Shikhar Dhawan might now play for Kings XI Punjab. Photo credits: BCCI

Shikhar Dhawan looks all set to move to Kings XI Punjab for the upcoming season of Indian Premier League (IPL). Dhawan, who was bought by Sunrisers Hyderabad for an amount of Rs 5.2 Crore, could see his salary being doubled at KXIP, a report in The Times of India suggests. The report also adds that he would be swapped with Karun Nair, who was bought by KXIP for an amount of Rs 5.6 Crore.

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 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 Rs 11 Crore.

(RCB have released Quinton de Kock ahead of next IPL. Photo credits: BCCI)

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

(Also Read: MS Dhoni on cusp of breaking another record)

As per a report in 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 Sunrisers Hyderabad 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 Rs 11.5 Crore, could also be released as he just managed just 11 wickets in IPL 2018.