The latest season of IPL is just about to start. IPL 2023 auction were concluded successfully. All the ten franchises have build up their final squads for the upcoming season. The finalists of IPL 2014, Punjab Kings have also rebuilt their squad from scratch as they are looking forward to win their maiden IPL silverware. PBKS have not been able to qualify to the playoffs for the last seven seasons. We will witness a completely new Punjab Kings in the upcoming IPL 2023. In this article we will talk about Punjab Kings Analysis and Updates.
PBKS IPL 2023 Auction Review
Ahead of the IPL 2022 Mega Auction, PBKS made just two retentions including the likes of opener Mayank Agarwal and left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh. To complete their IPL 2022 squad, PBKS made 23 purchases at the two-day event in Bengaluru. Their main purchases at the auction were of Shikhar Dhawan for INR 8.5 crore, South African fast bowler Kagiso Rabada (INR 9.25 crore), England versatile wicket-keeper batsman Jonny Bairstow (₹6.75 crore) and West Indies all-rounder Odean Smith (INR 6 crore).
Unfortunately, just a season later, they released their skipper Mayank Agarwal and announced Shikhar Dhawan as their new captain for IPL 2023. In the auctions, they bought the following players:-
- Sam Curran (INR 18.50 crore)
- Sikandar Raza (INR 50 lakh)
- Harpreet Bhatia (INR 40 lakh)
- Vidwath Kaverappa (INR 20 lakh)
- Mohit Rathee (INR 20 lakh)
- Shivam Singh (INR 20 lakh)
PBKS have assemble a relatively fresh squad as they are heading into the IPL 2023 season.
PBKS IPL 2023 Squad
Wicketkeepers: Jonny Bairstow (ENG), Prabhsimran Singh, Jitesh Sharma.
Batters: Shikhar Dhawan, Bhanuka Rajapaksa (SL), M. Shahrukh Khan, Atharva Taide, Harpreet Bhatia.
All-rounders: Raj Bawa, Rishi Dhawan, Liam Livingstone (ENG), Sam Curran (ENG), Sikandar Raza (ZIM), Shivam Singh, Mohit Rathee.
Bowlers: Arshdeep Singh, Baltej Singh, Rahul Chahar, Nathan Ellis (AUS), Harpreet Brar, Kagiso Rabada (SA), Vidwath Kaverappa.
IPL 2023 : Punjab Kings Team Analysis
PBKS 2023 Squad : Batsmen
PBKS highly invested in batsmen with great reputation in the T20 format. Shikhar Dhawan will be the vital key for PBKS batting because he is one of the most consistent performers in the history of IPL. With his immense experience, he can single-handedly get the team off to a brisk start. In the middle-order, Punjab have the likes of Liam Livingstone, Jonny Bairstow and Shahrukh Khan.
It can be said that PBKS has one of the best batting line-up in IPL 2023.
PBKS 2023 Squad : Wicketkeepers
It is quite clear by looking at PBKS IPL 2023 squad that Jonny Bairstow will keep the gloves for the franchise. Jitesh Sharma and Prabhsimran Singh are the backup options in this position. They will most likely remain unused because of Bairstow.
PBKS 2023 Squad : All-Rounders
PBKS have shown faith in England all-rounder Sam Curran. The youngster became the most expensive player in the history of IPL as Punjab Kings bought him for a record INR 18.5 crore. This explosive all-rounder is an excellent buy for the team. However, he lacks the experience. PBKS might face some problems in this area due to lack of experienced all-rounders. Raj Bawa is the star from Under-19 World Cup who can impress in IPL 2023.
PBKS 2023 Squad : Bowlers
Except the likes of Kagiso Rabada and Arshdeep Singh, the bowling attack of PBKS looks quite vulnerable. Rahul Chahar is the only reputed spinner in PBKS IPL 2023 squad. They also lack backup bowlers.
PBKS IPL 2023 Team Review
It is true that PBKS completed their squad with a maximum limit of 25 players, but it is also true that they did not pick enough match-winning players. They could have try to balance things out with budget buys. Due to only two retentions, Punjab Kings entered the IPL 2022 Mega Auction with the largest purse of ₹72 crore. Therefore, PBKS could have purchased a couple of more match-winners. They invested too much on novice players like Prerak Mankad, Vaibhav Arora, Writtick Chatterjee, Baltej Dhanda, Ansh Patel, Atharva Taide, Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Benny Howell.
However, in the end, PBKS have built a batting oriented squad which lacks bowling options.
PBKS Playing 11 2023 (Probable XI)
- Shikhar Dhawan
- Jonny Bairstrow (WK)
- Bhanuka Rajapaksa (C)
- Liam Livingston
- Shahrukh Khan
- Rishi Dhawan
- Sam Curran
- Rahul Chahar
- Kagiso Rabada
- Sandeep Sharma
- Arshdeep Singh
