandeep Sharma.
10. KC Cariappa.
11. Ishant Sharma.