IPL 2020 Auction: 3 areas of concern for KXIP and who they should target

With the IPL 2020 player auctions scheduled for December 19 in Kolkata, a lot of talk has surrounded the multiple permutations and combinations that the eight franchises will be looking to target in their approach to build a strong squad ahead of the next season.

While a few teams have quite a few slots to fill but will need to deal with a limited purse, the Kings XI Punjab could find themselves in a good position to land some top-level players with a purse worth ₹42.70 Crores at their disposal and just nine slots to fill, including four overseas positions.

Having retained a majority of their batting lineup comprising of KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal and Chris Gayle among other big names, KXIP instead offloaded prolific middle-order batsman David Miller, bowling all-rounders Andrew Tye and Sam Curran, apart from their multi-crore signing from last season, Varun Chakravarthy.

Notably, the KXIP management have roped in veteran spinner Anil Kumble as the head coach of the side, while also drafting in Krishnappa Gowtham and J Suchith as part of the trade window ahead of the player auction.

Yet, KXIP still have a few issues to address and here are three major areas they need to target, and the players who can be a good fit in their squad.

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#3 Foreign / Indian middle-order batsman

Glenn Maxwell

David Miller's release by KXIP was one of the biggest talking points when the list of the released and retained players was announced, and his departure for the franchise has now opened up a slot in the middle order that they will need to fill.

While Nicholas Pooran does provide a lot of firepower in the middle, he could also be promoted to the top of the order if Chris Gayle fails to deliver which could, in turn, weaken the middle order.

KXIP might not want to be fully dependent on Mandeep Singh and the young Sarfraz Khan for scoring a bulk of the runs in the middle overs, and this is where a specialist batsman could be of use.

Eoin Morgan and Shaun Marsh, two batsmen who have plied their trade for KXIP also come with experience and could be good picks, while if the franchise is to target Indian batsmen, Rohan Kadam and Jharkhand's Virat Singh could be ideal options.

One might not want to rule out the possibility of KXIP breaking the bank to procure the services of Glenn Maxwell, who has proven credentials in the IPL and could play a massive role in the middle order with his ability to turn matches around with the bat in hand.

#2 A big-hitting all-rounder

Marcus Stoinis could find his way back to KXIP

David Miller's release from KXIP has not only rid the franchise of some solidity in the middle order but has forced them to think of players to sign for some pyrotechnics in the slog overs.

While one might argue that Krishnappa Gowtham, who was drafted into the side from the Rajasthan Royals in the trade window is an able big-hitter, the Karnataka all-rounder was in poor form last season as he scored 18 runs from seven matches at an average of just 6.00, prompting his release from the franchise.

KXIP could target someone like Marcus Stoinis or Mitchell Marsh who can provide them with the impetus in the slog overs and a few useful overs, while Carlos Brathwaite could be an ideal option at the No.5 or No.6 position.

What could also be interesting to note is that Sam Curran could come back into the side, albeit for a lesser price given that he did score a few quick runs, including a match-winning 55* against KKR.

#1 Foreign speedster, backup Indian pacers

Mohit Sharma has played for KXIP in the past editions of the IPL

KXIP have Mohammed Shami in their ranks, and yet, his numbers suggest that they haven't been able to stem the run flow, one aspect that the franchise will look to address at the auctions.

Among the foreign pacers who have thrown their hat in the ring, Pat Cummins could be a good option for KXIP, given that he has looked in good form off-late. If they are looking for some experience, they could also go with South African all-rounder Chris Morris, who is more than capable of using the long handle to good effect.

On the Indian pacers front, Mohit Sharma will be a part of the auction pool, and KXIP might want to bring him back into their side to add more experience to the bowling unit. Yet, given that they have quite a lot of money to spend, expect them to go big to sign the services of Jaydev Unadkat.