They definitely are going to give a tough fight to rest of the teams now. It looks like a complete team. While DC performed miserably apart from Dhawan batting was a complete failure. I think they shouldn't loose the momentum they were in. Giving unnecessary rests to core players can prove to be fatal.
If Kings XI Punjab can pick the best team then they are a force to reckon, i think Chris Gayle was their lucky charm and game changer he was brought into the team in the last three matches and they started winning and he is making valuable contribution and even though Glenn Maxwell is not in the best of batting form in this IPL they are utilizing him as an opening bowler and he is doing wonders and these changes are helping them big time and they have the momentum by winning against MI and now DC the top two teams in this edition and with the confidence they have now they can challenge the rest of the teams.
Yeah I personally love Chris Gayle but he definitely isn't a reliable batsmen. So obviously he wasn't the first choice in the squad but after repeitive losses I don't know why KXIP still kept him outside. Talking about Glenn Maxwell I think he is retaining his spot merely due to his bowling. He is not a great addition to bowling I would say but he is more like a Jadeja or Krunal pandya in making. Won't give you much turn but a good line and length to just stop flow of runs. Although not much capable of taking wickets. Moreover he is lucky that KXIP don't have any other big overseas batsmen in their side which also is a reason why he hasn't been replaced so far.
Shikhar has gone beyond expectation to be honest. I didn't think he will come back with such performance. He got some runs in most matches but not as expected as a opener. Here's his stats-
vs KXIP- 0(2)
vs CSK- 35(27)
vs SRH- 34(31)
vs KKR- 26(16)
vs RCB- 32(28)
vs RR- 5(4)
vs MI- 69(52)
vs RR- 57(33)
vs CSK- 101(58)
vs KXIP- 106(61)
You can't say this such bad although. He had bad strike rate at the beginning but in last few matches, his SR has totally changed. Well, he is now 2nd highest run scoree so far in this season.
He actually has ended the expectations of all those young openers who were thinking of getting that opener spot in the Indian Team. Lol. Now once again the confusion for the selectors would be to choose between Dhawan, Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul. Dhawan and Rahul are in best form but you don't generally see Rohit Sharma on bench if he is in the squad because of the reputation he carries. Once again I think KL Rahul would have to play two down maybe. Because Rishab Pant is surely not getting in the team anytime soon. The other youngster like Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson too have not performed after couple of first matches.