9 players KXIP aka Punjab King should bid at IPL 2021 Auction

KXIP released 9 players ahead of the IPL 2021 Auction. They now got 9 slots remaining with a maximum of 5 overseas slots to fill. They carry the highest budget to the auction table at 53.2 crore INR.

Released Players: 

Glenn Maxwell, Karun Nair, Hardus Viljoen, Jagadeesha Suchith, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Sheldon Cottrell, Jimmy Neesham, Krishnappa Gowtham, Tajinder Singh.

Purse Remaining for Auction: INR 53.2 cr. | Players Remaining: 9 | Overseas slots Remaining: 5

Here is the list of players we think Kings XI Punjab aka Punjab King must bid for at the auction event:

1. Glenn Phillips (New Zealand)

New Zealand’s dashing opener is in the form of his life and with no overseas wicket keeper back up for Nicholas Pooran in the squad, he could be the right fit.

The 24 year old wicket keeper batsman from Auckland could be a red hot property at the IPL 2021 auction table. Already renowned for his destructive ability, this Auckland based cricketer set ablaze CPL by scoring 1147 runs in last 3 seasons at an average of 37.00 for Jamaica Tallawahs. His six hitting ability at the top of the order is something KXIP can look forward to.

2. Chris Morris (South Africa)

Kings XI Punjab had issues with death over bowling and a all-rounder who could deliver them overs and come in handy with bat. Jimmy Neesham’s dismal show with the ball previous season did them no good. Proteas all rounder Chris Morris could be the key to their solution.

The South African all-rounder was quite a handy bowl at crucial juncture of the match for RCB in the UAE edition. Morris was quite influential addressing the slog overs issue for Royal Challengers both with the bat and ball. He picked 11 wickets at 19.09 average in 9 matches. His economy rate of 6.63 was quite impressive for a bowler bowling at the death and powerplay.

3. Fidel Edwards (West Indies)

The 39 year old West Indies pacer is fit as a fiddle (no pun intended) and is still cranking up the pace, posing questions to batsmen all over. The work out regiment he follows could put youngsters to shame. His longevity is a testament to his discipline. The round arm action in itself has found fans around the world since his playing days.

Fidel Edwards’ ability to york and bounce the opposition at will makes him a very lethal prospect. Edwards has 105 T20 wickets to his name at an average of 27.00 with a best of 5-22 – His career economy rate of 7.73 is impressive given he bowls at Powerplay and at the slog overs.

KXIP released Sheldon Cottrell and are in look out for a specialist pacer. The conditions at Mohali would suit a ace pacer like Edwards.

4. Moeen Ali (England)

Kings XI Punjab released Glenn Maxwell, Krishnappa Gowtham and Mujeeb Ur Rahman from their unit – which means the current squad is devoid of any off spinning options.

With Moeen Ali you get a power hitter who can deliver with the bat at any stage of the match and also a quality off-spinner. Moeen could be Punjab’s solution to struggling lower middle order.

The England all-rounder has 309 runs at 158.46 strike rate in IPL history. He also has 10 wickets to his name with an economy rate of 7.13. Ali has also recorded 2 centuries in his T20 career and has a 5 wicket haul to his name!

5. Ben Cutting (Australia)

Ben Cutting walks in to the auction with a decent IPL experience. He scored 238 IPL runs at a strike rate of 168.79 including a Man of the Match award in IPL finals. He also has 10 IPL wickets to his name.

The Aussie all-rounder is quite experienced at the T20 format – scoring 2319 runs and taking 127 wickets. He adds value to any team with his power hitting and ability to change match situations at will.

Cutting is also more than a decent pacer known for his ability to break partnerships which he show cased in the finals of 2016 edition of IPL for the Sunrisers Hyderabad.

6. Vishnu Solanki (Baroda)

Baroda batsman Vishnu Solanki grabbed attention with a stupendous Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy season. He recorded 267 runs at an average of 53.40. His ability to change gears with the bat is a testament to his potential.

Solanki’s 71* in 46 balls against Haryana in SMAT 2021 quater-final was his defining knock that got the eyes balls hovered on him. Needing 15 runs to win in the last 3 balls, he hit a 6, 4 and 6 to finish the match for his team.

Punjab might bid for Solanki given his ‘finishing skills’ and their quest for a domestic batsmen – given they faced issues finishing matches in the previous season.

7. Manimaran Sidharth (Tamil Nadu)

KXIP released Jagadeesha Suchith and other spin options and might get in one to bolster that department.

Manimaran Sidharth’s young T20 career of 6 matches got him 16 wickets at a bowling average of 6.81 and miserly economy rate of 4.95. He could be a budding prospect under the guidance of coach Anil Kumble.

8. Rishi Dhawan (Himachal Pradesh)

The Himachal all-rounder has represented Kings XI Punjab, Kolkata Knight Riders and Mumbai Indians in the past.

The 30 year old all-rounder has a T20 batting average of 31.85 with a career highest of 65*. He also has 73 wickets to his name.

In the recently concluded Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy tournament, Dhawan picked 9 wickets at an average of 16.00 with an economy rate of 6.85. He also unleashed his batting potential in his last 3 batting opportunities – scoring 43, 61* and 35* – 2 of the innings coming in winning cause!

Rishi Dhawan’s hard hitting ability and bowling skills can help KXIP extend their batting line up which can make up for their fragile tail-end line up.

9. Vishnu Vinod (Kerala)

Prabhsimran Singh is the only domestic wicket keeping option Punjab has in their squad. With Vishnu Vinod they can look in to a hard hitting batsman who can come down the order and change match situations.

The Kerala wicket keeper batsman recently registered his highest T20 score of 71* in 38 balls against Delhi in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy tournament. He is known for his strike power and can provide the much needed impetus if need be.

Vinod played 3 IPL matches for RCB in the past but with not much success. He could be just a opportunity away from turning his fate around!

KXIP SQUAD:

KL Rahul (c), Chris Gayle, Mayank Agarwal, Nicholas Pooran, Mandeep Singh, Sarfaraz Khan, Deepak Hooda, Prabhsimran Singh, Mohammed Shami, Chris Jordan, Darshan Nalkande, Ravi Bishnoi, Murugan Ashwin, Arshdeep Singh, Harpreet Brar, Ishan Porel