IPL 2021: Punjab Kings (PBKS) Team Analysis – Strength, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats.
Punjab Kings (PBKS) Team Analysis: Despite felling short of the IPL 2020 playoffs, Punjab Kings (formerly Kings XI Punjab) was the most entertaining side of the previous year IPL. KL Rahul led side fought every game and utilised the last ball to get the result of the game. Punjab Kings could not start well to the season however, they recovered till well with back to back wins.
The franchise appeared in IPL 2021 auction with a new brand identity and had the biggest purse value. They ran after the players they needed and eventually got them. Jhye Richardson, Riley Meredith and Dawid Malan are their top picks.
Punjab Kings (PBKS) Team Analysis – Strength, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats
Strengths – Top Order.
Last seasons Orange Cap winner, KL Rahul will lead the side as well as the batting lineup along with Mayank Agarwal as his opening partner. Both the players had a tremendous outing last time in UAE. Mayank Agarwal certainly loved the company of his buddy KL Rahul and IPL 2020 was by far the best IPL till now for him.
Both these batsmen will be backed by Universe Boss Chris Gayle. It was seen that the side won back to back games after Gayle was brought into the playing 11. Gayle will be backed by Nicholas Pooran at number four.
The franchise also has the likes of Dawid Malan, Sarfaraz Khan, Fabian Allen and Moises Henriques. The side filled with huge T20 batsmen, they look simply unstoppable.
Weaknesses – Bowling.
The inexperienced bowling lineup will be a major concern for the Mohali based franchise. Barring Mohammad Shami, no other bowler in PBKS had a proper IPL background. Ravi Bishnoi and Murugan Ashwin had a good IPL outing last time but it is highly unlikely that the team will go with both the leg spinners.
Punjab Kings have Jhye Richardson and Riley Meredith as new recruit however both the players have no experience of Indian conditions. Fabian Allen who is now with PBKS benched the whole last season for SRH.
Arshdeep Singh is also with the side.
Someone from the new recruits will have to step up in the upcoming IPL to turn this weakness into their strength.
Opportunities – Arshdeep Singh.
The left-arm pacer has a perfect setting to step with as the support to Mohammad Shami and cement his position. He can even knock the doors of BCCI if he ables to replicate his IPL 2020 performance with shining numbers.
The pacer had nine scalps in the eight games for Punjab Kings last season. Arshdeep Singh was also used in the death overs by KL Rahul.
Threats – Injury Concern.
The injury calls of the key players will trouble the franchise. Their skipper KL Rahul had a thumb injury in the Australia tour. Mohammad Shami also sustained a thumb fracture in the pink-ball Test against Australia. It will be important for the franchise to monitor their recovery ahead of IPL.
Chris Gayle is 41 years old and it will be extremely important for PBKS to use him accordingly. Last season, Gayle had to miss a few games.
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