5 players Kings XI Punjab might retain for the next IPL

With the final match at Hyderabad, the tenth season of the IPL would come to an end. It was recently announced that all the franchise have to give up their bunch of players as fresh auction would take place prior to the commencement of the 11th edition of the high-profile league.

As it turns out, it is not yet certain as to how many players can be retained from each side but there are high chances about the fact that a maximum of five players can be retained from their previous roster. Looking at the past records and faith invested by the think-tank, we have come to a tentative conclusion about the five players in the Kings XI Punjab camp from this year who have high chances to don the red and silver jersey of the Mohali-based team next year.

Punjab is one of the only two original teams from 2008 (Delhi being the other) who still have no silverware to show for despite reaching semi-finals and finals on several occasions. They would desperately bank on these five quintessential professionals to pass on the dimly-lit baton of Kings XI Punjab from IPL 2018 onwards.

1. Shaun Marsh

Shaun Marsh has been an integral part of the Kings XI Punjab line-up since its inception in 2008 squad. He is one of the only few players from all the franchises, who have been retained repeatedly over the course of last 10 editions of the IPL. Shaun Marsh was drafted in the Kings XI side way back in the mega auction of the first edition of the league. Since then, a KXIP squad without this high-pedigree batsman is unimaginable.

Marsh was the Orange Cap holder in the inaugural edition of the cash-rich league. Overall, in 71 matches, Marsh has amassed 2477 runs at an exceptional average of 40 at a strike rate of 133, scoring 20 half-centuries and a century. It is highly unlikely that the team will let go of this iconic player for Punjab in the coming seasons of the high-profile tournament.