IPL Auction 2017: 5 players Kings XI Punjab should look to buy

Kings XI Punjab walk into the 2017 IPL auctions as the team with the highest purchasing power, standing at Rs 23.35 crores. Despite their horrible 2016 season, Kings XI have decent resources at their disposal, 19 of them. That means they can purchase eight more players in the auctions, four of which can be foreigners.

The Kings XI Punjab side has boasted of talents like Yuvraj Singh, Kumar Sangakkara, Brett Lee and Mahela Jayawardena in the past. However, stardom aside, they have underperformed in the tournament since its inaugural season in 2008.

The Chandigarh-based franchise will be looking to make amends this time by making some smart choices at the auctions. They have a pretty well-rounded squad already and go into the auctions with specific needs, unlike many of the other teams.

Extra Cover: IPL Auction 2017: 5 players Gujarat Lions will look to buy

Here is a glance at five players that Kings XI could add to their squad to make it stronger.

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#5 Priyank Panchal

The Gujarat opener was the highest run scorer in the 2016/17 Ranji Trophy, amassing 1310 runs at a stupendous average of 87.33. He came within touching distance of eclipsing VVS Laxman's record of 1415 runs in a Ranji season.

A strong temperament and pleasing-to-the-eye stroke making put Panchal a few yards above the rest. His T20 record is outstanding with an average of above 30 after 23 matches, that includes four half-centuries.

With Kings XI in search of an opener, Panchal could be very much on their radar. He could be a fine replacement for Hashim Amla at the top once he leaves midway to prepare for the England series and CT 2017.

#4 Lungi Ngidi

A raw pace bowler like Ngidi could add a different dimension to the Kings XI attack

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The 20-year-old South African seamer made headlines with his outstanding bowling against the visiting Sri Lankan T20 side. Very much in the Rabada mould, Ngidi possesses skiddy pace and generates awkward bounce.

The Titans seamer picked up the Man of the Match award in his debut match with figures of 4/19. His exploits in the African T20 Cup won him the Player of the Year award and catapulted him into the Titans franchise.

Kings XI Punjab are in search of fast bowlers and in Ngidi they might just find a bargain buy. He can prove to be a handful on the quick wickets which Punjab will play on at home. The 20-year-old could certainly provide that X-factor which Punjab lack in their bowling department.

#3 Karn Sharma

Karn Sharma is a wicket taking leggie and could fit into Punjab's plans

An Indian discard, the leg spinner from Meerut is a handy bowler to have in a T20 squad. Sharma was released by Sunrisers Hyderabad and could find a suitable abode at Punjab, a team that needs a spinner to complement Axar Patel.

They have tried the likes of Shivam Sharma, Karanveer Singh, KC Cariappa and Pardeep Sahu in the past, but with limited success. In Karn Sharma, they will have an experienced spinner who could come at a bargain price in the auctions.

Wrist spinners are dominating world cricket at the moment and investing in the Meerut player could reap rich rewards for Punjab this season. Karn has 79 wickets in 98 T20 games with a best of 5/24 and an economy of 7.32, excellent in sub-continental conditions.

#2 Eoin Morgan

Morgan has been in fine nick in the Big Bash

Another Hyderabad discard, the England limited-overs skipper is as flamboyant as they come in the T20 format. Possessing a wide range of sweep and reverse sweep shots, the left-handed Morgan is a nightmare for bowlers when on song.

Morgan has a strong reputation in T20 circles built around some pretty decent statistics in the format. In 67 T20Is, Morgan has eight half-centuries and an average of 29.58. He made an impact as recently as in the 2016 Big Bash where he smacked Ben Hilfenhaus for a six off the final ball to guide his team to victory.

Kings XI Punjab have Miller and Maxwell in the middle order but Sehwag has been pretty vocal about including another established middle order batsman, and Morgan could fit in easily. Given that Miller may need to leave early, the England captain may be the fulcrum of the Punjab middle-order in the latter half of the season.

#1 Trent Boult

Boult can swing the ball early on in the innings and would be a handy player to have in the side

Kings XI need as many good fast bowlers as they can get in this auction. They are in dire need of quick men having disposed of Mitchell Johnson, Kyle Abbott and Rishi Dhawan. Sandeep Sharma, Anureet Singh, Mohit Sharma and Shardul Thakur are their only retained seamers.

All of the retained men are Indians and they could do with a real star bowler like Trent Boult. A fine opening bowler, Boult recently registered the second best figures by a Kiwi bowler in T20s with his spell of 4-0-8-2 against the Proteas at Eden Park.

The quicker pitches in Punjab would mean that Boult has familiar conditions at his disposal. An out and out swing bowler, his opening burst could seal the game for Kings XI Punjab. Sandeep Sharma was excellent for the franchise last year on such wickets and combined with Boult, Punjab have an explosive opening combination on the bowling front.