5 players on whom Kings XI Punjab could use the Right to Match (RTM) card

One of the biggest surprises of the IPL player retention was Kings XI Punjab's decision to retain just one player. They opted to go with Axar Patel ahead of several T20 superstars as they look to build a team that could help them claim their maiden IPL title.

One of the advantages that they have is that they will have the option of using their Right to Match card to get back some of their star players. While they have the likes of Murali Vijay, Hashim Amla and Martin Guptill to choose from, there are better players on whom they can use the Right to Match (RTM) card at the IPL Auction 2018.

Here are 5 players on whom Kings Punjab could use the Right to Match (RTM) card:

Shaun Marsh

If there is one player that has been the foundation for Kings XI Punjab amidst all the changes that have taken place at the franchise, it is Shaun Marsh. The southpaw form Western Australia was picked in the inaugural season and finished the year as the Orange Cap holder.

That catapulted him to international acclaim and he earned a call-up to the Australia on the back of that. Since then he has continually returned to the franchise and has been one of the most consistent players,not just for them but also in the tournament's history.

In the 71 matches that he has played for the side, he has scored nearly 2,500 runs at an average of 40 and strike rate of over 130. He is the franchise's all-time leading run-scorer and getting him back will bring back a sense of stability, especially given his impressive recent form for Australia.

Marcus Stoinis

Stoinis is the ideal T20 all-rounderAlthough Marcus Stoinis' IPL numbers don't immediately make you stand up and want to snap him up, he is one of the most destructive overseas all-rounders. He has shown that time and again for Australia, for whom he has been useful with both the willow and the ball.

Capable of picking up wickets at crucial and taking the game away with the bat, he is the ideal all-rounder that you would want. The fact that he can operate as the finisher in the batting line-up or even open the batting affords a flexibility to the batting order.

Kings XI have the luxury of using the RTM card on an all-rounder who is expected to be in high demand and they should look to take it.

Sandeep Sharma

Sandeep Sharma has been the silent warrior for Kings XI Punjab

If you at the last few years of the IPL, Sandeep Sharma has been one of the most consistent death bowlers. His ability to nail his yorkers makes him an invaluable asset to any T20 side. Add to that the fact that he can swing the new ball and pick up early wickets as well, he is a must-have bowler for any T20 side.

While it wasn't surprising that he wasn't retained by Kings XI, he is one player that they should seriously consider using the RTM card on. The value of a good death bowler should never be underestimated.

Although they have a galaxy of stars to choose from, most of them are batsmen. Having a bowler who is consistently among the wickets and has proven himself to be a star performer for the side is a no-brainer. He has been really unlucky to not have played more T20Is for India but he is a certain must-have as far as the Kings XI are concerned.

Glenn Maxwell

Maxwell strikes at an incredible 164 in the IPL

At the end of last season, Virender Sehwag wasn't best pleased with Glenn Maxwell and many other foreign players for not shouldering responsibility. But few can deny just how explosive Glenn Maxwell can be when he gets going, as he did during IPL 2014, when Kings XI came extremely close to winning their maiden IPL title.

With a career T20 strike rate in excess of 150, Maxwell has time and again proven just how easily he can take the game away from the opposition. While consistency has been an issue with the Australian all-rounder, that shouldn't be the deciding factor for Kings XI as they look to rebuild and create a side that is capable of helping them lift their maiden IPL title.

The 29-year-old has been in good form in domestic cricket and is likely to be one of the most expensive batsmen and with the luxury of an RTM card, KXIP shouldn't not use as it might come back to bite them.

David Miller

Miller has been setting the T20 stage on fire of late

The world record for the fastest T20I century belongs to South Africa's David Miller and in the last six months, the Proteas batsman has been in simply sensational form. That should make things easy for the Kings XI management as they look to build their team for 11th edition of the IPL.

In South Africa's domestic T20 competition, he was sensational for the Knights. He then set the stage on fire in the inaugural T10 league in Sharjah. He then returned back to the Knights for the List-A competition and continued his good form. With an average of 35 and strike rate of over 150, he has been consistent in the IPL as well.

With over 5,000 T20 runs, he brings with him a wealth of experience and an in-form Miller could be the difference for Kings XI and they should certain look at using the RTM card on the 28-year-old batsman.