Report: KXIP To Retain KL Rahul-Anil Kumble Combination; Glenn Maxwell Likely To Be Released Ahead Of IPL 2021

Kings XI Punjab [KXIP] may not have qualified for the playoffs in IPL 2020 but the brand of cricket that they played and the comeback that they scripted after a dismal 1st half, has convinced its owners to retain the captain-coach duo of KL Rahul and Anil Kumble.

After having lost 6 of their first 7 games, the KL Rahul-led unit scripted a remarkable comeback; one that saw them win 5 matches in a row before eventually faltering at the final hurdle.

Apart from KL Rahul, who led the way with the bat, and Mohammed Shami, who spearheaded the bowling-unit, the likes of Mayank Agarwal, Chris Gayle, Nicholas Pooran, Chris Jordan, Arshdeep Singh, and Ravi Bishnoi chipped in with valuable performances throughout the season.

And, according to a report published in Hindustan Times, a source close to the franchise has said that the owners are looking at building a squad around the core of the aforementioned players under the leadership of KL Rahul and Anil Kumble.

“The owners are happy with captain and coach. Rahul was exceptional with the bat and the team scripted a remarkable comeback in the second half of the season. Had that short-run not being called in the first game (against DC), the team would have been in play-offs” a source close to KXIP was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.

“The good thing is a core group has been identified. Gaps need to be plugged in the middle-order where the team needs a power hitter and also a world class fast bowler to support Shami,” the source added.

 

KXIP likely to release Glenn Maxwell and Sheldon Cottrell

The source further added that the overseas duo of Glenn Maxwell and Sheldon Cottrell are likely to be released by Kings XI Punjab following their abysmal show in the 2020 edition.

KXIP had shelled out a total of Rs 19.25 crores on Glenn Maxwell (10.75 crores) and Sheldon Cottrell (8.5 crores) in the last auction.

But both Maxwell- 108 runs in 11 innings at an average of 15.43 and a strike-rate of 101.89– and Cottrell- 6 wickets in 6 games at 29.33- had an abysmal IPL 2020 campaign

“Their performance was not on expected lines and it will be tough to continue with them,” the source added. ”A call on their future will be taken at the team’s review meeting,”

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