IPL 2019: Three Batsmen Kings XI Punjab Could Target in Auction

Kings XI Punjab had a fine start in IPL 2018. The Punjab franchise was able to tick the right boxes in the first half of the league matches. In fact, they had won five matches out of the first seven games and thus their playoff place had looked all but certain. However, the Ravichandran Ashwin-led side veered off the track as they lost the next six matches out of the seven.

Thus, Kings XI Punjab could not get into the final four of the tournament despite getting off to a good start. Therefore, the Punjab team will be determined to go all the way in IPL 2019. The IPL auction is going to take place on December 18 in Jaipur and Punjab’s think tank will like to fill the missing parts in their team.

Subsequently, we take a look at three batsmen who could be targetted by Kings XI Punjab. The team has a potent opening pair in KL Rahul and Chris Gayle. However, Punjab will like to strengthen their middle order. Punjab has four overseas and 11 Indian slots remaining.

Three batsmen who Punjab might target in IPL 2019 Auction:

JP Duminy

JP Duminy has been released by Mumbai Indians. Thus, Kings XI Punjab can go for JP Duminy as he will bring the experience to the depleted middle order.

Duminy has a stellar record in the IPL history. The southpaw batsman has scored 2029 runs in 77 innings at an impressive average of 39.78. The Proteas veteran has scored 14 fifties in the extravagant league. Hence, Duminy can be the answer to Punjab’s middle-order woes. Duminy has been in decent form for the South African team and can be a good addition to the Punjab side.

Shimron Hetmyer

Shimron Hetmyer can bag a million dollar deal in the IPL, India’s off-spinner Harbhajan Singh had predicted. Hetmyer was able to hit the ground running in the recently concluded series against India. He had scored fluently in the ODI series where he attacked the Indian bowlers from the get-go.

Read More: Most Runs in IPL.

Ergo, Punjab can look to a get an explosive batsman like Hetmyer in their ranks. The Windies southpaw batsman had scored 259 runs in the ODI series against India. Furthermore, the left-hander can also use the same experience to deliver the goods in the Indian Premier League.

Glenn Maxwell

Kings XI Punjab can also target their former batsman Glenn Maxwell. The combative right-hander can provide the finishing touches for the Punjab side with his blistering batting. Maxwell had recently scored a quickfire knock of 46 runs against India in the first T20I, which helped his team in winning the match.

Read More: Most Wickets in IPL.

Maxwell has earlier played for Punjab and can hit the ground running in the team. Delhi Daredevils have decided to released Maxwell after the right-hander failed to deliver the goods with the bat. However, Maxwell can change the course of the match with his hard-hitting in a matter of few overs.