Punjab Kings entered the arena of IPL mega auction 2022 with an enormous purse amount. Punjab Kings can possibly structure their finest playing XI ever, as they made a plethora of sound decisions in the auction regarding their player’s decision.
Punjab Kings faced a major setback when they couldn’t strike a deal with their star performer KL Rahul who wanted to move away from the franchise. However, Punjab Kings laid their hands on Mayank Aggarwal(12crores) and Arshdeep Singh(4crores).
Punjab Kings bought a mickle of notable players, including Shikhar Dhawan, Kagiso Rabada, Jonny Bairstow, and many more.
Couldn't have asked for a better #ValentinesDay gift! ❤️
Which 🦁 would you pick as your Valentine's Day date? 😉#SaddaPunjab #PunjabKings #TATAIPLAuction pic.twitter.com/vAfeNSmlMu
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) February 13, 2022
Here’s The Predicted Playing XI of Punjab Kings-
1) Shikhar Dhawan
Punjabi boy Shikhar Dhawan was bought by Punjab Kings in IPL mega auction for 8.25 crores. This is the 5th franchise for Shikhar Dhawan. The player has mind-boggling records in IPL, yet hasn’t been able to settle at one franchise.
Shikhar Dhawan is the second-highest leading run-scorer (5784 runs) in IPL. Thus, he will possibly open innings for Punjab Kings alongside Jonny Bairstow (who was his former partner in the Sunrisers Hyderabad squad)
2) Jonny Bairstow (WK)
Jonny Bairstow was the other big buy by Punjab to strengthen their top-order batting. The English batter doesn’t let a bowler settle with his length and goes all guns blazing on him. Jonny Bairstow has a splendid average above 40 with a strike rate of nearly 142. Jonny Bairstow would be a part of playing XI until an injury or unavoidable circumstance arrives.
3) Mayank Agarwal (Captain)
Mayank Agarwal was the first choice retained player by Punjab Kings for 12 crores, who was the deputy partner for KL Rahul. Mayank always matched the runs tally with KL Rahul and these two batters were the sole reason for Punjab Kings 90% victories. Mayank Aggarwal has been given the reigns of the team and we expect a potent squad around him. We expect him to come down the order at number 3 and play an anchor role.
4) Liam Livingstone
Liam Livingstone was the exorbitant bought of Punjab Kings for 11.5 crores. Although, the English batter has played only 9 matches and yet is highly rated for his talent and big-hitting skills. He holds a strike rate above 155 in 28 T20i games and could resolve the death-hitting issue for Punjab Kings.
5) Raj Bawa
The U-19 star right-arm fast-medium all-rounder saw numerous teams bid for himself and ultimately Punjab Kings had the last laughter for 2 crores. This price was 20times his base price. He took 17 wickets in 10 matches and has an average of 57.16 in ODI. These figures lured everyone.
6) Shahrukh Khan
Shahrukh Khan demonstrated his strength and power in IPL 2021 for Punjab Kings. Soon he was the cynosure of all IPL teams, however PBKS were reluctant to let him go. They fetched him a 9 crore deal for his homecoming. Shahrukh Khan holds a strike rate around 135 but it will certainly rise with the kind of caliber he inherits.
7) Odean Smith
A 6 crore deal for the Caribbean power. Odean Smith can be the next prominent all-rounder from West Indies as he was second leading wicket taker in CPL 2021. Moreover, he smashed the Indian bowlers at a strike rate above 150 in the recently concluded series. Undoubtedly, he can cement his spot in playing eleven.
8) Harpreet Brar
Harpreet Brar had an unimaginable dream debut IPL season, where he took the wicket of Glenn Maxwell, Virat Kohli and Ab de Villiers in a single match. Hapreet Brar could be their all-round option in the line up just like previous season. He scored 84 runs in 6 innings and remained not out in all of them.
9) Rahul Chahar
The former Mumbai Indians spinner grabbed a 5.25 crores deal from PBKS. An economy under 7.5 with 43 wickets in 41 innings shows the consistency of the leg spinner. His best figures reads as 4/27 in IPL. An exemplary leg spinner for the team.
10) Kagiso Rabada
The fast bowlers were in demand throughout the auction. Thus, Punjab Kings managed to hold on to ex Delhi Capitals for 9.25. Kagiso Rabada turned uncountable matches into Delhi’s favor through his death bowling. He has taken 76 wickets in 50 IPL innings so far. With him in playing XI, Punjab Kings ticked the box of not leaking runs in death overs.
11) Arshdeep Singh
Arshdeep Singh is associated with the team since the beginning and has 30 wickets in 23 innings. He is on a high in his career and was one of the leading wicket-taker bowlers for them. The team didn’t release him into the auction and made him their 2nd retained player choice. He will be deputy to Kagiso Rabada in the bowling department.
This Punjab Kings side seems to hold an edge and looks quite promising. However, the middle order lacks the IPL experience which can fire back at the franchise in crunch moments of the game.