It has been a tough journey for the Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL). They have lost four matches so far in five outings and the latest defeat at the hands of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) was a bit harsh. The three-time champions thumped them by 10 wickets with Shane Watson and Faf du Plessis stitching a record unbeaten 181-run partnership to take their team over the line.

Understandably, KXIP is still struggling to get their best XI on the park and KL Rahul, leading the team for the first time, is feeling the pressure. Former India cricketer Irfan Pathan has made his life a bit easy with his suggestion ahead of the team’s next match.

Irfan reckons KXIP should include Arshdeep Singh, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Deepak Hooda in their line-up to make the team look much better. Rather, they had made three changes for the CSK game itself. Arshdeep played three matches for the same team last year as well and seems to be a decent left-arm pace bowler.

Even Deepak Hooda’s inclusion makes sense given the fact that Sarfaraz Khan hasn’t performed to the expectations in limited chances. Hooda will strengthen the batting order and has the ability to play according to situation.

KXIP’s overseas muddle

KXIP management is still finding a way out to field their best overseas players. While Chris Gayle is still on the bench and Nicholas Pooran has done well, Glenn Maxwell has disappointed a lot. He has scored only 41 runs in five outings so far and clearly, has performed well below the expectations.

The franchise had picked the likes of Sheldon Cottrell and Chris Jordan as their specialist death bowlers. But both of them have looked clueless in that aspect of the game. Cottrell has been brilliant upfront but has conceded more than 25 runs in an over twice at the death. Jordan has not been up to the mark at all going for 98 runs in seven overs he has bowled.

To solve some of their problems, Irfan Pathan has suggested the team to include Afghanistan spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman in the team. It was surprising to see him sit out even in the first match as he was coming off a decent stint in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL). It remains to be seen now if the KL Rahul-led side make these three changes suggested by Irfan.

Here’s his tweet:

For @lionsdenkxip get #Arshdeepsingh #mujeeb #hooda in the playing 11 for the https://t.co/jmUwxuRWD6 will make the team so much better #ipl

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) October 4, 2020