IPL 2019: Kings XI Punjab shortlist wicketkeepers for the upcoming auction

The Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) management left everyone baffled when they decided to pick KL Rahul as the only keeper in their squad in IPL 2018. Although the Karnataka batsmen fared decently well, it was just a bit too much of a risk, asking for him as he isn’t a regular keeper. An injury to him or anything of that sorts would have backfired severely leaving the franchise stranded.

However, the management seems to have learnt from the mistakes they made earlier. Hence, they are looking to pick a good wicket-keeper who doesn’t only relieve KL from the additional duties but also can contribute with the bat. Considering KXIP’s performance last season, this move might add the much-needed depth down the order for them. So, ahead of the IPL 2019 auction, the franchise has shortlisted a few names for the job.

Some big targets on the list

Also, a few of these names were shared by them on the social media platforms. In their tweet, KXIP put up the names of seven wicketkeeper batsmen who they consider to be the aptest for the job. All of these seven players are some big names and they would be on the target list of many of the other franchises as well.

These cricketers include Wriddhiman Saha, Naman Ojha, Jonny Bairstow, Heinrich Klaasen, Mohammad Shahzad, Nicholas Pooran and Brendan Taylor. These names were released as a part of the ‘Sadda Haq’ contest where the fans will have to match the Punjab franchise’s auction picks to win some special merchandise and other products.

Since the Kings XI Punjab has got the largest purse going into the auction, we could well expect them to go quite hard after the above-mentioned cricketers. Wriddhiman Saha, Mohammad Shahzad and Nicholas Pooran might be the top contenders for the spot.

Here is KXIP’s tweet

#SaddaSquad Contest!

Click here to participate 👇🏼https://t.co/DIHg28dub7

Match our Auction picks to win KXIP Merchandise and @BoatNirvana products!

Contest TnCs: https://t.co/kO8d78XwUD#KXIP #IPL #IPLAuction #IPL2019 #IPL2019Auction #iplauction2019 #Contest #ContestAlert pic.twitter.com/nDetpnbnpm

— Kings XI Punjab (@lionsdenkxip) December 15, 2018

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