IPL 2021 Auction: 3 Players That Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) Will Target

King XI Punjab (KXIP) had another unlucky year in the IPL 2020, where they improved their performances as a team but just missed out to qualify for playoffs. So, the IPL 2021 auction is going to be crucial for them.

On the last day of submitting their retention list ahead of the IPL 2021 auction, Kings XI Punjab released many players and these names are Glenn Maxwell, Sheldon Cottrell, Mujeeb Zadran, Hardus Viljoen, James Neesham, Krishnappa Gowtham, Karun Nair, Jagadeesha Suchith and Tejinder Singh Dhillon.

While KXIP can spent over 50 crores during the IPL 2021 auction, they have a total of nine available slots, including five overseas slots. So, there is no doubt that they will put major money for the foreigners during the upcoming IPL 2021 auction.

Kings XI Punjab currently have no proper all-rounders. So, it will be their first target during the forthcoming IPL 2021 auction. The all-rounder slots can also help them to cover their middle-order batting issues. Also, they can try to strengthen their bowling squad.

IPL 2021 Auction: 3 players that Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) will target

Glenn Maxwell

Though Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell had a bad time during the entire IPL 2020, where he scored only 108 runs in 11 innings, he can’t be put out in the limited-overs format. Due to his poor moments, KXIP had no choice to release him due to having a huge salary cap of INR 10.75 crore.

But since the end of the IPL 2020, Maxwell is in great form, and he has showed it in the international cricket and BBL 2020/21. Not only as a batsman, he is now consistent as an off-spinner too. As he is very familiar with the KXIP team, the franchise should try their best to buy him again from the IPL 2021 auction, most probably in lesser salary.

Glenn Maxwell is always a key player in IPL cricket. He has scored 1505 runs in 82 IPL matches (average 22.13; strike-rate 154.67), including six half-centuries. Also, the off-spinner has got 19 wickets in his IPL career. He has already played 70 T20 matches for KXIP.

Chris Morris

South African pace-bowling all-rounder Chris Morris is now open for every IPL team as Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) recently released him. While RCB bought this all-rounder from the IPL 2020 auction for INR 10 crore, majorly due to his performances for Delhi Capitals in the IPL 2019 (13 wickets in 9 games), Morris had an injury in the initial period of the IPL 2020 but he later managed to pick up 11 wickets in 9 matches. However, he was not in best touch in the last few games.

Chris Morris can be a good all-rounder option for KXIP. Morris can play a big role as an overseas pace bowler in the IPL 2021 as he has a great experience in IPL. After 70 IPL matches, Morris has taken 80 wickets. Moreover, he can provide firing batting support in the lower-order, which will be definitely a big bonus for KXIP. As they have huge money left, KXIP can easily get this South African all-rounder.

Umesh Yadav

The right-arm fast bowler Umesh Yadav can be a best pace bowling partner with Mohammed Shami in the KXIP squad. As Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) recently released him, KXIP can go for Umesh Yadav in the IPL 2021 auction.

Umesh has 119 wickets in 121 IPL matches. Though he has struggled many times due to his inconsistency, he is now consistently growing up as a dependable pace-bowler.

While Umesh is likely to get ready for a fresh restart in IPL, KXIP can provide a good opportunity to him as the experienced fast bowler will make this franchise stronger.