IPL / KXIP retain 16 players from IPL 2020 squad, release list

Cricket Desk: Now is that time of the year where the hammer will be brought out, and the players will go under it, so to say. All the IPL franchises have been instructed that they should release their set of retained players and also confirm the players that they are releasing as well, before the deadline.

The Kings XI Punjab side endured an unsuccessful campaign in the deserts of UAE last year. The KL Rahul led side finished at sixth place and failed to qualify for the playoffs. Even though Rahul scored 670 runs and won the Orange Cap, he could not inspire his side to the IPL playoffs last year.

And, as expected there are some major names that have been released by the KXIP camp. A lot of weightage has been given to performances in the previous edition. And, as many as 7 players have been released by the Punjab side. If you are having any queries about Chris Gayle, let us give you the spoiler straight away, the Universe Boss has been retained by the franchise.

KXIP release Maxwell, Cottrell and Neesham

Meanwhile, the Punjab side has released some big names. Australia’s big-hitting batsman Glenn Maxwell, West Indian pacer Sheldon Cottrell, Afghan spinner Mujeeb ur Rahman and all-rounder Jimmy Neesham have all been let go of by Punjab. Maxwell had a disastrous outing in the 13th IPL edition and scored just 108 runs at a meagre average of 15.43.

Even though Maxwell found form in the limited-overs series against India post the 2020 IPL edition, it was not enough for Punjab to retain him. Cottrell too endured a poor campaign last year, where he picked up just 6 wickets in as many matches and went at an economy of 8.80 runs per over.

Mujeeb too was given just 2 opportunities last season, and the Afghan spinner did not create a massive impact. In the two games he played, Mujeeb failed to pick up a wicket and went at an economy rate in excess of 10 runs an over. Even Neesham had a forgettable season last year. The Kiwi player scalped just 2 wickets in 5 games and leaked runs as well.

Apart from these big names, the other players who have been released by Punjab are Krishnappa Gowtham, Hardus Viljoen, and Karun Nair. They have Rs 52.8 Crore remaining before the auction.

List of players retained by KXIP

KL Rahul (C), Chris Gayle, Mayank Agarwal, Sarfaraz Khan, Mandeep Singh, Ishan Porel, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, M Ashwin, Harpreet Brar, Darshan Nalkande, Chris Jordan, Deepak Hooda, Nicholas Pooran, Prabhsimran Singh.

List of players released by KXIP

Glenn Maxwell, Sheldon Cottrell, K Gowtham, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Jimmy Neesham, Hardus Viljoen and Karun Nair, J Suchith, Tajinder Singh Dhillon

Purse Remaining

INR 53.2 Crores