IPL Auction 2020: Team-wise analysis of likely strategies and potential acquisitions

Kings XI Punjab

KXIP will go into the auction with the highest purse among all teams

Retained: KL Rahul, Chris Gayle*, Mayank Agarwal, Karun Nair, Sarfaraz Khan, Nicholas Pooran*, Mandeep Singh, Mohammed Shami, Mujeeb ur Rahman*, Arshdeep Singh, Hardus Viljoen*, Murugan Ashwin, Harpreet Brar, Darshan Nalkande

Traded In: Krishnappa Gowtham (from RR), Jagadeesha Suchith (from DC)

Released: David Miller, Andrew Tye, Sam Curran, Moises Henriques, Prabhsimran Singh, Agnivesh Ayachi, Varun Chakravarthy

Traded Out: Ankit Rajpoot (to RR), Ravichandran Ashwin (to DC)

Available Auction Purse: INR 42.70 crore

Available Slots: 9 (Indian 5, Overseas 4)

Auction Strategy

The Kings XI Punjab have now become synonymous with annual revamps. But this time, the playing squad has somewhat been spared and their overhaul has been restricted to the decision-making personnel at the helm.

Anil Kumble has replaced Mike Hesson as head coach while Ravichandran Ashwin, who has captained KXIP since 2018, has been traded out to DC.

Interestingly, they only have nine slots to fill and should look to make the most of their superior purse by targeting the hottest pick in each skill category. KXIP have a dearth of seamers - both Indian and overseas - and are expected to strongly pursue them.

Their batting lineup looks more or less sorted, apart from an overseas option to back up Chris Gayle and Nicholas Pooran. KXIP will also be in the market for a world-class all-rounder.

Potential Acquisitions: Chris Lynn, Pat Cummins, Chris Morris, Sheldon Cottrell, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Dale Steyn, Mohit Sharma, Jaydev Unadkat, Barinder Sran, Tushar Deshpande, James Neesham, Marcus Stoinis, Chris Jordan, Lendl Simmons