IPL 2019 Auction: 5 Players KXIP should release before the auction

With the mini-auctions for the 2019 edition of Indian Premiere league around the corner, it is time for the franchises to take a few harsh decisions and release those players that didn't fit into their squad balance.

All eight franchises have been given 15 November as the deadline to make such crucial decisions and inform the governing council.

With the dates of Indian General Elections expected to clash with the IPL, the cash-rich tournament is expected to be played fully or partly outside India.

It becomes even more critical for teams to choose players that can perform in both situations. So this might be one of the parameters for the franchises to consider before considering or releasing players.

Kings XI Punjab is one of those three teams, who are yet to get their hands on the premier trophy. Year after Year it has been the same disappointing story for KXIP and last season was no different.

In 2018 edition, Punjab started their campaign with a bang winning five of their first six games. But the second half was exactly opposite as they managed just one win in their remaining eight fixtures to finish seventh on the points table.

In the aftermath of that King's have already traded All-rounder Marcus Stoinis for Mandeep Singh. Stoinis had a below-par season with Kings in 2018, scoring just 99 runs and picking three wickets. While Mandeep had a pretty decent season with RCB scoring 252 runs in his 13 outings.

So, without much ado, Let's have a look on five other players Kings XI Punjab can release before the auction.

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#5 Mohit Sharma

Mohit Sharma had a season to forget

Mohit Sharma had a decent IPL 2017 outing with the Kings XI Punjab, where he scalped 13 wickets at an average of 31.53.

The aftermath of which resulted in a bidding war for Sharma between the Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders. Ultimately, it was Kings XI Punjab who secured his services for 2018 edition using their Right to Match card at ₹2.4 Crores in the auction.

Sharma’s performance in the IPL 2018 was a stark contrast to his achievements in the previous year. In his nine outings,

He picked up just seven wickets at an average of 46 while leaking 486 runs at an economy of 10.85.

Meanwhile, Mohit's performance after IPL has been below par. In the recently concluded Vijay Hazare Trophy, he managed to pick four scalps in his nine outings for Haryana, which too didn't support his cause. So, the 30-year-old might find himself back in the auction pool.

#4 Barinder Sran

Barinder Sran hasn't had a good run in the IPL

For Barinder Sran, IPL has not been a fairy tale event, as the 25-year-old found himself struggling against the odds.

The left arm medium fast bowler picked up just four wickets at a sky-high average of 57.25, an economy rate of 10.40 and was an easy target for opposition batsmen.

Sran was brought by Punjab on back his performance in IPL 2016, where he picked 14 wickets at an economy of 8.34 and the franchise went on to spent whooping ₹ 2.2 crores on him, a price tag which he has failed to stand tall upon.

Not only in the IPL, but Sran’s performance has also been below par across tournaments this year.

In recently concluded Vijay Hazare Trophy, he managed just three wickets at an average of 48.33, which clearly states his form. Releasing him will give Punjab the cushion of buying any in-form domestic pacer.

#3 Mayank Agarwal

Mayank Agarwal has had a mixed year in the domestic circuit

Mayank Agarwal who was the leading run scorer in VHT 2017-18 season 723 runs, was roped in by the Kings XI Punjab for ₹ 1 Crores. He was expected to play a similar role for them in the 2018 season.

However, Agarwal was not able to replicate his ODI momentum into the T20's and had a poor season with the bat, scoring 120 runs in 11 matches at a lowly average of 12 with his high score being 30.

When Agarwal failed to make a mark despite getting too many chances, as a result, was axed from the playing XI towards the end of the season.

The Karnataka has been in and out of the form after IPL and has not been able to repeat his heroics in 2018 Vijay Hazare Trophy. So, Punjab might decide to solve their middle-order woes by releasing Pandey into the pool and look for a replacement.

#2 Aaron Finch

Aaron Finch could find himself back in the auction pool

Aaron Finch, only batsman till date to represent seven IPL franchises i.e, Rajasthan Royals, Delhi Daredevils, Pune Warriors, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Mumbai Indians, Gujarat Lions and Kings XI Punjab, might find his way back in the auction pool.

In the last IPL season, the 31-year-old scored 134 runs in his ten outings at an average of 16.75, which doesn't satisfy his price tag of ₹6.2 crores. His poor form certainly affected Kings XI's chances of playing play-off's.

Despite being one of the top-ranked batsmen in the T20I circuit, his recent form in the international cricket also put a question mark on his place in the team.

In his most recent T20 assignment against Pakistan, the Aussie opener could only manage four runs in his three outings, which clearly demonstrate the bad run he is going through.

Punjab already has decent openers in the form of Chris Gayle and KL Rahul. Both had a splendid season last time out with Rahul topping the team runs chart with 659 runs followed by Gayle with 368 runs. In that case, the management may decide to release him.

#1 Yuvraj Singh

It has not been a happy homecoming for Yuvi

Yuvraj Singh, the man who made a home return last season after spending his initial years with KXIP was expected to be a mega boost for the franchise.

But the left-hander was not able to cope up with the expectations and had one of the worst IPL seasons in his 11-year league career.

In 2017, Singh smashed 252 runs in his 11 outings for Sunrisers Hyderabad at an average of 28.

His decent performance in the previous outings made Kings XI Punjab spent ₹ 2 crores for his services in 2018 season.

However, his return has not been fruitful as expected and forced out of the team in the second half of the tournament. The 36-year-old could only manage 65 at a below-par average of 10.83.

Yuvraj's career post-IPL 2018 has been quite decent as the batsman amassed 264 runs at an average of 37.71 in his seven outings.

But with age being a factor, he has not been as good as past in T20 format. Which might play a big role in his release from the squad.