Five Factors for KXIP that have Inspired a Comeback

The Kings XI Punjab are on a roll now in Indian Premier League 2020. Arguably every Indian cricket fan had them down and out a couple of weeks ago. After losing six of their first seven games in the tournament, they have bounced back with five W's out of five games and if they win the next five, they'll be the champions of IPL 2020. So we at Bharat Army thought why not take a look at five factors that have inspired 5-0 and can orchestrate another one:

5) Brave Cricket with the Punjabi Spirit:

There cannot be two ways about it. Punjab have played some of the best fearless cricket in the second half of this IPL season. A personification of the same could be witnessed in the way Mandeep Singh batted against Kolkata Knight Riders post his father's demise back at home. It was a deeply emotional moment for anyone who would've watched that game. And that has really been the highlight of the team.

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They seem to have come out and just give every ounce of energy on the field with the nothing-to-lose brand of cricket. Youngsters have become the trump cards under such a mindset. The tough Punjabi mindset! Which seems to be the template for KXIP in this comeback which is yet to be completed. Which everyone hopes to be completed. 

4) Excellent Team Management and Leadership:

This brings us to our next point, which is how well-managed unit this Kings Xi Punjab unit looks. Right now they look better than Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bangalore. More amount of options with the ball and multiple heroes with the bat can only look good when they are managed properly. Which seems to be the case. Captain KL Rahul in all these comeback games has used the right piece of his XI at the right time.

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Even the big pundits have been applauding Rahul's role as a captain. But when it about managing a team, there isn't just him. From KXiP head coach Anil Kumble to batting coach Wasim Jaffer to fielding coach Jonty Rhodes and everyone in the support staff seem to be massive plus points for Punjab. And the players clearly look in good shape and jovial. Which goes to highlight the incredible amount of work that has been put at the backend.

3) No leakage from the bowling attack:

It looks like the Punjab bowlers have been given a lesson on how to avoid water leakage in flood-prone districts. Because stopping runs in IPL T20 is very much equivalent to that. On a serious note, the biggest problem for KXIP now seems to be their strength. They managed to defend 126 against a strong batting unit of Sunrisers Hyderabad. That too after 52/0 in the powerplay.

(Image credits: https://www.iplt20.com/photos)

Mohammed Shami has been at the forefront of this bowling attack with 20 wickets in 12 games. But the young guns have contributed immensely. Ravi Bishnoi (12 wickets, 12 games), Arshdeep Singh (9 wickets, 7 games), and Murugan Ashwin (9 wickets, 7 games) have made the KXIP bowling attack function like machinery with all the components working properly. Even though they don't have a single frontline overseas bowler in their XI these days, Jimmy Neesham and their new-ball bowler Glenn Maxwell have now found their spot in the bowling attack. 

2) Rahul-Mayank, are not the only ones:

One almost felt sympathetic for Mayank Agarwal and mostly for KL Rahul in the first half of the tournament. KXIP were getting all the runs they could ask for from these two but that was all with the batting lineup. Suddenly with Gayle coming in that has changed. Nicholas Pooran who most likely would've vacated the spot for his fellow West Indies International has made a mark with his heroic hitting with the bat.

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Mandeep Singh who has been a versatile batsman is now looking a big player in the KXIP batting order. Even Deepak Hooda has been chipping in crucial runs when it matters. The only possible question can be Glenn Maxwell, but with Punjab gaining from backing their players, one could almost feel there's something big coming from the big show Glenn Maxwell.

1) The return of the Universe Boss:

No one, no one can mess with the Universe boss Chris Gayle. One of the all-time greats of T20 cricket and he has stats to back that statement. Even since he has returned, which was in the game against Royal Challengers Bangalore at Sharjah, Punjab hasn't lost a game this season. But it isn't just this singular stat that can be used to justify his place and importance in the side. The numbers do too.

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In five games, Gayle has scored 176 runs, which include two half-centuries. His strike rate is just above 138 but more important than that is the fact that he has been relentless from the word go. Yes, he hasn't been able to score the fifties in every game. But with the franchise of to one of the most outrageous starts in this year edition hasn't played on his head. One can only have nothing but respect for the cool Universe Boss! (This article has been brought to you by cricketnews.com)