IPL 2017, Kings XI Punjab profile: Team overview, key players, fixtures, history and prediction

IBTimes UK takes a closer look at the eight teams participating in the 10th edition of the Indian Premier League. Kings XI Punjab will look to put up a better showing this time around after finishing bottom in last year's tournament.

Team overview

Glenn Maxwell has been made captain of Kings XI Punjab after the franchise finished bottom of the table last year under the captaincy of India opener Murali Vijay. The decision is something of a surprise given the Australia batsman's lack of captaincy experience, with the Punjab squad also containing the likes of England limited-overs captain Eoin Morgan, former West Indies T20 captain Darren Sammy and former South Africa Test captain Hashim Amla.

Vijay has pulled out of the tournament due to wrist and shoulder injuries, with pace bowler Ishant Sharma brought in to replace him. KXIP also signed New Zealand duo Martin Guptill and Matt Henry in the auction to further strengthen their overseas pool of talent.

Star man

Glenn Maxwell was named IPL player of the tournament in 2014 but was dropped for several matches last season due to lack of form. The 28-year-old comes into the tournament high on confidence after scoring his maiden Test century in Australia's series defeat against India.

Squad

Players retained

Overseas: David Miller (South Africa), Glenn Maxwell (Australia), Shaun Marsh (Australia), Marcus Stoinis (Australia), Hashim Amla (South Africa)

Domestic: Manan Vohra, Akshar Rajesh Patel, Gurkeerat Mann Singh, Anureet Singh, Sandeep Sharma, Shardul Narendra Thakur, Wriddhiman Saha, Murali Vijay, Nikhil Shankar Naik, Mohit Sharma, KC Cariappa, Armaan Jaffer, Pardeep Sahu, Swapnil Singh, Ishant Sharma

Bought at auction

Overseas: Eoin Morgan (England), Matt Henry (New Zealand), Martin Guptill (New Zealand), Darren Sammy (West Indies)

Domestic: Thangarasu Natarajan, Varun Aaron, Rahul Tewatia, Rinku Singh

History

Kings XI Punjab have never won the IPL title. They finished as runners-up to Kolkata Knight Riders in the 2014 season.

Fixtures

Prediction

KXIP will need big performances from their overseas players and consistency from their Indian bowling contingent to make the play-offs.