By IPL 2021-Punjab Kings (PBK) overcome weakness in fast bowling but spin department weak link: With a new name and a strong team, the Punjab Kings are hoping to change their fortunes in the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League for which they have overcome the worry of bowling the last overs, strengthening the middle order. There is an emphasis on doing.
This Punjab team was sixth in the table last season but the team had reached close to reach the playoffs by registering five consecutive wins.
Last season, the team had to bear the brunt of a disputed short run against Delhi Capitals in the first match. Had this decision not been made against them, the team would have been in the top four.
During this period, Mohammed Shami did not get the support of the other bowlers in the fast bowling department and Glenn Maxwell, known for playing big shots, did not bat. The franchise has, however, tried to address these concerns for the upcoming season.
The team will begin their campaign against the Rajasthan Royals on 12 April in Mumbai.
His batting is the strongest side of the team. Captain Lokesh Rahul scored the most runs in the last season and he is in great rhythm. His and Mayank Agarwal’s pair of openers is quite reliable. ‘Universal Boss’ Chris Gayle did not get a chance in the opening matches of the previous season but he has scored 288 runs in seven matches at a strike rate of 137.14. He is expected to get a chance from the first match this season.
Wicket-keeper batsman Nicholas Pooran, who shot big shots, can bat at fourth position.
The franchise has added T20 international top-ranked player David Malan to the squad, who is seen as an alternative to Gayle and Puran
After Maxwell’s departure, Punjab Kings have tried to strengthen the middle order by joining all-rounder Moises Henriques and Tamil Nadu batsman Shah Rukh Khan in the squad. Veteran Deepak Hooda also has the ability to play big shots. Punjab Kings have the option of another foreign all-rounder in the form of Fabian Allen.
Australian fast bowler Zhai Richardson and Riley Meredith have added to the pace of the team’s pace bowling. Meredith had a great performance in the Big Bash League. His arrival will ease pressure from Mohammed Shami and England’s Chris Jordan.
The lack of good spinners, however, may overshadow the team. Punjab Kings off-spinner K.K. In Gautam, he decided to withdraw from the team, who proved to be the most expensive Indian player in the last player auction.
Murugan Ashwin and youngster Ravi Bishnoi, who impressed in the previous season, will once again be expected to perform well. Experienced Jalaj Saxena is also associated with the team. This domestic veteran took 10 wickets in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and spent a run of just 6.26. The team, however, will miss international spinner
The Punjab Kings have not won the IPL title even once, but the team looks strong on paper. Under the supervision of Rahul’s captain and coach Anil Kumble, the team would like to become the champion for the first time.
From the upcoming season of the league, Rahul will get the necessary match practice before the T20 World Cup.
Shami, who took 20 wickets in the league last year, fractured his wrist during the Australia tour and will return to the field after four months. In such a situation, their form will be monitored. The team will also miss Shami’s level of Indian fast bowler.
The Punjab Kings team is as follows:
Lokesh Rahul (captain / wicketkeeper), Mayank Agarwal, Chris Gayle, Mandeep Singh, Prabhasimran Singh, Nicholas Pooran (wicketkeeper), Sarfaraz Khan, Deepak Hooda, Murugan Ashwin, Ravi Bishnoi, Harpreet Brar, Mohammad Shami, Arshadip Singh, Ishan Porel, Darshan Nalakande, Chris Jordan, David Malan, Zhai Richardson, Shah Rukh Khan, Riley Meredith, Moises Henriques, Jalaj Saxena, Utkarsh Singh, Fabian Allen, Saurabh Kumar.
