Kings XI Punjab - An auction report

Virender Sehwag

The Kings from Punjab have had a roller coaster ride in the Indian Premier League. While they started quite confidently by finishing as the semi-finalists in the first IPL, they haven’t done much there after. Their hero of the first season, Shaun Marsh is back. But can he deliver the magic again, or will someone else do it this time? I guess we will have to just wait and watch.

Now let us look what they’ve got this year and what’s possibly their best team.

Squad strength: 23 (Indian 16, overseas 7)

Squad cost: INR 55.90 crore

Squad composition

Batsmen: George Bailey (INR 3.25 crore), Virender Sehwag (INR 3.2 crore), Shaun Marsh (INR 2.2 crore), Cheteshwar Pujara (INR 1.9 crore), Gurkeerat Singh (INR 1.3 crore), Mandeep Singh (INR 80 lakh), David Miller (retained), Manan Vohra (retained)

Allrounders: Glenn Maxwell (INR 6 crore), Rishi Dhawan (INR 3 crore), Thisara Perera (INR 1.6 crore), Akshar Patel (INR 75 lakh), Karanveer Singh (INR 10 lakh)

Wicketkeeper-batsmen: Wriddhiman Saha (INR 2.2 crore)

Spinners: Murali Kartik (INR 1 crore), Shivam Sharma (INR 10 lakh)

Fast bowlers: Mitchell Johnson (INR 6.5 crore), Beuran Hendricks (INR 1.8 crore), L Balaji (INR 1.8 crore), Sandeep Sharma (INR 85 lakh), Parvinder Awana (INR 65 lakh), Anureet Singh (INR 20 lakh), Shardul Thakur (INR 20 lakh)

Most expensive player at auction: Mitchell Johnson (INR 6.5 crore)

Bargain buy: L Balaji (INR 1.8 crore)

Kings XI Punjab had a nearly perfect auction this time around. They have got a perfect mix of Indian and foreign talents. This is probably their best squad in 7 seasons of IPL.

Virender Sehwag and Mandeep Singh

Virender Sehwag has changed the way cricket was to be perceived in the 21st century, and he’s a threat in any situation. Getting him at a cheap rate was a huge success for the Kings. His partner this time is Mandeep Singh. Mandeep has been quite consistent with Punjab. His knocks have been crucial to the team’s success.

Mannan Vohra

Mannan Vohra is some talent. That’s the reason this team had to shell out extra 4 crores for this player. He could play as an opener or even as a floater. But his best position would be at No.3, as he would get his desired freedom to play his strokes. His electrifying fielding would also make him a very useful player for any team.

George Bailey

The Australian T20 captain had a phenomenal season against India in India. His season in the BBL with the Hobart Hurricanes was an exceptional one, with him perfectly playing the role of the captain. Bailey could just fit in anywhere; his destructiveness with the bat makes him an important player for this team.

Glenn Maxwell

Another person who had an exceptional tour of India, Glenn Maxwell, has just turned the tides in his favour. The Australian all-rounder is as destructive as one can get and, at the same time, very innovative too. His brand of off-spin and breathtaking fielding makes him a player Punjab wouldn’t want to warm the benches.

David Miller

One of the most dangerous batsmen in limited overs cricket, David Miller can be compared to the ex-Sri Lankan LOI great Sanath Jayasuriya. Miller can decimate any bowling attack on his day. His century last season in the IPL was one of the the highlights of the tournament. His ability to clear the boundary with ease makes him one of the most dangerous players in the world now.

Wriddhiman Saha

Well, Punjab have no choice but to play him. He has proven his worth in the domestic T20s with his state Bengal, but it would be interesting to see how he fares with the big boys in the IPL. Even though he is a proven player, it would be different for him this time around.

Mitchell Johnson

Possibly the best bowler in the world currently, Mitchell Johnson has had an extraordinary year. He decimated the Englishmen in Australia earlier this year, and he is continuing that to the South Africans in the ongoing Test series in South Africa. Swinging the ball at that pace is an enormous advantage for him. Also, he is very handy with the bat. He is arguably one of the best buys this season.

Rishi Dhawan

Rishi Dhawan is a right arm medium fast bowler, who was the highest wicket taker in the just concluded Ranji Trophy season. One of the most promising all-rounders in the Indian cricket circuit, he was the apple of the owners’ eye this time around.

Murali Karthik

Having played for eight different teams around the world, Murali Karthik is one the most versatile cricketers. His trajectory and deception of flight and pace are his most potent weapons. He could also chip in with the bat and is a handy fielder too.

Lakshmipathy Balaji

One of the most underrated players in the IPL, Balaji has proven his worth time and time again. According to me, he’s the best buy for the team from Punjab. His change of pace is excellent. At the death overs where every bowler struggles to find the mark, Balaji executes it perfectly with slower deliveries and yorkers. He would surely play a major role in their performance this time around.