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Apart from the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2014, Punjab Kings (PBKS) had a below-average performance in most of the seasons. Despite being a competitive team, PBKS has consistently fallen short due to inconsistency, preventing them from clinching their maiden IPL title.
In the IPL 2023, PBKS showed promise early in the tournament and were in contention for the playoffs. However, defeats in their final two league games against Delhi Capitals (DC) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) dashed their hopes of advancing further. Punjab Kings finished 8th in the points table with 12 points, securing 6 victories out of their 14 league matches.
Focus on pace bowling in IPL 2024 auction
Recognizing the need to bolster their pace bowling department, Punjab made significant moves in the IPL 2023 auction. They secured the services of Harshal Patel for a hefty sum of 11.75 Crore INR, aiming to strengthen their bowling arsenal. Patel’s addition, alongside the presence of South African star Kagiso Rabada, is expected to enhance Punjab’s bowling prowess and provide a formidable challenge to opposing teams.
Shikhar Dhawan: A potential game-changer for Punjab Kings
Shikhar Dhawan‘s will look to alter the team’s fate in the tournament both with the leadership and the batting. With his vast experience, explosive batting prowess, and leadership qualities, Dhawan has the potential to lead Punjab Kings to their maiden IPL title triumph. His ability to score consistently at the top of the order, coupled with his astute captaincy, can provide the much-needed stability and direction to Punjab’s campaign. As the side aim to script a new chapter of success in IPL history, Dhawan stands as a crucial figure poised to guide them towards their championship aspirations.
Also READ: Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)’s best playing XI for the IPL 2024
Punjab Kings’ (PBKS) top-choice playing XI for the IPL 2024:
1. Shikhar Dhawan
- Dhawan, an experienced campaigner in the IPL, brings stability and firepower to the Punjab’s batting lineup. With his elegant strokeplay and aggressive intent, Dhawan is a proven match-winner capable of steering the team to victory. As an adept opener, he provides a solid foundation, often anchoring the innings with his reliable batting.
- Dhawan’s leadership qualities and cool demeanor make him a respected figure in the dressing room, guiding younger players with his vast experience. His ability to handle pressure situations and deliver consistent performances makes him a crucial asset for Punjab Kings in IPL 2024.
2. Prabhsimran Singh
- Prabhsimran Singh, a talented young wicketkeeper-batter, adds dynamism to the Punjab’s squad with his explosive batting style.
- Known for his aggressive approach at the crease, Prabhsimran has the ability to take on the opposition bowlers from the outset. He possesses a wide array of shots and can quickly change the course of the game with his brisk scoring.
- Prabhsimran agility behind the stumps and sharp cricketing acumen make him a valuable asset in both facets of the game. As he continues to evolve as a cricketer, his presence in the Punjab’s lineup brings depth and vitality to the team’s batting order.
3. Jonny Bairstow
- Jonny Bairstow, the seasoned England‘s cricketer, brings a wealth of experience and versatility to the Punjab’ squad. Renowned for his aggressive batting style, Bairstow has the ability to dominate opposition bowlers with his powerful stroke play.
- Bairstow’s proficiency in playing spin and pace makes him a valuable asset in all conditions, enhancing the team’s chances of success. With a proven track record in T20 cricket, Bairstow’s inclusion strengthens Punjab’s quest for dominance in the IPL 2024 season.
4. Atharva Taide
- Atharva Taide, the young Indian cricketer, brings promise and potential to the Punjab’s squad. Known for his elegant stroke play and solid technique, Taide has impressed in domestic cricket with his ability to anchor innings and build partnerships.
- As a middle-order batter, he offers stability and reliability, capable of laying a strong foundation for the team’s innings. Taide’s composure under pressure and knack for scoring runs in crucial situations make him a valuable asset in the IPL 2024 season.
5. Liam Livingstone
- Liam Livingstone, the dynamic English all-rounder, adds versatility to the Punjab Kings’ lineup with his explosive batting and handy off-spin bowling.
- Renowned for his aggressive stroke play, Livingstone can dismantle bowling attacks with his power-hitting ability, capable of changing the course of a match single-handedly. Moreover, his off-spin provides an additional bowling option, adding depth to the team’s bowling arsenal.
- Livingstone’s athleticism and agility in the field further enhance his value to the side, making him a crucial asset in both batting and bowling departments.
6. Jitesh Sharma
- Jitesh Sharma, the explosive wicketkeeper-batter, brings firepower and aggression to the Punjab’s middle order with his ability to score quick runs and change the momentum of the game.
- Renowned for his attacking stroke play and penchant for big hits, Sharma injects energy into the batting lineup, capable of dismantling opposition bowling attacks with his aggressive approach. His fearless batting style often puts pressure on the opposition, allowing Punjab to capitalize on scoring opportunities and post imposing totals on the scoreboard.
- Sharma’s knack for accelerating the run rate in the middle overs and providing impetus to the innings makes him a vital asset in the team’s quest for success in IPL 2024, where his explosive batting could turn the tide of matches in Punjab Kings’ favour.
