IPL Auction 2020: Grading each franchise based on their performance

#6 Kings XI Punjab - Auction Grade: A

Glenn Maxwell

Players bought: Glenn Maxwell(10.75 Cr), Sheldon Cottrell(8.50 Cr), Deepak Hooda(50 Lac), Ishan Porel(20 Lac), Ravi Bishnoi(2 Cr), James Neesham(50 Lac), Chris Jordan(3 Cr), Tajinder Dhillon(20 Lac), Prabhsimran Singh(55 Lac)

Kings XI Punjab did the one thing this off-season that they have been stalling for over the past few seasons, letting go of the long-time underperforming southpaw David Miller. They also let go of ill-advised big money buys from last year's auction in Varun Chakravarthy and Prabhsimran Singh.

The Kings XI Punjab think tank came in with a clear plan this season as they bolstered their death-overs batting by signing fan-favorite Glenn Maxwell for a huge sum of 10.75 Cr. Maxwell had a great 2019 season with respect to T20I's where he amassed 231 runs in just 4 games at an average of 115.50 including a century against India in India. Coming after KL Rahul, Gayle, Mayank Agarwal, and Nicholas Pooran his big-hitting abilities can boost Kings XI to huge totals.

Last season, KXIP dearly needed someone who could support Shami in the pace department. Enter Sheldon Cottrell, the West Indian left-arm pacer well known for his salute celebration was a pre-draft favorite and is a worthy partner for Shami, in the 6 T20I's he played this year in India, Cottrell snapped 6 wickets at an average of 28.33 while bowling in both the powerplay and death overs.

All-rounders James Neesham and Chris Jordan provide a certain upgrade in the pace bowling department while also presenting the option of big-hitters in the lower order.

Their Indian pace bowling department apart from Shami is a major cause for concern. While budding pacers Arshdeep Singh and Ishan Porel have tons of potential, they will be treading in waters deeper than they have ever have been in their career.

Their spin bowling department which replaced Ravichandran Ashwin with Krisnappa Gowtham will hope that the new acquisition can shun his form slump from last year and lead the line for their franchise or else Kings XI may have to do some tinkering in their overseas lineup to accommodate Mujeeb-Ur-Rehman in their playing XI.