During the initial stages of the 2011 season, Punjab’s campaign was eerily similar to Rajasthan’s famous triumph of 2008. Gilchrist was leading a side devoid of big names, but had the firepower to win. Paul Valthaty, a previously unknown commodity, took the competition by storm and was amongst the leading runs getters in the championship. The overall campaign was patchy with victories and defeats coming in clusters.
Published: Apr 04, 2012, 10:54 AM (IST)
Edited: Aug 23, 2014, 12:20 PM (IST)
Australians Adam Gilchrist (left) and David Hussey (right) bring in huge value for Kings XI © AFP
By Nishad Pai Vaidya
If the Kolkata Knight Riders were about controversy, glitz and glamour for a major part of the last four seasons, Kings XI Punjab weren’t far behind. In 2008, Punjab dominated the competition along with Rajasthan Royals and powered through to the semi-finals. However, it has been a very bumpy ride for them since as they underperformed on the field and ran into unwanted controversies off it. A new look side under the leadership of Adam Gilchrist promised to turn the tables in 2011 and nearly made it to the play-offs – a performance that may herald a new era for them in the days ahead.
During the initial stages of the 2011 season, Punjab’s campaign was eerily similar to Rajasthan’s famous triumph of 2008. Gilchrist was leading a side devoid of big names, but had the firepower to win. Paul Valthaty, a previously unknown commodity, took the competition by storm and was amongst the leading runs getters in the championship. The overall campaign was patchy with victories and defeats coming in clusters.
The Punjab squad is almost the same with only a few notable changes. Dinesh Karthik has gone to the Mumbai Indians. He has been replaced by Rajagopal Sathish. Azhar Mahmood, Harmeet Singh, James Faulkner and Ramesh Powar are the new recruits. Dimitri Mascarenhas missed the last season, but is available now. However, there is a cloud of doubt around Stuart Broad’s availability. The England player returned home from Sri Lanka owing to injury and it isn’t clear whether he would be fit to play in the IPL.
The top-order is Punjab’s biggest strength and a lot would depend on their performance. Gilchrist and Valthaty form a destructive opening combination and aren’t afraid to take their chances. Although Gilchrist isn’t the player he was a few years ago, he continues to show fight by playing a few blinders. The only problem is that he hasn’t played competitive cricket since the last year’s IPL. Going into the season, he may be a touch rusty and would take time to adjust.
Shaun Marsh forms a vital part of their setup as he has been a massive force in the IPL. The 2008 season witnessed him touch dizzying heights on his way to clinch the orange cap. In fact, he was Punjab’s highest run-scorer in 2011 as well. Off late, he hasn’t been in the best of form. The Australian summer has been a nightmare and the IPL presents him the opportunity to get back to run-scoring ways. The shorter format may allow him to break the shackles and express himself.
Abhishek Nayar and Mandeep Singh are the front-runners amongst the Indian batsmen to make it into the playing eleven. Mandeep is a precociously talented batsman who has done well at the domestic level. Nayar has been a part of the Indian team in the past aiming to get back into contention.
The rest of the line-up would depend upon the foreign players Punjab chooses. Mahmood and Mascarenhas would stake their claims as all-rounders. However, there is also a David Hussey who is an absolute asset in T20 cricket. Ignoring him is a difficult proposition. While taking this decision, Punjab also have to consider the bowling options.
Punjab’s spin bowling department is strong and they have variety. Powar is an off spinner in the classical mould. Piyush Chawla,Punjab’s joint-highest wicket-taker of 2011 can be effective with his leg-breaks. Apart from the two India players, Punjab have two left-arm spinners – Bhragav Bhatt and Bipul Sharma. With such a rich pool, Gilchrist may be able to rotate the spinners and take a few chances depending on the surfaces.
Ryan Harris would lead Punjab’s fast bowling attack that has the likes of Praveen Kumar, Shalabh Srivastav, Faulkner and Broad. In all probability, Harris should be the only overseas fast bowler in the eleven considering the limit on foreign players. With Gilchrist, Marsh and Hussey at the top, it is difficult for Mahmood and Mascarenhas to get games as all-rounders. This is because Harris is a strike bowler and benching him wouldn’t be the best idea.
Gilchrist knows a thing or two about clinching the IPL title from near obscurity. In 2009, he led Deccan Chargers to an IPL victory at the back of their bottom-table finish in 2008. The situation he finds himself with Punjab is contrasting. They did decently well in the previous edition and have a launching pad for the future. The added responsibility of coaching is another challenge. Will Gilchrist amaze yet again?
(Nishad Pai Vaidya is a club-level cricketer with an analytic mind and a sharp eye. It was this sharpness which spotted a wrong replay in IPL4 resulting in Sachin Tendulkar’s dismissal. Some of his analytical pieces have come in for high praise from cerebral former cricketers. Nishad can also be followed on Twitter)
