Punjab Kings (PBKS) had over 4 crores remaining even after buying 8 players in the IPL 2024 auction. They had their core well retained and many of the players they bought were backups from their first XI.
The problem with Punjab Kings over the years has been not getting the best out of the players they have added to their side. They have a galaxy of overseas superstars who have performed well for other franchises but have failed to do so with The Kings.
Punjab Kings last made an IPL final in 2014 which was incidentally their only final appearance in the league. Since then they have made it to the final. They roped in Sanjay Bangar ahead of IPL 2024 back into their fold as the team’s Head Of Cricket Development. He was present at the auction and was seemingly happy with their purchases.
While they have backups for almost every department, they do not have a backup for Shikhar Dhawan. Dhawan will lead the side this year as well and will have tremendous pressure on him to be consistent at the top.
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The remaining experienced players in the squad will also need to take ownership. PBKS have a good mix of experienced overseas players and it will be interesting to see who gets to play in the playing XI.
Punjab Kings Playing 11 for IPL 2024
Shikhar Dhawan (C)
Dhawan will open the batting for the Punjab Kings. He is amongst the top scorers in the IPL and has already scored more than 800 runs for the franchise in the last two seasons. He scored 373 runs last season. He is no longer a part of the Indian team across formats.
Jonny Bairstow (WK)
Bairstow will open the batting alongside Dhawan. He has not had a good run so far in the IPL with the Punjab Kings. He will look to improve his numbers for the franchise in this IPL season. He scored 253 runs last season for the Kings.
Prabhsimran Singh
The keeper-batter can slot in at three. He opened the batting and played at three in a few games last season for the Kings. He is a big hitter and can score quick runs for the side. Singh scored 358 runs last season including a century.
Liam Livingstone
Liam Livingstone can bat at four. He is another hard-hitter of the ball and can use his all-round ability with the ball to the fullest. He was recently a part of the World Cup squad for England. Livingstone will need to have a big season with the bat.
Jitesh Sharma
Jitesh can bat at five. He showed good finishing skills for the franchise last season that helped him make a return to the Indian T20I side where he impressed one and all. He needs to cement his place in that role for the side.
Sam Curran
Sam Curran was retained despite not playing at his best last season. He was paid 18.50 crores by the franchise in IPL 2023. The franchise has invested their faith in him and he needs to deliver for them this season.
Rishi Dhawan
Rishi Dhawan, the Himachal cricketer can bat at seven. He has played for many seasons in the IPL but has failed to cement his place. However, this time, he fits the bill at six.
Harshal Patel
Harshal can slot in at eight as the specialist Indian seamer in the XI. He was released by the franchise after not having a good season with the ball in IPL 2023 allowing the Kings to snap him up for 11.75 rores. He was the Purple Cap winner of IPL 2021 for RCB.
Arshdeep Singh
Arshdeep will partner with Harshal Patel as the second Indian specialist seamer. He has played for the Kings right from the start of his IPL career in 2019. He has picked 57 wickets from 51 matches for PBKS.
Kagiso Rabada
Raabada will lead the Punjab Kings’ pace attack. He joined the side in IPL 2022 and has picked 30 wickets in the last two seasons. The SA pacer played just six games last season picking seven wickets.
Rahul Chahar
Chahar will be the specialist spinner in the XI. He was not at his best for Punjab in the last two seasons picking up 22 wickets in 25 matches across the last two seasons.
Impact Sub- Harpreet Brar
Harpreet Brar the left-arm spinner can be used as the impact sub. He has the distinction of dismissing Virat Kohli, AB De Villiers, and Glenn Maxwell in the same match and can be a quality addition to the bowling attack.
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