Since the inception of the Indian Premier League in 2008, Punjab Kings (PBKS) have been one of the most popular teams in the tournament. Despite having a loyal fan base, the franchise has failed to clinch a title in the tournament’s history. They have had several T20 superstars on their roster over the years, but the team’s inconsistent core has prevented them from achieving their ultimate goal.
In this article, we will focus on the three great players who failed to live up to expectations while representing PBKS.
1) Glenn Maxwell
Glenn Maxwell’s explosive batting skills have made him one of the most sought-after players in T20 cricket. With 8451 runs to his name in this format, he has maintained an impressive average of 28 and a staggering strike rate of 151. This is why he has been a high-value player in the IPL auctions year after year.
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Glenn Maxwell first donned the PBKS jersey in 2014 and went on to play 65 matches for the team. During this time, he scored a total of 1294 runs with a mind-boggling strike rate of 159 and also took 13 wickets with an economy rate of 8.61.
However, apart from his stellar performances in 2014 and 2017, he failed to make any significant impact in the other three seasons – 2015, 2016, and 2020. This resulted in the team releasing him after he could only muster a meager 100 runs in the 2020 edition of the tournament.
2) Nicholas Pooran
Nicholas Pooran is a force to be reckoned with in T20 cricket. With a stunning record of 4977 runs in 236 innings, including an average of 25 and a strike rate of 141, it’s no wonder that he’s considered one of the most destructive batters in the world. Pooran is particularly effective against spin bowling during the middle overs phase, making him a valuable asset to any team.
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However, despite his impressive reputation, Pooran’s IPL career has been somewhat inconsistent. During his 33 matches with the Punjab Kings (PBKS), he scored 606 runs at an average of 22 and a strike rate of 155. While these numbers aren’t terrible, Pooran has only had one standout season with the franchise, which was in 2020.
Unfortunately, the 2021 edition of the IPL proved to be a disaster for Pooran. He had one of the worst individual season performances by a batter in IPL history, scoring only 85 runs in 11 innings and collecting four ducks. Nevertheless, Pooran’s undoubted talent means that he is still a hot prospect for any T20 franchise looking to add some firepower to their batting line-up.
3) Marcus Stoinis
Marcus Stoinis, the Australian all-rounder, has established himself as one of the most dependable T20 finishers in recent times. With a wealth of experience in the format, the 33-year-old has showcased his all-round capabilities with both bat and ball.
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In his T20 career spanning 219 matches, Stoinis has amassed an impressive 4500 runs at a strike rate of 137 and also claimed 96 wickets at an economy rate of 9.03.
Stoinis first made his IPL debut with Punjab Kings (then known as Kings XI Punjab) way back in 2016. He played 19 matches across three seasons and proved to be a valuable asset for the team, scoring 262 runs at an average of 24 and a strike rate of 126. With the ball, he took 13 wickets at an economy rate of 9.53 runs per over, showcasing his all-round skills.