IPL 2019: 5 Players who Kings XI Punjab might release after this season.

#1 Chris Gayle

IPL 2019 might be Chris Gayle's final stand (Image Courtesy: IPLT20.com)

'Universe Boss' Chris Gayle had yet another satisfying season and didn't disappoint the fans as he scored 493 runs from 13 innings scoring at a strike-rate of 153.60 and average of 40.83. However, this season might be his last in the IPL as he is slowly detaching himself from many T20 leagues after announcing that he would retire from international cricket after this season.

This might very well be the end of an era in the IPL and though Punjab will surely want to do whatever they can to keep him playing, Gayle is likely to hang up his boots after this season. He formed a brilliant opening stand with KL Rahul which was the biggest strength for the side but the duo received little support from their middle order who came alive only in the last couple of games.

The fact that he wasn't able to get one IPL title under his belt would want to make this champion play but it's highly unlikely that such things will happen. Punjab may have to make the toughest release in the franchise's history in letting Gayle go. Finding a replacement for him will be even tougher but at the end of the day, Chris Gayle is likely to retire and force Punjab to release him.