We have strengthened our squad from last year: Gilchrist

Gilchrist, 41, had earlier led Deccan Chargers to IPL title in 2009,

Kings XI Punjab captain Adam Gilchrist said that the franchise have a better squad this year which gives him the confidence to do well in the sixth edition of the Indian Premier League.

"It's a new challenge now. We have got different set of players. In the last two seasons, we have been in running for semi-finals (berth) till (our) last game. We have strengthened the squad from last year," KXIP captain Adam Gilchrist told a press conference here.

Gilchrist, 41, who had earlier led Deccan Chargers to IPL title in 2009, was asked how he intends to resurrect the sagging fortunes of the KXIP, he replied,"There were plenty of options in the batting department including young Mandeep Singh, Paul Valthaty, Luke Pomersbach while presence of Parvinder Awana, Praveen Kumar, Manpreet Gony and Piyush Chawla strengthens the side's bowling."

After indicating last year that he would bid adieu to IPL as a player, Gilchrist said that after talking to team management that he had one year of his contract still left, he wanted to finish that off.

Gilchrist, who had last season shouldered the responsibility of captain-cum-coach, also added that with presence of Darren Lehman and W V Raman, it has allowed him to "comeback as a player and player only and focus on that...I am very excited looking forward towards enjoying a successful season.