3 Overseas players Kings XI Punjab should consider in the IPL 2020 Auction

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Updated: October 31, 2019
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3 Overseas Players Kings XI Punjab should Consider in IPL 2020 Auction

Kings XI Punjab have always under-performed in the Indian Premier League (IPL) even though they have immense potential. The team has got into the top 4 just twice out of the 12 seasons that have been played till now. The Kings XI Punjab team did reach the semi-finals in the very first edition of the IPL in the year 2008 although they have been disappointing from then onwards. 2014 was their watershed moment when they reached the finals, only to lose to the KKR (Kolkata Knight Riders).

In the last 5 IPL seasons, Kings XI Punjab has faced numerous struggles with performance and the team was at the last position in the table for 2015 and 2016 alike. In 2017, they were at number 5 on the table while 2018 saw them at number 7. In the 2019 edition of the IPL, Kings XI Punjab finished at number 6. The Kings XI Punjab Management has made a few positive changes to arrest the slide. Anil Kumble is now the new head coach of the team. He will naturally look to snap up a few high-performing overseas players in the upcoming auction for IPL 2020.

3 Overseas Players Kings XI Punjab should pick in the IPL 2020 Auction

Jason Holder: Jason Holder captains West Indies in Test matches and recently captained Barbados Tridents to the 2019 Caribbean Premier League. He is an all-rounder who can bring balance and depth to any team, particularly with his miserly bowling figures (economy rate) and ability to pick wickets periodically. He can also bat nicely down the order with an ability to pile up runs swiftly enough. Holder last played IPL in the year 2016 and has never quite performed magnificently in the tournament. However, he has improved by leaps and bounds over the last couple of years and the Kings XI Punjab outfit will benefit from his experience and skills. He can replace Moises Henriques who did not get even one game in IPL 2019. His leadership skills and experience will also help motivate younger players in the Kings XI Punjab dressing room. Holder has previously led the West Indies side in the ICC World Cup 2015 and 2019 editions.
Glenn Maxwell: The Big Show could be an amazing acquisition for Kings XI Punjab to shore up their batting lineup. Maxwell played for Kings XI Punjab between 2014-17 prior to being released in 2018 to play for Delhi Capitals. He dropped out of the auction for IPL 2019 since he wanted to prepare well for the ICC World Cup 2019. He will be coveted by several teams in the upcoming auctions for IPL 2020. Maxwell led the Kings XI Punjab team to the finals in the year 2014, notching up a formidable 552 runs at 187.75 (strike rate). However, he scored only 145 and 179 runs in the 2015 and 2016 editions respectively. In 2018, Maxwell found form once again, putting up 310 runs with a decent strike rate. As franchises know, Maxwell comes in handy with the ball as well. He can take crucial wickets in the middle overs too. Maxwell already knows the Kings XI Punjab setup and he has also opened for Australia in T20Is previously. Considering that the team already has Chris Gayle in its ranks for the opening slot, adding Maxwell would make it the most explosive opening combination in the entire IPL. Maxwell can be a replacement for David Miller who did not find form in IPL 2019, playing only 10 matches and putting up 213 runs.
Mushfiqur Rahim: The Kings XI Punjab outfit needs a specialized wicket-keeper instead of relying on someone like KL Rahul who is not a full-time keeper although he did the job in IPL 2019 for the team. Mushfiqur Rahim may be available in the upcoming auction and he is a vital member of the Bangladesh team in all the formats. The wicket-keeper batsman has notched up four 50s in the T20Is with a strike rate of 118.79. Rahim has the skills and experience needed on sub-continent pitches and can keep well to both pace and spin bowlers. He has not played any IPL season till now although he would be a great addition to the Kings XI Punjab team. He can keep wickets nicely while also being a solid batsman in the middle order who can stabilize things whenever there is a top-order collapse. Rahim also has the ability to score quickly in the final few overs, something which will be a huge advantage for any team that secures his services.

Kings XI Punjab will be looking to revamp and overhaul their squad and the above mentioned overseas players should be on their radar. These are players that must be considered by the team since they fit in well and will play vital roles in IPL 2020.