IPL 8, Know Your Team: Kings XI Punjab

Kings XI Punjab

Present Squad

George Bailey (c), Anureet Singh, Parvinder Awana, Rishi Dhawan, Yogesh Golwalkar, Gurkeerat Singh Mann, Beuran Hendricks, Mitchell Johnson, Karanveer Singh, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, David Miller, Nikhil Naik, Axar Patel, Thisara Perera, Wriddhiman Saha (wk),Sandeep Sharma, Virender Sehwag, Shivam Sharma, Shardul Thakur, Murali Vijay, Manan Vohra(IPL 2015: Full Coverage)

Last year's squad

George Bailey (c), Shaun Marsh, David Miller, Virender Sehwag, Cheteshwar Pujara, Gurkeerat Singh, Mandeep Singh, Manan Vohra, Rishi Dhawan, Glenn Maxwell, Akshar Patel, Thisara Perera, Wriddhiman Saha, Parvinder Awana, Lakshmipathy Balaji, Beuran Hendricks, Mitchell Johnson, Murali Kartik, Anureet Singh, Karanveer Singh, Sandeep Sharma, Shardul Thakur, Shivam Sharma

Looking back: IPL-7 Results

In 2014, the Priety Zinta-Ness Wadia owned franchise was one of the best teams of the season. Under the leadership of George Bailey, the Punjab franchise topped the league with 11 wins in 14 games. They finished the season as runners-up after losing the final to Kolkata Knight Riders.

Looking forward: IPL-8

Kings XI have retained their core players from last year. During the IPL 2015 auctions, they made strategic additions to their squad. India Test opener Murali Vijay and domestic cricketers Nikhil Naik and Yogesh Golwalker were bought during the auctions. The side looks stable boasting of four players from Australia's 2015 World Cup winning squad. The addition of Vijay has provided them with more muscle at the top of their order.

Prediction:

Start as favourites to win the IPL. One of the strongest squads in the league and should qualify for the play-offs without much difficulty.