Where will Shikhar Dhawan go in IPL 2019 - Delhi Daredevils or Kings XI Punjab?

Shikhar Dhawan, who has been a key player for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League, could head back to the Delhi Daredevils for the 2019 edition, according to sources. Earlier, there were reports that Dhawan could head to Kings XI Punjab.

According to an ESPNCricinfo report, Dhawan, who played for Delhi Daredevils in the 2008 season, is not happy about his price tag and this has resulted in Sunrisers Hyderabad releasing him through the trading window. In the 2018 auctions, the Sunrisers Hyderabad franchise paid Rs 5.2 crore to retain the left-hander. 

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After playing IPL 2008 for the Daredevils, Dhawan moved to Mumbai Indians and played for the franchise in 2009 and 2010. 

In 2011, Deccan Chargers brought Dhawan for $300,000 but following the disbanding of the franchise in 2012, the Indian cricket team opener became one of the key players for the new franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad.

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Dhawan is the leading run-getter in the IPL for Sunrisers Hyderabad, scoring 4058 runs in 143 games at an average of 33 and a strike-rate of 123. His best performance came in the 2016 season, when he smashed 501 runs at an average of 38 and along with David Warner, helped Sunrisers Hyderabad clinch the IPL title. 

Trade-offs in IPL

Both Dhawan and Delhi Daredevils have not released a public statement. If this deal goes through, then Dhawan will be the third player to have been traded off to another franchise in this period before the auction. 

Quinton de Kock was traded to Mumbai Indians from Royal Challengers Bangalore in what was a money-only trade. This trade involves paying money to the franchise and not replacing an existing player in the team. Mandeep Singh, who played for Royal Challengers Bangalore, has been traded to his home town team of Kings XI Punjab in place of Australia all-rounder Marcus Stoinis. 

The next IPL auction is scheduled on December 16 while some portion of the IPL in 2019 could be played outside of India in the wake of the general elections which will be held early next year.