If the reports in Times of India to be believed, the Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan will be moving to the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) for the upcoming season of India’s biggest money-spinner. Dhawan, who was bought by Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) for an amount of ₹5.2 Crore, could see his salary being doubled at KXIP. The report also adds that he would be swapped with Karun Nair, who was bought by KXIP for an amount of ₹5.6 Crore.

However, the news of Dhawan going to KXIP was a surprise The report of Dhawan’s move to KXIP comes as a surprise as earlier, a report in The Mumbai Mirror had suggested that he could be moving to Mumbai Indians (MI) for the upcoming season. This move could have seen him open with Rohit Sharma but if Dhawan moves to KXIP, he would open with KL Rahul. The latter was purchased by the Punjab-based franchise for a huge amount of ₹11 Crore.

An official announcement regarding the same is expected to be made soon as the transfer window for the ongoing season will end in a matter of few weeks. MI has already added Quinton de Kock in their team from Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). The franchise has also released Mustafizur Rahman and Akila Dananjaya ahead of the auction for the next season.

ALSO READ: Quinton de Kock Goes To MI From RCB 

According to the reports of ESPNcricinfo, the auction for the upcoming season will take place on December 16 in Goa. Other franchises are also expected to come up with lists of released or transferred players soon.

One could very well see SRH releasing Manish Pandey as the right-handed batsman failed to do justice with the amount (₹11 Crore) he was bought by the franchise. He just managed 284 runs in 13 innings before being dropped from the playing XI.

Jaydev Unadkat, who was bought by Rajasthan Royals for ₹11.5 Crore, could also be released as he just managed just 11 wickets in IPL 2018.