Kings XI Punjab were touted as one of the strongest sides going into the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). However, a string of poor performances at the start of IPL 2020 losing six games on a trot ensured they fall short in the playoff race.
Meanwhile, Punjab had picked up late winning five consecutive games but losing to Chennai Super Kings in the final league game was the final nail in the coffin. They finished sixth in the points table with six wins from 14 games. Despite good batting performances at the top-order, below-par efforts from the middle-order ensured KXIP fall short on the race.
With Kings XI Punjab confirming that they will look to come back stronger in the next game, they will look to change and chop in their squad.
On that note, let us a take a look at 5 players Kings XI Punjab might release ahead of IPL 2020:
5. Karun Nair
The domestic stalwart from Karnataka has had a very unfortunate career so far. Despite scoring heavily, Karun Nair has failed to attract the selectors of the Indian team and also his employer in the Indian Premier League. More so, Karun has failed to live up to the opportunities whenever he has been provided with an opportunity.
The right-handed batsman managed only 16 runs from four matches he played in IPL 2020. The poor run with the bat saw the management drop him from the playing XI which can also be his last in the Kings XI Punjab jersey.
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As the management look to rebuild a strong squad for the next season, Karun might be shown the exit doors amid the presence of a couple of talented top-order batters.
4. Glenn Maxwell
The all-rounder from Australia has been a disappointment for Kings XI Punjab throughout IPL 2020. Despite severe backing from skipper KL Rahul and the management, Glenn Maxwell never delivered the goods and lived up to the bill.
The 30-year-old cricketer has appeared in 13 games in the 13th edition of the tournament managing only 103 runs at an average of 15.42. With the ball in hand, Maxwell has only scalped three wickets which is quite below-par considering his standards.
Punjab might be tempted to release the all-rounder and clear the funds and go for some young talents in the upcoming season, who can also deliver in the future.
3. Chris Jordan
The veteran all-rounder from England, Chris Jordan has been highly-rated in the shortest format of the game. However, he has completely failed to live up to the expectations in the KXIP jersey in the 13th edition of the cash-rich league in the UAE.
Jordan has featured in nine matches scalping nine wickets at an economy rate of 9.65. With the bat, the Windies-born cricketer has managed only 29 runs with the bat and has been a complete disappointment in this season. As Kings XI Punjab look forward to a new season, they will look to release Chris Jordan and go for a young talent ahead of IPL 2021.
3. Hardus Viljoen
The former South African fast bowler Hardus Viljoen has not played any game for Kings XI Punjab in IPL 2020. The management picked the tall and lanky cricketer for INR 75 lakhs ahead of 2019 edition of IPL and played six matches. He was retained by the franchise for the 2020 edition of the tournament.
But amid the presence of quality fast bowlers, Viljoen didn’t get any game time. As a result, Punjab might be prompted to leave him and free up the budget to go for exciting talents.
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1. James Neesham
The all-rounder from New Zealand has been a common name in the shortest format of the game. Jimmy Neesham has been a regular feature in the Kiwi side but failed to attract the Kings XI Punjab management. The hard-hitting all-rounder featured in five matches and has been an utter disappointment.
Neesham has only managed 19 runs with the highest score of 10 and scalped two wickets – which is quite less going by his standards. The management will be keen to free up an overseas quota ahead of IPL 2021 and look for quality options to strengthen the squad.
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