Kings XI Punjab has confirmed that their opening batsman and wicketkeeper KL Rahul will lead them in the forthcoming season of the IPL 2020. Rahul was expected to be handed over the captaincy baton after Ravichandran Ashwin was traded out to Delhi Capitals. The right-hander has returned back to form in International cricket and he would like to lead his team with aplomb.
This will be the first time when KL Rahul will lead any IPL team. Rahul has been a consistent batsman for Kings XI Punjab and he would aim to bring out the best of each and every player. The flamboyant batsman had scored a fine century in the second ODI against West Indies at Visakhapatnam to help India level the series.
Punjab had bought the stylish batsman for a hefty amount of INR 11 crores before the IPL 2018 auctions. The franchise co-owner Ness Wadia confirm that Rahul will lead them in the forthcoming season.
Rahul will like to lead from the front.
“We are happy to appoint Rahul as our captain for the upcoming season. He has been through a lot in the last year or so and has now come back strongly,” Ness Wadia, the co-owner of Kings XI Punjab told PTI on the day of the IPL auction in Kolkata.
“He has silenced his critics. You will get to see his ability not just as a batsman but also as a captain. He was our unanimous choice,” he added.
Meanwhile, Wadia believes Rahul is one of the best players in the world. Rahul has done a great job especially in the shortest format of the game.
“I feel he is one of the best players in the world. He showed yesterday what he is capable of. Even India captain Virat Kohli rates him very highly. He is also a very humble human being, has all qualities of a good leader,” said Wadia.
On the other hand, Kings XI Punjab brought back Glenn Maxwell for a whopping price of INR 10.5 crores. Furthermore, they have roped in West Indies fast bowler Sheldon Cottrell for a hefty amount of INR 8.5 crores.
When asked did Kings XI Punjab spent too much on the Australian all-rounder, Wadia responded, “Not at all. Anil (Kumble, head coach) was very clear in his thinking and what he wanted. Maxwell has been with us in the past so he knows the setup.
“I have no doubt in my mind that he will be back to his best very soon. Also very happy to have Cottrell on board,” added Wadia.
Here is Punjab squad for IPL 2020:
KL Rahul, Chris Gayle, Mayank Agarwal, Karun Nair, Sarfaraz Khan, Nicholas Pooran, Mandeep Singh, K Gowtham (T), Mohammed Shami, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Arshdeep Singh, Hardus Viljoen, M Ashwin, J Suchith (T), Harpreet Brar, Darshan Nalkande, Glenn Maxwell, Sheldon Cottrell, Deepak Hooda, Ishan Porel, Ravi Bishnoi, Chris Jordan, James Neesham, Tajinder Singh, Simran Singh.