IPL Auction Strategy for KXIP, 5 Players Punjab Kings can Target

The IPL 2021 auction day is just 3 days away and all the teams would have been sketching things out with multiple plans in place to come out of the auction with the best possible team that has the potential to go all the way through.

One of the richest teams in this year’s auction is KL Rahul led Punjab Kings as they are left with a whopping amount of 53.2 crores but they have a lot of repair work to do as well. They just needed to win their last league game against already eliminated Chennai Super Kings in the previous edition to qualify for the playoffs but they lost the game after having won 5 games on the trot and nissed the playoffs bus. They played their heart out in the second half of the tournament and won the hearts of every fan mainly because of the character they showed after being down and out in the first half.

They have released as many as 9 players and have retained 16 players going into this year’s auction. They don’t have a large talent pool to select from as this being a mini auction but they can pocket some extraordinary gems if they play well at the auction table.

Punjab Kings Squad: KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Chris Gayle, Nicholas Pooran, Mandeep Singh, Prabhsimran Singh, Deepak Hooda, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Mohammad Shami, Darshan Nalkande, Ishan Porel, Ravi Bishnoi, Murugan Ashwin, Chris Jordan, Arshdeep Singh, Harpreet Brar

Lets take a look at 5 players whom KXIP can target at this upcoming auction.

Jhye Richardson

A gun overseas fast bowler to support Mohammed Shami They bought Sheldon Cottrell in the previous auction for more than 8 crores which proved to be a blunder. The big Caribbean fast bowler is someone who can’t bowl in all the phases of the game especially at death. The left arm seamer is lethal with the new ball but except very few teams, no team can afford an overseas player who is a new ball specialist.

KXIP paid the price for not being tactical enough and they released Sheldon Cottrell and will be looking for an overseas fast bowler who can take the workload off Moahmmad Shami. Someone like Jhye Richardson would augur well for them who has the ability to bowl in all the phases of the game. He had an extraordinary BBL where he finished as the leading wicket taker with 29 wickets.

RELATED IPL 2021 DATE and SCHEDULE

Fabian Allen

A finisher to boost the lower middle order

One of the main problems they faced in the previous year was the lack of a strong finisher which forced their captain KL Rahul to play conservatively which cost them a game or two.

Someone like Fabian Allen who has brute power against fast bowlers can be a massive pick and would perfectly fit into the playing XI as an all rounder. He gives quality SLA option to go with his hard hitting prowess which makes him a valuable pick.

Dawid Malan

A backup for the universe BOSS
Remember, KXIP have 5 overseas slots to fill and someone like Dawid Malan would not be a bad option as they might be wanting a left handed batsman at the top of the order as a backup for the universe BOSS.

Dawid Malan is the #1 ranked batsman in the international T20s and he is a good pace power hitter as well. He can act as a backup to both Chris Gayle and Nicholas Pooran and KXIP might be interested in him.

Ben Cutting

A seam bowling power hitter
They signed Jimmy Neesham in the previous edition who turned out to be an utter failure. They need someone who can bowl seamups along with the ability to smack fast bowlers in the later stage of the innings with the bat.

Ben Cutting went unsold in the previous edition but had a decent BBL and teams might certainly be interested in him who is a rare breed. The limited availability of the resources also will turn more number of eyes towards him and KXIP with their remaining purse, can certainly target someone like him.

Krishnappa Gowtham

An off spinner to round it up
Though, Kings XI Punjab released Krishnappa Gowtham, he is one of the rare breeds in off spinner along with a decent hitter of the cricket ball. KXIP have 2 quality leg spinners in Ravi Bishnoi and Murugan Ashwin and a bowler like Krishnappa Gowtham would complement their bowling attack to perfection.

If they manage to get Fabian Allen along with Krishnappa Gowtham, they will have all types of spinners at their disposal which would make them a well rounded side.

For more IPL Auction live news, click here