5 Players KXIP should target in IPL 2021 Auction

The Kings XI Punjab were one of the most promising teams heading into IPL 2020. Unfortunately, the Mohali-based franchise could not live up to the expectations as they finished sixth on the standings. The KL Rahul-led outfit got off to a disastrous start in the first half as they won only one of their first seven fixtures. However, they gained momentum in the second half of the competition as KXIP built a five-match winning streak. At one stage, they were quite close to sealing their Top 4 berth. But losing to the Rajasthan Royals and the Chennai Super Kings in their last two league games cost Punjab a place in the next round. The owners are reportedly impressed with the way KL Rahul led the team in the second half. However, the team management feels that the squad still needs a world-class bowler who can back Mohammed Shami to perfection. Also, they have hinted that they might release Glenn Maxwell before the next auction. Thus, they would also require a top quality foreign all-rounder in their line-up. Here are the five names KXIP would look to target in IPL 2021 auction 1. Mitchell Starc Mitchell Starc. (Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images/Getty Images) Australian speedster Mitchell Starc was unlucky to miss out on a IPL contract in 2020. He had pulled out of the competition keeping the forthcoming T20 World Cup in mind. Unfortunately, the organizers had to push the global event back to 2022, meaning that Starc could have played IPL 2020. The left-arm fast bowler is one of the most-feared pacers in world cricket right now. He is currently playing for the New South Wales team in the Sheffield Shield. Starc has shown interest in returning to the IPL, and he may possibly come back to the league next year. If he enters the auction, KXIP should aim to sign him. The pace-friendly conditions in Mohali will assist Starc’s bowling style. Also, he had been quite impressive for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the 2014 and 2015 seasons. Starc could possibly take Sheldon Cottrell’s place in the squad. 2. Colin de Grandhomme Royal Challengers Bangalore’s Colin de Grandhomme in action. (Photo by IANS) As mentioned above, the KXIP officials are not impressed with Glenn Maxwell‘s performance in the United Arab Emirates. The Big Show had lit up the 2014 season with his exploits in the Gulf nation. However, this year, he failed to clear the boundary even once. Since KXIP are unlikely to retain Maxwell for the next season, they could opt for Colin de Grandhomme’s services. The pitch in Mohali will be great for his medium pace bowling. Also, he can smack a few big shots in the slog overs. Talking about his IPL numbers, the Kiwi all-rounder has scored 303 runs in 21 innings at a strike rate of 134.67. He has also taken six wickets in the IPL, with his best figures being 3/4. The 34-year-old could be an exciting addition to the KXIP line-up. 3. Ish Sodhi Ish Sodhi. (Photo: Surjeet Yadav/IANS) Afghan leg-spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman had a brilliant debut IPL season, but his recent performances for KXIP have not been up to the mark. He played a couple of matches for the IPL 2014 runners-up this year. But he could not dismiss a single batsman. The Preity Zinta-owned franchise will probably hunt for a new overseas spin bowling option next year, and New Zealand’s veteran spinner Ish Sodhi could be a decent addition. Sodhi has represented the Rajasthan Royals in the past. He played eight games for the inaugural champions, taking nine wickets at an economy rate of 6.70. Since the Royals had a stacked overseas line-up, they let go of the Kiwi spinner. He went unsold in the IPL 2020 Auction. But the chances that the Kings XI sign him next year are very high. 4. Carlos Brathwaite Carlos Brathwaite against New Zealand. (Photo Source: Twitter) The hero of West Indies’ ICC T20 World Cup 2016 win Carlos Brathwaite surprisingly did not get an IPL contract in 2020. The all-rounder has made a name for himself by performing well in the shortest format of the game. KXIP desperately need a good foreign all-rounder, and Brathwaite can be a proper solution to their woes. The Caribbean star has represented three franchises in the league so far. He started his IPL career at the Delhi Capitals and later moved to the Sunrisers Hyderabad. The Kolkata Knight Riders had signed him in 2019, but Andre Russell‘s presence did not allow Brathwaite to play enough games. So far, the 32-year-old has played 16 IPL matches, aggregating 181 runs at a scoring rate of 163.06. He has taken 13 wickets with the ball, including a three-wicket haul versus the Knight Riders in 2016. 5. Rohan Kadam Rohan Kadam. (Photo Source: Twitter) Another issue that the KXIP faced in IPL 2020 was the poor form of their Indian middle-order batsmen. The quartet of KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Nicholas Pooran, and Chris Gayle scored a majority of runs for the team. KXIP had the likes of Simran Singh, Karun Nair, and Sarfaraz Khan in their squad. However, none of the three players could play with consistency. The team management will be keen to bolster their middle order ahead of the next season, and uncapped player Rohan Kadam could back the Top 4 to perfection. Kadam plays for Karnataka in domestic cricket. The left-handed batsman has scored 794 runs in 19 T20 innings at a brilliant average of 49.62. He has smashed 22 sixes in those 19 innings, showing that he has the ability to clear the boundaries. Also, he can bowl a few overs of leg-spin in the middle. Thus, the 26-year-old can be a utility player for the Mohali-based IPL franchise.

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5 Players KXIP should target in IPL 2021 Auction

Inclusion of two of these players at least will bolster the already promising KXIP squad.

3. Ish Sodhi

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