Plan Was to Retain Core: Anil Kumble After KXIP Release 9 Players Including Glenn Maxwell

Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) head coach Anil Kumble, on Wednesday, said that they are building a solid and strong team for the 2021 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) while retaining the core group of players. KXIP retained 16 members of its IPL 2020 squad and has dropped 9 players including Glenn Maxwell from the squad.

Joining Maxwell to have their contract terminated with KXIP are Karun Nair, Hardus Viljoen, Jagadeesha Suchith, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Sheldon Cottrell, Jimmy Neesham, Krishnappa Gowtham, Tajinder Singh.

Maxwell managed to score just 108 runs in 13 games, ending his abysmal run in the UAE without a six. Along with Maxwell, West Indies pacer Sheldon Cottrell has also been shown the exit door by the franchise.

In a video shared on the official Twitter handle of KXIP, Kumble said, “After yesterday’s historic Test victory in Australia, we are all excited about the result, having said that it is also that time of the year where IPL preparations kick-start for the new season 2021 IPL.

So today, we have retained 16 players out of the 25-member squad that we had last season. So, the plan is to fill those gaps in the coming auction so that we will be a solid team going into the 2021 IPL.”

“The plan was to keep the core team and make sure that players who are part of the last season continue into this season as well. We believe that this group along with whoever we will pick in the auction will be able to turn things around for the side. It is important for us to look to keep the squad similar and hope for better performance in the coming season,” he added.

Despite having some of the biggest names in the squad, Kings XI Punjab finished at the sixth spot with 12 points from 14 games and this time, the side will be hoping to turn things around.

List of players retained & released

The list does see the bulk of their core squad retained with last season’s captain KL Rahul, opening partner Mayank Agarwal, the Caribbean duo of Chris Gayle and Nicholas Pooran, spinners Mohammed Shami, Chris Jordan, Ravi Bishnoi, and Murugan Ashwin. India’s domestic talents like Prabhsimran Singh, Harpreet Brar, Ishan Porel, and Darshan Nalkande will also feature in the squad. Meanwhile, apart from Glenn Maxwell, Punjab has released 8 more players along the liked of Karun Nair, Hardus Viljoen, and Jagadeesha Suchith.

Retained players: KL Rahul, Chris Gayle, Mayank Agarwal, Nicholas Pooran, Mandeep Singh, Sarfaraz Khan, Deepak Hooda, Prabhsimran Singh, Mohammed Shami, Chris Jordan, Darshan Nalkande, Ravi Bishnoi, Murugan Ashwin, Arshdeep Singh, Harpreet Brar, Ishan Porel

Released players: Glenn Maxwell, Karun Nair, Hardus Viljoen, Jagadeesha Suchith, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Sheldon Cottrell, Jimmy Neesham, Krishnappa Gowtham, Tajinder Singh.

Apart from Maxwell, West Indies’ speed merchant Sheldon Cottrell, another big biggest star attraction has also been released owing to his below-par performance.