Last Update on: November 5th, 2022 at 11:44 am
Punjab Kings (PBKS) are looking to release their former captain Mayank Agarwal, big-hitter Shahrukh Khan and all-rounder Odean Smith ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 mini-auction, according to a Cricbuzz report.
On November 2, PBKS announced that the veteran opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan, who was bought by the franchise for INR 8.25 crore at the IPL 2022 mega auction, will be replacing Mayank Agarwal as the captain of the side.
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PBKS didn’t have a good run in the IPL 2022 under the leadership of Mayank Agarwal despite being considered one of the strongest teams after the auction and they ended the season in sixth place.
Agarwal, who was one of two players – Arshdeep Singh being the other – retained by the franchise ahead of the IPL 2022 mega auction, scored just 196 runs in 13 matches at an average of 16.33 and a strike rate of 122.50, including one fifty, in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022.
Talking about the performances of Shahrukh and Smith in the Indian Premier League 2022, Shahrukh scored 117 runs in 8 games at an average of 16.71 and a strike rate of 108.33, and the West Indies all-rounder scored 51 runs in 6 games and bagged 6 wickets at an average of 29.67 and an economy of 11.87.
Why Punjab Kings Want To Release Mayank Agarwal, Shahrukh Khan, and Odean Smith?
England Test captain Ben Stokes, who is regarded as one of the best all-rounders in the world, has shown interest in participating in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 and he is expected to enter the IPL 2023 mini-auction. Also, young all-round sensations Sam Curran and Cameron Green are reportedly keen to participate in the cash-rich league.
According to the same report, Punjab Kings’ newly appointed head coach Trevor Bayliss is keen on securing the services of at least two amongst Ben Stokes, Cameron Green, and Sam Curran at the Indian Premier League 2023 mini-auction. That’s why PBKS is looking to release big players like Agarwal (INR 12 crore), Shahrukh (INR 9 crore), and Smith (INR 6 crore).
After the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 mega auction, Punjab Kings had INR 3.45 crore left in their purse and there has been an INR 5 crore increment in the salary cap for this year. PBKS could go to the auction with at least Rs 30 crore, potentially the maximum one could generate for a mini-auction.
Also Read: IPL 2023: Shikhar Dhawan Officially Named As New Punjab Kings Captain, Mayank Agarwal Sacked
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