IPL 2019: Three Cricketers Kings XI Punjab Should Release in the Next Season

Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) once again failed to progress to the playoffs much to their inconsistency in this Indian Premier League (IPL). They started the tournament high with three wins from four matches but lost the track gradually. As a result, they find themselves at the bottom of the points table with only one game to go against Chennai Super Kings.

The Ravichandran Ashwin-led side relied mainly on their experienced cricketers. The likes of David Miller and Andre Tyes has failed badly which has hurt their chances of progressing to the playoff stages. They have lost their last four games on a trot and falls on the bottom half of the points table. Meanwhile, as they lock horns with the defending champions later today, the Kings XI will look to finish the tournament on a high.

However, there have been many players who have failed to perform consistently and make a mark in front of the management. On that context, here is the list of three cricketers, Kings XI Punjab are unlikely to retain in the next edition:

DAVID MILLER

Kings XI Punjab retained David Miller hoping that the South African superstar will lead the charge in the middle order. However, Miller has had an awful time in India leading to the ICC World Cup 2019. The southpaw managed to score only 213 runs from ten matches at an average of just 26.62 including one fifty – which is below part going by his standards.

Miller joined Kings XI Punjab in 2012 edition of the IPL and since then has only played for them. His destructive 38-ball 100 against Royal Challengers Bangalore earned the trust of Punjab franchise, and they never let him go. But with each passing year, the form of the swashbuckling batter has faded away, and this year Miller was an absolute failure.

Going by his form in recent times, Kings XI Punjab are unlikely to retain him for the next season of the IPL.

ANDREW TYE

The fast bowler from Australia, Andrew Tye finished as the highest wicket-taker in the last edition of IPL for the Kings XI Punjab. Rightly so, the Punjab franchise decided to retain the T20 specialist who has a number of variations up his sleeves.

Punjab came into the tournament pinning their hopes on Tye and adding Mohammed Shami alongside him in IPL 2019. However, the tall and lanky fast bowler failed to replicate his effort in this tournament and played only five games. In the five matches, Tye has picked only three wickets and has gone for plenty of runs at an economy rate of over 10.

After a disappointing season mostly because of their fast bowling, Kings XI will look for a replacement of Andre Tye ahead of the next season.

CHRIS GAYLE

Chris Gayle has been one of the major stakeholders in Kings XI Punjab securing five wins in the tournament. He along with KL Rahul at the start of Punjab’s innings is one of the few things that has gone their way. However, age remains a concern for the big Jamaican ahead of the next IPL.

The Universe Boss came to the tournament on the back of some good knocks against England and lived up to his expectations. Gayle scored 462 runs from 11 games at an average of 42 with four half-centuries to his name. He has hit the ball cleanly and has looked in fine touch.

While there is no concern over his current form, Chris Gayle will turn 41 when he comes to India to take part in the IPL next season. Moreover, with Gayle bidding adieu to ODI cricket after the ICC World Cup 2019, he will play in few T20 leagues which have raised doubts over his fitness. As a result, Kings XI Punjab are very likely to release him ahead of the next season.