IPL 2021: Three Players Kings XI Punjab should target in the auction

Kings XI Punjab had another disappointing outing in the IPL last term as the Mohali-based franchise failed to qualify for the playoffs of the tournament for the sixth successive season. As a result of that, they released a number of their biggest earners ahead of the upcoming IPL 2021 auctions, including Aussie all-rounder Glenn Maxwell and West Indian pacer Sheldon Cottrell.

The Punjab-based side will now be heading into the auction room with a total of nine slots to fill in their squad and have the largest spending purse of ₹53.2 Crores available to them for recruitments.

On that note, here is a list of three players KXIP should target in the IPL 2021 auction.

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#3 Jhye Richardson

Jhye Richardson was in a brilliant form in the recently concluded Big Bash League

One of the biggest issues for Kings XI Punjab last season was the inefficiency of their fast bowlers, especially in the death overs. Sheldon Cottrell and Jimmy Nesham, two of Punjab's biggest buys during the last auction, failed to live up to expectations and were subsequently released by Anil Kumble and his management.

Australian pacer Jhye Richardson is among the best young bowlers in the world currently and could prove to be a great addition to the Kings squad.

The 24-year-old was in an exceptional form in the recently concluded Big Bash League and he finished as the tournament's leading wicket-taker. He picked up 29 wickets in 17 games with a strike rate of 12.70, while conceding just 7.69 runs per over.

At the international level, he has featured in nine T20I's for the Aussies thus far, picking up nine wickets. He was also included in Australia's 15-man squad for the ICC World Cup 2019 but was later ruled out of the competition through a shoulder injury.

Also see: KXIP retained players list 2021

#2 Shakib Al Hasan

Shakib al Hasan is regarded as one of the best all-rounders in the world.

Having released Glenn Maxwell, Krishnappa Gowtham and James Neesham ahead of the new season, Kings XI Punjab are in dire need of a quality all-rounder, who can score quick runs down the order as well as consistently bowl his quota of four overs.

Bangladeshi all-rounder, Shakib al Hasan, who missed the last edition of the tournament with a ban, has recently made his return to international cricket and has helped his national side register a 3-0 clean sweep in a recently concluded ODI series against West Indies.

The 33-year-old has played 63 games in his IPL career so far, scoring 746 runs at an average of 21.31. His numbers with the ball are decent as well, with 59 wickets registered to his name.

Shakib has listed himself among the 11 players at the highest base price of INR 2 crores and is likely to start a bidding war among the franchises for his acquisition at the auctions.

#1 Steve Smith

Steve Smith will be one of the most sought after players during the IPL 2021 Players Auction.

After finishing bottom in the IPL points table last season, Rajasthan Royals released their captain Steve Smith ahead of the upcoming season. The Aussie will now go under the hammer during the IPL 2021 Player Auction which will be held in Chennai on February 18th.

A solid batsman, Smith can lend stability to Kings XI Punjab's middle order, which collapsed on numerous occasions last season. His presence will release some captaincy pressure from KL Rahul as well, who is still inexperienced as a captain.

The 31-year-old has represented Australia in 45 T20Is and has scored 794 runs at an average of 27.38 with a strike rate of 129.53. His record in IPL is decent too and he has scored 2333 runs at an average of 35.35 with a strike rate of 129.25 in his 95 appearances in the tournament so far. The Sydney-born batsman also has one century and 11 half-centuries to his name in the IPL.