IPL 2019: Three underperformers in KXIP who could be released next season

KXIP was the team to watch out for throughout season as their batsmen had a great year with the bat, but the 2014 finalists failed to entered the playoffs. The least expected players turned out to be game changers for the KXIP.

The side, captained by the Indian spinner Ravichandra Ashwin, won quite a few matches with a helping hand from K.L Rahul, who was a one man army for the team this season. Ashwin also had a great season both as captain and a player. The big guns like David Millier and Andrew Tye failed in this season.

Its one of the reason why the Punjab based franchise failed to enter the play offs in this season. They need to rework on the team composition by releasing the players who has not performed as per the expectations.

Here are the three under performing players who might not be a part of the KXIP squad next season.

#3 Hardus Viljoen

Hardus Viljoen - Image Courtesy (BCCI/IPLT20.com)

Viljoen made his debut in the 2019 IPL, and was expected to play a major role in the team's bowling unit along-with Shami. The South African fast bowler had been a regular in the various T20 leagues across the world,and thus there was palpable excitement. The speedster was given a chance to play 6 games, but was unable to bring out the fiery South African pace like his counterparts, Steyn and Rabada. Vilijoen scalped a total of 7 wickets in 6 games, with an enviable economy of 9.65.

The management could sell him and look for an all-rounder or a foreign pacer, who would add up to the team's strength. They could also look to have a player like Chris Woakes, who would lead the pace attack and play the role of a dependable tail-ender in the batting line up.

#2 Murugan Ashwin

Murugan Ashwin - Image Courtesy (BCCI/IPLT20.com)

Murugan Ashwin had been a nets bowler for the Chennai Super Kings, entering the IPL, and was a regular in the Tamil Nadu team. The leggie was snapped up by the KXIP for 20 lakhs, but had a poor season and failed to prove his worth. The Tamil Nadu bowler, captained by his fellow statesman Ashwin, did not create much impact.

The leg-spinner was expected to give a headache to the opponent batsmen with his bowling, which he failed at. He was able to scalp only 5 wickets in 10 games. He was given much priority over the speedsters, and the previous year's Purple Cap holder, Andrew Tye. M Ashwin had a reasonable economy of 7.50, but was unable to get wickets .

The franchise could go for an extra pace bowler or a spinner to replace him, and they could be eyeing the young Adam Zampa, who created huge waves while playing for the RSP in the past edition of the IPL.

#1 David Miller

David Miller - - Image Courtesy (BCCI/IPLT20.com)

Miller has only played for a single team right from his debut, and that's for the KXIP. The left-hand batsman has been a pillar of strength for the South African side too. With de Villiers retired, he would be expected to fill the former's shoes. The aggressive batsman has been a part of the Punjab side from 2013. Until this season, Miller had been a good middle-order batsman for the team.

But this year, the fate changed as Miller was able to score only 213 runs in 10 games, and never batted with the aggression that he used to play with in the past. In must-win situations, he failed to explode.

Though leaving Miller might be a difficult choice for the management, they could drop him and go for a younger, more aggressive talent to fill the shoes of both - Gayle and Miller, as Gayle is ageing.

They can go for Ben McDermott, a young Australian batsman who could play a major part like the young sensation Sam Curran did for the Kings XI Punjab.