Mohali based Kings XI Punjab will be looking to finally end their long title drought in IPL 2021. The Lions, led by Team India’s limited-overs wicketkeeper batsman KL Rahul, have a formidable set of retained players and will be looking to make some useful additions to the squad to truly challenge for the trophy after a below-par campaign in the 2020 edition.
KXIP look strong at the top of the order with veteran Chris Gayle and India opener Mayank Agarwal being there alongside skipper Rahul. Local lad Mandeep Singh can be used as a floater while West Indian Nicholas Pooran will be expected to blast the opposition with his hitting prowess. Punjab have retained the Bengal pace duo of experienced Mohammad Shami and young Ishan Porel, both of whom will be returning from injuries while English pacer Chris Jordan and Tamil Nadu spinner M.Ashwin will be looking to re-establish their credentials.
The Anil Kumble coached side has also retained a host of Indian youngsters like Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Harpreet Brar, Darshan Nalkande and Prabhsimran Singh.
KXIP look short in the spin bowling department and might look for an experienced name in the auction. They will also need a calm head in the middle order and an explosive finisher in what appears to be a top-heavy batting line up. The all-rounder’s slot is also up for grabs as Glenn Maxwell has been released by the team. KXIP will have a lot of options to pick from and also the means as they have the highest purse (53.2 crore INR) remaining among the 8 franchises.
Auction Plans – Kings XI Punjab’s lineup looks settled apart from a couple of slots. A frontline pacer and an Indian allrounder are what they need to assemble a well-balanced lineup. With the remaining purse of 53.2cr, getting a quality pacer and an allrounder shouldn’t be a problem.
Possible Targets – South African allrounder Chris Morris and Australian pacer Jhye Richardson can be Kumble’s priority in the auction. Indian International Shivam Dube might also be on Kumble’s list.
Apart from these two crucial spots, Kings XI Punjab would be looking to add some foreign batsmen and Indian spinners as backups. Australian superstar Steve Smith and English Dawid Malan, who is currently ranked number one in t20Is, can fill that void.
