A name change and a fresh look at the start of the season hasn’t helped Punjab Kings (PBKS) topple the hurdle called inconsistencies, their perennial foes.
Punjab resume IPL 2021 at the sixth spot in the points table. The Playoffs doors have not shut on them yet, but the climb remains steep for K.L. Rahul’s men.
Dawid Malan has withdrawn from the tournament, as have their big signings, Jhye Richardson and Riley Meredith. Nathan Ellis, Aiden Markram and Adil Rashid have been signed-in as replacements.
Quality has never been a problem for PBKS, who remain exciting with their brand. However, their issues are more strategic. If they click as a unit, there’s no reason why they can’t qualify for the playoffs.
PBKS squad: K.L. Rahul (c & wk), Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Nicholas Pooran (wk), Mayank Agarwal, Chris Gayle, Aiden Markram, Mandeep Singh, Sarfaraz Khan, Deepak Hooda, Murugan Ashwin, Ravi Bishnoi, Adil Rashid, Harpreet Brar, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Ishan Porel, Nathan Ellis, Darshan Nalkande, Chris Jordan, Shahrukh Khan, Moises Henriques, Jalaj Saxena, Utkarsh Singh, Fabian Allen, Saurabh Kumar
SWOT Analysis of Punjab Kings (PBKS) for IPL 2021
Strengths
PBKS’ batting line-up boasts of Rahul, Agarwal, Gayle and Pooran in the top four. Henriques experience could be used as a floater. They are also spoilt for choices among the Indian contingent in their batting department, with options in Shahrukh Khan, Deepak Hooda, Mandeep Singh and Sarfraz Khan.
Spin bowling will be an essential factor in the Gulf conditions. Rashid’s signing further strengthens the spin department that already has Ravi Bishnoi, Harpreet Brar, Fabian Allen, Murugan Ashwin and Jalaj Saxena.
All-rounders are always a bonus in T20s as they provide that six-bowler cushion to a side. In Henriques, Jordan, Saxena, Allen and Hooda, Punjab also have several all-rounder options.
Weakness
The PBKS batting looks good on paper, but it has been too reliant on Rahul, which has made the batter more conservative.
Rahul reinvented the T20 batter in him during IPL 2016. Though he remains a run-machine for Punjab, he has slipped into an anchor’s role, curbing his natural instinct. In the 2016 and 2018 editions of the IPL, he scored runs at an average above 50, striking at 154. Since 2019, he has averaged 59, but his strike rate has dropped to 133. In other words, he occupies the crease for almost seven and a half overs for 60-odd runs. Other batters need to provide more support to Rahul.
Except for Shami, there is no big name in the pace department. The non-availability of Richardson and Meredith further weakens the pace attack.
Opportunities
PBKS will look to achieve consistency and turn things around to make it to the Playoffs. They have not been there in seven years. In fact, in the past 13 editions, they have only finished in the final four twice. They will eye a Delhi Capitals-like turnaround.
Having lost his place in the national T20 XI during the England series in March, Rahul would like to use the tournament’s remainder as an opportunity to press for the opening berth for the T20 World Cup.
The lack of superstars in the line-up presents an opportunity for the younger Indian players to shine. Bishnoi, Brar, Sarfraz, Ashwin, Shahrukh, Porel and Arshdeep have provided enough glimpse of brilliance, and now it is about taking things to the next level. Players like Mandeep and Hooda may look to eye this platform for international returns.
Markram’s signing could go on to be a blessing in disguise. He has found success in T20Is of late, and his newfound success with off-spin may see him raise his stakes in the cash-rich league.
Australian pacer Ellis’ rapid rise sees him find a place in the squad. His experience and a good showing in Bangladesh may turn out to be fruitful.
Threats
Injuries and fitness issues can hamper PBKS from fielding their best XI. Gayle turns 42 next week. Shami is not the fittest around, and missed the Oval Test due to a niggle. Henriques has had issues with injury, and his return to the Australian fold has not been memorable.
In Rashid, Bishnoi and Ashwin, Punjab has enough leg-spin options. With Krishnappa Gowtham released before the season, the side lacks a genuine off-spinner who can threaten opponent left-handers in the powerplay. They will have to rely on part-timers.
Unlike successful teams like Chennai Super Kings (CSK) or Mumbai Indians (MI), PBKS do not experiment enough and stick to templates. The Anil Kumble-coached side needs to be more creative and adaptive with their strategy, shedding off their predictable and unidimensional approach. They have not used Malan enough, for example.
PBKS’ likely starting XI: K.L. Rahul (c & wk), Mayank Agarwal, Chris Gayle, Nicholas Pooran, Shahrukh Khan, Chris Jordan, Adil Rashid, Ravi Bishnoi, Harpreet Brar, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Shami
PBKS remaining fixtures
- Tuesday, 21 September: PBKS vs RR (Dubai)
- Saturday, 25 September: PBKS vs SRH (Sharjah)
- Tuesday, 28 September: PBKS vs MI (Abu Dhabi)
- Friday, 1 October: PBKS vs KKR (Dubai)
- Sunday, 3 October: PBKS vs RCB (Sharjah)
- Thursday, 7 October: PBKS vs CSK (Dubai)