With less than a week to go for the IPL auctions, the different franchises are working on the list of players they want in their side for the upcoming seasons. They have released a number of players to beef up their budget and as such, which way the players move makes for an interesting watch.
As such, Kings XI Punjab have already released a list of players who they want to snap up in the auctions. Young West Indies batsman Shimron Hetmyer, who many expect to be one of the bumper signings this season, is one of their choices. Also, on the list is former New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum and Jaydev Unadkat.
Unadkat is the most expensive Indian player this season with the base price of Rs 1.5 crore
Jaydev Unadkat, who was the most expensive Indian player last season, has set his base price at Rs 1.5 crore. Shimron Hetmyer, who led the Windies to the 2014 U-19 World Cup title, has set his base price at Rs 50 lakh. Hetmyer was superb during the West Indies tour to India last month and his fearless approach and clean hitting against the spinners make him a high-value prospect.
Brendon McCullum, who has featured in all the IPL seasons so far, was released by the Royal Challengers Bangalore, continues to be an attraction in the shortest format despite bidding adieu to the game a few years back. He did not have an entirely fruitful season with RCB last year, but Kings XI could look towards him to establish a leadership coterie along with R Ashwin.
There are no Indians with a base price of Rs 2 crore. Apart from McCullum, the other players with two-crore base price are Lasith Malinga, Angelo Mathews, Colin Ingram, Corey Anderson, Chris Woakes, Samuel Curran, Shaun Marsh and D'Arcy Short.
Kings XI Punjab
IPL 2018 Standing: 7th place
Salary cap available: Rs 36.20 crore
Available slots: 15 (11 Indian, 4 overseas)
The franchise was pretty aggressive at the auctions last season and went for almost all the big names which propped up. They might be a little more cautious this season and could bank on a few low key, yet efficient players for different roles.
