IPL 2020: KXIP to embark on a massive rebuild job at the auctions
During the IPL auction on December 19 in Kolkata, Kings XI Punjab will perhaps have the biggest rebuilding task on their hands. They have 9 slots including 4 overseas players to fill and will be armed with a significantly large budget of 42.70 crores. But having the biggest budget doesn’t always lead to having a successful outing at the auction, does it? KXIP will have to play it smart and not overspend on players as they still have a few significant weaknesses in the squad to address.
Here we take a look at three areas which they will target during the IPL auctions:
A middle-order batsman
KXIP will require a hard-hitting batsman in the middle-order to take the burden off Nicholas Pooran. Their top-order is stacked up with KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal. Chris Gayle still remains an impact player and can win matches on his own. In the middle-order, KXIP have the Karun Nair, Mandeep Singh and Sarfaraz Khan. But they still need an experienced finisher to fill the void left by David Miller. To address this, KXIP can target Eoin Morgan or Glenn Maxwell. Bringing back Miller also remains an option.
Also read: Rajasthan Royals eager for a reshuffle at the auctions
All-rounder
Bringing in Krishnappa Gowtham from Rajasthan Royals could well prove to be a masterstroke. But KXIP will still require more depth in this department of their squad after releasing Sam Curran and Moises Henriques. Curran can well be an option again at a lower price due to his high-potential. The likes of Marcus Stoinis, Carlos Brathwaite and Mitchell Marsh can also be reasonable alternatives to fill up this gaping hole in the squad.
Pace battery
KXIP do have Mohammed Shami at their disposal. But he was largely unsuccessful at containing the flow of runs last season. Having released Andrew Tye, this is a department which needs desperate strengthening for KXIP considering the conditions in Mohali. With a big budget in their kitty, it will be surprising if they don’t go all guns blazing for Pat Cummins. His counterpart Josh Hazlewood will also grab their attention. In terms of the Indian pacers, the likes of Jaydev Unadkat and Mohit Sharma can be good options for Punjab.
