It has been a tale of two halves for Kings XI Punjab. Before their one-week break, Ravichandran Ashwin's team had registered 10 points from seven games (five wins and two losses), but their form has nosedived since then - having secured just one win while suffering three losses. They are still not in the danger zone just yet, but another loss will see them competing with a host of other teams for a place in the play-offs.
IPL 2018
KXIP look to arrest worrying slide; RCB seek winning momentum
Punjab's over reliance on KL Rahul and Gayle has started to raise serious concerns over the depth of not just the middle order, but of the bench strength too. © BCCI
So what has gone wrong for the Punjab outfit after that fine start? Firstly, the over reliance on the opening pair of KL Rahul and Chris Gayle has started to raise serious concerns over the depth of not just the middle order, but that of the bench strength as well. Secondly, the bowling - which Ashwin considers the real strength of the team has started to show some cracks as well. Andrew Tye remains a tough customer to beat, but opposition batsmen have now started learning ways of countering the mystery spin of Mujeeb Ur Rahman. Captain Ashwin has shone only in patches while Axar Patel, Barinder Sran & Co. have failed to inspire any sort of confidence.
On the other hand, the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), who still have a mathematical possibility at making it to the play-offs, have headaches of their own. A
