3 all-rounders who KXIP could target at IPL Auction 2019

The Kings XI Punjab finished 7th last season. They had a great start but they failed to impress after that. Their big signings in the auction, KL Rahul, Andrew Tye and Mujeeb Ur Rahman performed well but the other Indian players had a torrid time last year. Ashwin, the captain had a forgettable outing and Yuvraj Singh even has chances of going unsold this year.

One big issue was their extremely weak middle order. Manoj Tiwary, Marcus Stoinis and Yuvraj Singh didn't contribute much and most of their runs were supplied by Rahul who was brilliant, Gayle and occasionally Karun Nair. They have traded Marcus Stoinis for Mandeep Singh from RCB this season and have released many players.

Here is the list of players who they released.

Released: Aaron Finch, Axar Patel, Mohit Sharma, Yuvraj Singh, Barinder Sran, Ben Dwarshuis, Manoj Tiwary, Akshdeep Nath, Pardeep Sahu, Mayank Dagar, and Manzoor Dar

Here is the list of players they retained.

Retained: Lokesh Rahul, Chris Gayle, Andrew Tye, Mayank Agarwal, Ankit Rajpoot, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Karun Nair, David Miller, and Ravichandran Ashwin

Let's take a look at 3 all rounders who they will look to target at the auction.

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#3 Carlos Brathwaite

The West Indies T20I skipper is one of the most dangerous T20 players and rose to fame after he hit 4 sixes in the World T20 Final against England in 2016 at the Eden Gardens. He has been part of many IPL franchises since then but has failed to make a lasting impact in any of them. More of an impact player, Brathwaite can both bowl and bat and be their finisher, something which KXIP lacked last season.

He has become more of a bowler and the sixes have reduced but he's still a top candidate when it comes to T20 cricket. His height gives him an extra advantage on pacy tracks and he can bowl at any time of the game and often takes important wickets though he's a bit expensive. Kings XI Punjab have always lacked a quality pace bowling all-rounder and Brathwaite could be the solution to that problem.

#2 Corey Anderson

Anderson could provide the perfect balance

Corey Anderson was part of the RCB setup last season and came in as a last minute replacement for Nathan Coulter-Nile and a lot was expected from him. He got his first start in RCB's 6th game of the season but he failed to perform that game and in the subsequent 2 matches as well. He finished the season off with just 17 runs and 3 wickets from 3 matches.

He has had a good record this year apart from the IPL and has scored 622 runs in 22 matches at a healthy average of 34.55 and a destructive strike rate of 159.07. While Stoinis was a player who can both bat and bowl, he isn't a specialist in anything. Anderson, on the other hand, has played many great innings in the IPL as well as in international cricket with the willow in hand.

His experience and big hitting prowess make him a complete all-rounder who KXIP can look to acquire at the auction.

#1 Glenn Maxwell

It could be the perfect comeback for Maxwell

This list can't exist if it doesn't have probably the most destructive T20 batsman in the world right now. Glenn Maxwell made a great impact in the IPL courtesy a great season for KXIP in 2014 but hasn't been able to replicate his form since. He was signed by the Delhi Daredevils last season but failed to perform well while he has been doing well everywhere else.

Last season, KXIP lacked a player who could score runs at the same pace at which their openers did and their starts were wasted by their weak middle order. If there is even a slim chance of Maxwell shining, franchises will look to go after him and with the IPL likely to be shifted out of India, Kings XI Punjab shouldn't hesitate to go after their former player.

He is back to the top of ICC T20I All Rounders Rankings so he will probably be the best pick for the Kings XI Punjab