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In the aftermath of the Punjab Kings’ (PBKS) narrow defeat against Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, veteran cricketer Harbhajan Singh has voiced his frustration at the team’s uncertain batting order.
PBKS, who fell short by nine runs in a closely contested encounter, faced criticism for their decision-making during the match.
Harbhajan Singh slams Punjab Kings management
Harbhajan, known for his candid opinions, minced no words as he dissected the PBKS’ performance, particularly focusing on their batting approach. Expressing bewilderment over certain decisions, Harbhajan questioned the rationale behind sending Sam Curran to open the innings, a move that raised eyebrows among cricket enthusiasts and pundits alike. “What was the point of sending Sam Curran to open?” queried Harbhajan, highlighting the unconventional decision made by the PBKS’ team management.
Sam Curran, a talented all-rounder, failed to provide the desired start at the top of the order, contributing to PBKS’ early setbacks.Bhajji further lamented the dismissal of Prabhsimran Singh, who fell victim to a risky pull shot, exacerbating PBKS’ woes. Despite the dismissals of Curran and Prabhsimran coming off deliveries that may not have seemed particularly threatening, Singh emphasized the need for a more calculated approach in such situations.
The former Indian cricketer also acknowledged the brilliance of the delivery that saw the back of Rilee Rossouw, describing it as “sensational.” However, Harbhajan’s frustration peaked when discussing the batting position of Liam Livingstone, a player renowned for his finishing prowess. “But then you sent Livingstone as a batter who plays the role of finisher,” remarked Harbhajan, highlighting the perplexing decision to deploy Livingstone higher up the order.
Traditionally, Livingstone occupies the number six position, thriving in the role of a finisher, a fact that Harbhajan reiterated during his analysis of the match.
“What was the point of sending Sam Curran to open? Prabhsimran got out while trying to pull. I can understand that both players got out on not-so-dangerous deliveries. Then the delivery that got Rilee Rossouw out was sensational. But then you sent Livingstone as a batter who plays the role of finisher and whenever he is the captain, he goes on no. 6 because he plays the role of finisher,” said Harbhajan on his YouTube Channel.
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Third successive defeat for Punjab Kings
In the match where MI posted a formidable total of 192/7 on the scoreboard, PBKS managed to muster 183 runs before being bowled out in 19.1 overs. The efforts of Harshal Patel with the ball, claiming three crucial wickets for PBKS, were overshadowed by the batting unit’s inability to chase down the target set by MI.
As PBKS reassess their strategies and regroup for the challenges ahead in IPL 2024, the questions raised by Harbhajan serve as a poignant reminder of the need for clarity and consistency in their approach, particularly in crucial encounters against formidable opponents.
