One batsman each team could sign in IPL Auction 2019

Kings XI Punjab: Nicholas Pooran

Pooran has been great in the T10 League

In IPL 2018, Kings XI Punjab had a great start and as the season progressed, they lost momentum and were knocked out of the tournament without making it to the playoffs. Kings XI rode on the batting of KL Rahul, who scored 659 runs at an average of nearly 55 and a strike-rate of nearly 160, and his opening partner Chris Gayle.

Apart from them, there was hardly any contribution from the middle-order batsmen. As a result, Manoj Tiwary, Yuvraj Singh etc. were released ahead of the auction and KXIP will look to address this issue.

One batsman they could target is West Indian youngster Nicholas Pooran. Pooran, who has already won the IPL in 2017 with Mumbai Indians, always had the potential to be a T20 superstar and over the last one year, he has shown everyone why he is one of the most sought-after players in the format.

Even in the ongoing T10 league, he is taking the bowlers to the cleaners. The 23-year-old can be a middle-order batsman and can also double up as an opener if needed. Adding to that, he can keep wickets which will allow Rahul to concentrate only on his batting.