Since the past few seasons, Kings XI Punjab have been a franchise that has always favoured youngsters, and emerging Indian talents. This season too, they have given debuts to Ravi Bishnoi and also gave chances to young talents like Harpreet Brar, Prabhsimran Singh and Arshdeep Singh. 

There are however many more youngsters waiting in the wings for Kings XI Punjab, like Ishan Porel, Deepak Hooda, Tajinder Singh and Darshan Nalkande. Speaking about one of these youngsters- Ishan Porel, KXIP skipper KL Rahul said in a press conference that he should soon be getting a game in the IPL.  

“Look, he's been very very good, he's bowled well in the nets. I've been impressed with how he's been bowling. He's had a great first class season as well so yeah, some exciting guys in the line-up and one of them being Ishan. Sure at some point, he'll get a game,” said Rahul, talking about Ishan Porel. 

The 22-year-old fast bowler performed brilliantly in the Ranji Trophy Season, helping his team West Bengal reach the final in 2020. Porel picked up 11 wickets in his last three Ranji Trophy games, which included a five-wicket haul against Karnataka in the semi finals. 

Alongside Ishan Porel, another player who could be spotted in Kings XI colours soon this season could be the Universe Boss Chris Gayle. Head Coach Anil Kumble revealed that Gayle was in fact due to play against SRH, but couldn’t make the cut in the end due to health reasons. 

“Chris Gayle was going to play today’s match but he is sick. He is down with food poisoning that’s why he isn’t in the playing eleven,” Kumble told commentators during the SRH game.

With the team looking for a turnaround in fortunes soon to still stand a chance of qualifying for the semi finals, one can expect a few chances in the KXIP line-up when they take on Kolkata Knight Riders next on Saturday at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.