If there is one team in the TATA IPL 2023, that has effectively failed to crack the code of the TATA IPL, it is the Punjab Kings. The team has been struggling season after season. They have spent a lot of money over the years but have still managed to disappoint their fans. Their most successful season was in 2014, when they ended as runners-up. But it was the Maxwell and Miller show that helped them that year. Here is a look at what the team looks like in the TATA IPL 2023. What are the chances, and how does it shape up?
Strengths of the Punjab Kings in TATA IPL 2023:
Top-heavy batting and the pacers are their big strength. The Punjab Kings have 3 of the best death bowlers. Arshdeep may not be in rock-solid form, but in the IPL, he has always been an asset. He was the death-over specialist for the Punjab Kings in the TATA IPL 2021 and TATA IPL 2022. Sam Curran, Kagiso Rabada, and Arshdeep Singh! The pace bowling combination doesn’t get any better. The top-heavy batting is another plus point. They have the experience of Shikhar Dhawan and the explosiveness of Jonny Bairstow as well.
Weakness of the Punjab Kings in TATA IPL 2023:
The weakness is evident in the middle order. They should have picked at least one more established batter. Even if Steve Smith would be in the auction, he would have been a good choice. Michael Bracewell and Dasun Shanaka are two more names that come to mind. They are relying on Bhanuka to get the job done, but he looks a little under-confident at times. Jitesh Sharma and RIshi Dhawan are their possible finishers but both of them are domestic players. They should have tried for one established middle-order batter like Rassie Van Der Dussen.
Opportunities for the Punjab Kings:
There is a big opportunity for Jitesh Sharma to make a strong case in the absence of Rishabh Pant. When Rishabh comes back, he is going to be the star of the show for the Indian cricket team, but in his absence, Jitesh can shine brighter than ever. The other opportunity is for Shikhar Dhawan to make an ODI team comeback after a dominant IPL season. But we have seen Dhawan score 600+ runs in an IPL almost every year. It rarely happens that Shikhar has an off-season and is out of the leaderboards.
Threats for the Punjab Kings:
The threat for the Punjab Kings is the availability of the players. The team relies on the top English players. Bairstow, Livingstone, and Sam Curran. If any one of them is asked to be rested by the ECB for the Ashes, the Punjab Kings will be bound to follow the order. But after investing so much, the management at least expects the player to play all the crucial 14 games. The other threat is the form of Rahul Chahar. Rahul Chahar looked relatively off-color last season. It seemed as if the batters could read him. But if that is the case, the mystery of Rahul’s magic has been decoded.
The Squad of the Punjab Kings:
Jonny Bairstow (ENG), Prabhsimran Singh, Jitesh Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Bhanuka Rajapaksa (SL), M. Shahrukh Khan, Atharva Taide, Harpreet Bhatia, Raj Bawa, Rishi Dhawan, Liam Livingstone (ENG), Sam Curran (ENG), Sikandar Raza (ZIM), Shivam Singh, Mohit Rathee, Arshdeep Singh, Baltej Singh, Rahul Chahar, Nathan Ellis (AUS), Harpreet Brar, Kagiso Rabada (SA), Vidwath Kaverappa.
Expected Playing XI:
Jonny Bairstow, Shikhar Dhawan(C), Prabhsimarn Singh, Liam Livingstone, Shahrukh Khan, Jitesh Sharma(WK), Sam Curran, Harpreet Brar, Rahul Chahar, Kagiso Rabada, Arshdeep Singh.
Schedule of the Punjab Kings in TATA IPL 2023:
The schedule for the TATA IPL 2023 is yet to be announced so, the schedule of the Punjab Kings is yet to be formed. But the tournament is expected to start on the 20th of March.
Predictions for the Punjab Kings in TATA IPL 2023:
The Punjab Kings will make it to the top 5. They will finish at number 5. The team has struggled to win crucial games and the same trend will be carried on this season. But their captain Shikhar Dhawan will have a splendid season with the bat. He will be their highest run scorer. Their highest wicket-taker could be Sam Curran.
X-Factor Players for the Punjab Kings in TATA IPL 2023:
The X-Factor players for them are Jitesh Sharma and Sam Curran. Both these blokes are expected to play all 14 games. They will form the lower-middle order of the Punjab Kings. The finishing roles will be given to these guys. Jitesh is not a proven match-winner but he gave an effective sample size last season. Sam on the other hand is a proven match-winner. So, it will be great to see if these players come out with flying colors.
To know more go to TATA IPL 2023: Gujarat Titans Best SWOT Analysis, Schedule, Preview, Predictions, Squads, Playing XI.
Read more such articles at TATA IPL 2023: Chennai Super Kings Best SWOT Analysis, Schedule, Preview, Predictions, Squads, Playing XI.
To know more go to the official website of the Punjab Kings.