7. Sikandar Raza
- Sikandar Raza, the seasoned all-rounder, brings a wealth of experience and versatility to the Punjab Kings’ squad with his proficiency in both batting and bowling departments.
- Known for his solid technique and ability to anchor the innings, Raza provides stability to the middle order while also possessing the capability to accelerate the scoring rate when needed.
- His off-spin bowling adds depth to the team’s bowling attack, offering crucial breakthroughs in crucial moments of the game. Raza’s all-round abilities make him a valuable asset in IPL 2024, where his contributions with both bat and ball can significantly impact Punjab Kings’ performance and tilt the scales in their favour
8. Harshal Patel
- Patel was the costliest Indian buys in the IPL 2024 auction. The Punjab acquired his services for a hefty sum, reflecting the franchise’s belief in his talent and potential contribution to the team.
- Harshal’s ability to deceive batters with his slower deliveries and variations in pace makes him a formidable bowler in the T20 format. His slower balls, often disguised well to look like regular deliveries, can catch batters off guard and lead to wickets or restrict scoring.
- Patel’s knack for changing the pace of his deliveries effectively adds an element of unpredictability to his bowling, making him challenging to face, especially in the death overs. This skill allows him to control the tempo of the game and apply pressure on the opposition batters.
- He can contribute with the bat as well with some explosive hitting in the end. With his proven track record and match-winning performances, Patel’s presence is expected to bolster Punjab Kings’ prospects in the upcoming IPL season.
9. Harpreet Brar
- Harpreet Brar, a talented all-rounder, brings a valuable combination of batting and bowling skills to the Punjab lineup. As a left-arm spinner, Brar possesses the ability to trouble batters with his accurate line and length, along with subtle variations in flight and pace.
- His crafty spin bowling often puts pressure on opposition batters and can lead to crucial breakthroughs in the middle overs. Additionally, Brar’s ability to contribute with the bat lower down the order adds depth to the team’s batting lineup.
- Known for his aggressive stroke play, he can accelerate the scoring rate when required and provide vital runs in the later stages of the innings.
10. Kagiso Rabada
- Rabada, the South African pace sensation, is known for his raw pace, accuracy, and ability to consistently trouble batters with his aggressive bowling.
- As one of the premier fast bowlers in world cricket, Rabada brings an intimidating presence to the Punjab Kings’ bowling attack. With his ability to generate steep bounce and movement off the pitch, Rabada poses a significant threat to opposition batters, particularly in the powerplay and death overs.
- His lethal yorkers and well-disguised slower balls make him a complete package in the T20 format, capable of picking up crucial wickets at any stage of the game.
11. Arshdeep Singh
- Arshdeep Singh, the promising young left-arm fast bowler, has been a standout performer for the Punjab in recent seasons. Known for his deceptive pace variations and ability to extract movement off the pitch, Arshdeep adds a crucial dimension to the team’s bowling attack.
- Despite his relative youth, Arshdeep has showcased remarkable maturity and composure under pressure, often delivering crucial breakthroughs for his team in crunch situations. His ability to bowl effective yorkers and clever change-ups make him a potent weapon in the death overs, capable of stifling opposition batters and restricting their scoring.
- With his consistent performances and potential for further growth, Arshdeep Singh is a valuable asset for the Punjab in IPL 2024, offering both skill and temperament to the team’s bowling lineup.
5 possible impact players from Punjab Kings (PBKS):
- Vidwath Kaverappa: Hailing from Karnataka, Kaverappa is a right-arm fast-medium bowler who possesses the ability to extract pace and bounce from the pitch. His notable performance includes a five-wicket haul in the Deodhar Trophy 2023 for the South Zone, where he single-handedly dismantled the North Zone batting lineup. His inclusion in the lineup alongside Nitish Rana, Abhishek Sharma and Prabhsimran adds depth to the team’s bowling attack.
- Sam Curran: Curran is an English all-rounder known for his left-arm medium-fast bowling and aggressive batting style. He has proved his mettle in various T20 leagues around the world with his ability to contribute effectively with both bat and ball. Curran’s dynamic presence provides balance to the team and strengthens its middle order.
- Chris Woakes: Woakes is an experienced English cricketer renowned for his consistent performances in all formats of the game. As a skilled right-arm fast-medium bowler and a handy lower-order batters, Woakes brings versatility to the team. His ability to swing the ball and pick up crucial wickets in the middle overs adds depth to Punjab’s bowling attack.
- Rilee Rossouw: Rossouw is a South African left-handed batters known for his aggressive batting style and ability to score quickly. With his vast experience in T20 cricket, Rossouw provides firepower to the team’s top order. His aggressive approach and capability to dominate bowlers make him a valuable asset in the batting lineup.
- Prince Chaudhary: Prince is a promising mystery spinner known for his unique bowling action similar to Rashid Khan. He specializes in bowling googlies with quick speed, making it challenging for batters to read his deliveries. Chaudhary’s ability to deceive batters and pick up crucial wickets adds a new dimension to Punjab’s bowling arsenal.
