Punjab Kings (PBKS) began their IPL 2024 auction preparations well by keeping most of their key players. However, some of their new signings didn’t quite fit in.
They picked Chris Woakes for INR 4.20 crores, but he’s not known for his T20 skills. Also, he specializes in the powerplay, an area where PBKS already has better pacers. Rilee Rossouw is a good addition, but they might have paid too much for him.
Harshal Patel is a great find for PBKS, especially for the middle and death overs. However, his style might not be as effective on flat Mohali tracks. Still, he seemed like the best choice. Vishwanath Pratap Singh is a top-order batter who can bowl useful off-spin, a valuable addition at a reasonable base price.
Punjab Kings (PBKS) made some interesting choices in the IPL auction. They picked Shashank Singh to replace Shahrukh Khan, both being hard-hitting lower-order batsmen. Shashank showed promise with quick innings while playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad last season. Ashutosh Sharma is another powerful batsman who can add a strong finish to the innings.
They also added Tanay Thyagarajan, a left-arm spin all-rounder, as a backup for Harpreet Brar. Additionally, Prince Choudhary, a leg-spinner, will serve as a backup for Rahul Chahar. PBKS managed to grab talented domestic players at reasonable prices, but their overseas selections could have been better.
PBKS Squad and Player List for IPL 2024
PBKS squad for IPL 2024: Shikhar Dhawan (c), Arshdeep Singh, Ashutosh Sharma, Atharva Taide, Chris Woakes, Harpreet Bhatia, Harpreet Brar, Harshal Patel, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Jonny Bairstow (wk), Kagiso Rabada, Liam Livingstone, Nathan Ellis, Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Prince Chaudhary, Rahul Chahar, Rilee Rossouw, Rishi Dhawan, Sam Curran, Shashank Singh, Shivam Singh, Sikandar Raza, Tanay Thyagarajann, Vidwath Kaverappa, Vishwanath Pratap Singh.
Predicted PBKS Playing XI for IPL 2024
- Shikhar Dhawan (c)
- Jonny Bairstow*
- Prabhsimran Singh
- Atharva Taide
- Liam Livingstone*
- Jitesh Sharma (wk)
- Sam Curran*
- Harpreet Brar
- Harshal Patel
- Kagiso Rabada*
- Rahul Chahar
- Arshdeep Singh
Wicket-Keeper
Punjab Kings will have three wicketkeepers in their best lineup. Jonny Bairstow, Prabhsimran Singh, and Jitesh Sharma all have keeping skills, but Jitesh will be the one wearing the gloves while the other two focus on batting. Figuring out where to place Prabhsimran and Bairstow might be a challenge, but Bairstow could slot in at No.4, drawing on his experience in the middle order.
Prabhsimran performed well as one of Punjab’s top batters last season, particularly at the top of the order. Jitesh Sharma will be the one to finish the innings, displaying consistency and a knack for hitting boundaries
The new additions to the Kings are
- Harshal Patel: Harshal Patel was the top wicket-taker in IPL 2021, earning the Purple Cap with 32 wickets. As an all-rounder from Haryana, he brings valuable domestic and international experience, excelling in bowling at the death.
- Rilee Rossouw: Rilee Rossouw is a wristy batsman with a variety of strokes. His IPL and global league experience make him a valuable asset. The South African player has a track record of delivering match-winning performances.
- Chris Woakes: Chris Woakes, completing the English quartet at Punjab Kings, is a versatile pace-bowling all-rounder. He represents England in all formats and boasts victories in the T20 World Cup and ODI World Cup.
- Ashutosh Sharma: Ashutosh Sharma is renowned for smashing the fastest fifty by an Indian – achieving this feat in just 11 balls during a Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy match in 2023. The former MP and current Railways player broke Yuvraj Singh’s 16-year-old record.
- Shashank Singh: Shashank Singh holds a distinctive Indian record in domestic ODIs, scoring 150 runs and taking 5 wickets against Manipur in the Vijay Hazare Trophy in 2023. He became the first Indian to achieve this in a first-class cricket match.
- Vishwanath Pratap Singh: Vishwanath Pratap Singh, a promising talent from Punjab, showcased his batting skills in the Under 25 level and the Sher E Punjab tournament.
- Tanay Thyagarajan: Tanay Thyagarajan emerged as the leading wicket-taker for Hyderabad in the 2018-19 Ranji season. The left-arm orthodox off-spinner, a regular for Hyderabad in domestic cricket, is set to make his mark in the IPL.
- Prince Choudhary: Prince Choudhary, a right-arm leg-break bowler scouted by the Kings from the NCR region, promises to be a valuable asset to the team
Impact Players for Punjab Kings:
Arshdeep Singh is set to play a crucial role as the impact player for Punjab Kings. He’s the go-to bowler for PBKS, handling both powerplay and death overs. Although his performance in the last season was average and there are concerns about his recent T20 returns, Arshdeep remains the best bowling option for Punjab, and he needs to elevate his game.
In addition, Punjab Kings may opt to include Vidwath Kaverappa in the starting XI. Kaverappa specializes in the powerplay, excelling as a new-ball wicket-taker. He could be utilized as a substitute for a spinner or an overseas pacer. Kaverappa has shown excellent recent form, making him a strong candidate to make an impact for the team.