Kings XI Punjab, Mumbai Indians and Sunrisers Hyderabad confirm their list of released players

Cheteshwar Pujara won’t be part of Kings XI Punjab for the 2015 IPL season

Kings XI Punjab have released the trio of Cheteshwar Pujara, Lakshmipathy Balaji and Murali Kartik from their squad for the 2015 Indian Premier League (IPL) season, it was announced on Monday. By releasing the three players, they have generated Rs 4.7 crores, which will be added to their purse for the upcoming auctions.

The decision of the IPL franchise to let go of them comes as no surprise considering their below-par performances in the 2014 season. Although Kings XI marched all the way to the final before eventually losing to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), none of the three players managed to step up to the plate at any stage of the season.

Pujara, Balaji and Kartik had been bought by the franchise during the auctions in February this year for Rs 1.9 crores, Rs 1.8 crores and Rs 1 crore, respectively.

The 25-year-old Saurashtra batsman, who played as an opener alongside Virender Sehwag, scored just 125 runs from 6 games at a paltry average of 25 and a mediocre strike-rate of 100.8. He was eventually dropped in favour of Manan Vohra, who played a starring role in Kings XI’s ascent to the final. Balaji, meanwhile, took 12 wickets from 9 matches at an economy rate of almost 9, and experienced left-arm spinner Kartik managed just one wicket from the two matches that he played.

Explaining the thinking behind their omission for next season, a Kings XI official said: "It is to do with Twenty20 and performance. Pujara is really a big name for Test cricket. He is a solid player. He does not fit with the current team's composition in his role as a Twenty20 batsman. That is the same reason for the other two also."

Mumbai Indians and SRH also release big names

Mumbai Indians, meanwhile, have let go of the services of fast bowler Zaheer Khan, left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha and wicketkeeper CM Gautam. Zaheer was injured for most of the 2014 season, and with age not on his side, it’ll be surprising if any of the other franchises show a firm interest in the 36-year-old.

On #IPL players released: SRH - Sammy, Irfan Pathan, Mishra. MI - Zaheer, Pragyan, CM Gautam. RCB - Yuvraj. DD to have approx 40 cr purse.

— Wisden India (@WisdenIndia) December 15, 2014

Sunrisers Hyderabad have also decided to release West Indies T20 captain Darren Sammy, all-rounder Irfan Pathan and leg-spinner Amit Mishra in a bid to expand their purse prior to the auction.

Note: West Indies pacer Krishmar Santokie has been added to the list of players released by Mumbai.