Punjab Kings now become Punjab kings, as they have changed the name and logo of the team. Punjab Kings doesn’t have any title, as they struggled in the IPL. The Punjab kings can turn the fortunes, as they have got a strong squad. The selection was done wisely by considering all elements and address the weak links.
They have got cover for every player if one injured then the others will catch up. They have got firepower in the batting department as well as the bowling department. The last season was terrific for Punjab kings, as they scored a lot of runs. The brilliant strikers of the ball gave Punjab kings a slight advantage over other teams.
Here is the Playing 11 for Punjab kings:-
1. KL Rahul
The Karnataka lad and captain of Punjab kings have given a phenomenal contribution since he signs the deal with Punjab Kings. He piles up runs in every season and the last season was also a year to remember for KL. The Indian cricketer provides the start to the team and continued to more overs. He never got out cheaply, as he takes time and then unleashes later on. KL Rahul is one of the dangerous openers in IPL across all the teams, as he bats for long and holds one end together.
2. Mayank Agarwal
Another Karnataka lad Agarwal was outstanding in the previous season partnering with childhood friend KL Rahul. These two had a great understanding of the game in the middle, as they both understand the individual’s game. Mayank Agarwal is a bit aggressive in approach, as KL Rahul is a bit conservative in the beginning. Agarwal looks to hit every ball for the boundary, as he is a free-flowing stroke player.
Mayank Agarwal is outstanding at the top but his numbers are not great, as he played 88 IPL games and scored 1694 runs with an average of only 21.18 at a strike rate of 134.55. He is a better player than what the stats suggest, as the impact of Agarwal is brilliant at the top.
3. Chris Gayle
Chris Gayle the pioneer of the Indian premier league doesn’t want any introduction, as he gave so much to IPL. He crosses the 41 years barrier, and still going well in terms of range hitting. The reputation of Gayle justifies the daunting numbers he possesses in IPL history.
He played 132 IPL games and scored 4772 runs with an astonishing average of 41.14 at a rapid strike rate of 150.11. Punjab Kings will bank on Gayle to unleash at number 3 position, as he bats at one of the important positions in cricket.
4. Nicholas Pooran
Nicholas Pooran, a great rising West Indian star who is renowned for blistering batting in the middle. Pooran smashes the bowler at every part of the ground in the previous season, as he has got some ferocious ability to deposit the leather out of the park. He is the man who can win you a game on his own, as he has done in the past.
In only 21 IPL games, Pooran scored 521 runs with a healthy average of 32.56 at a sparkling strike rate of 165.4. The strike rate of Pooran makes him one of the dangerous hitters of the ball at the moment in world cricket.
5. Mandeep Singh
The previous season of Mandeep Singh was a memorable one, as he scored a lot of runs in the middle overs. Despite the father’s tragedy, Mandeep Singh goes on and helps his team to win a game.
Mandeep Singh receives commendable applause in the last season, as he will carry the form in the upcoming season as well. He played 124 IPL games and scores 1659 runs with an average of 22.12 and a strike rate of 124.27. The number won’t suggest the impact of the player, as the current form of Mandeep Singh makes him the hot contender for the number five slot.
6. Moises Henriques
The great all-rounder from Australia Moises will grab the number six slot as an all-rounder. This is the crucial position in T-20 cricket, as the team banks on the finisher to cross the line. Henriques is also a captain of Syndey sixers who has achieved the title consecutive two times. He has ample experience in T-20 cricket, as he played 57 IPL games and scored 969 runs with an average of 28.5 at a strike rate of 128.17. On the other side, he also has taken 38 wickets in IPL.
Punjab kings want experience lower down the order, as he has got the experience to provide Punjab with the power of bat and ball as well.
7. Deepak Hooda
The ability to hit big at the end overs is what Hooda specializes in, as he has the great ability to close out the inning on a big note. Deepak has done well in the previous season while playing with kings 11 Punjab, now he will continue the rich form with Punjab kings as well.
The stats of Deepak Hooda is not great as he played 68 IPL games and scored 625 runs with an average of 16.89 at a strike rate of 129.4. He has some skills with the ball but manages to take only 7 wickets. The Punjab team wants all-rounders and Deepak Hooda provides a cushion to the captain with both the bat and ball.
8. Ravi Bishnoi
The young leg spinner of Punjab Kings plays a vital role for the team in the middle overs, as he has some great skills with the ball up his sleeves. He bamboozles most of the great batsman and he nurtures by the great Indian leg spinner Anil Kumble.
He played only 14 IPL games and picked up 12 wickets with an outstanding economy rate of 7.37 in T-20 cricket. Ravi Bishnoi has a great googly up his sleeves and can easily deceive the establish batsmen.
9. Arshdeep Singh
He is one of the brightest stars of Punjab kings Arshdeep Singh had a great last season with the ball. The young pacer can bowl a perfect yorker under pressure and can deceive the batsman with the change of pace as well.
Arshdeep Singh didn’t play much T-20 cricket, but he has shown some terrific skills with the ball in the previous season and looks to replicate in the coming season as well.
10. Mohammad Shami
The Stalwart of the Indian bowling lineup, Mohammad Shami is the leader of the Punjab attack. He has a great last year but failed to help his side to win the trophy. Mohammad Shami’s ability with the new ball is phenomenal, as he can dismantle the opposition in the first couple of overs.
He also has the great ability to nail yorkers at the end and can contain runs in the slog overs as well. He serves in Indian cricket for a long time and now he’ll look to repeat the game while wearing the red jersey.
11. Jhye Richardson
Jhye is one of the sparking lads in Australian cricket, as he has outrageous skill with the ball. He bags a millionaire deal in the recently concluded auction. The Australian Fast bowler has taken the most wickets in the BBL tournament, which shows the great form of western Australia.
He played 63 T-20 games and has taken 80 wickets with an average of 22.67 at a strike rate of 17.2 which means he takes a wicket after delivering 17.2 deliveries. The Punjab kings struggled with the ball in the last season but this time they have made a wise selection and look to strengthen the core of the Bowling lineup.
The Punjab kings bats till number seven and have the six bowling option cushion. The four bowlers from the bottom are good enough to deliver for the team, and the fifth bowling will be diversified between Hooda and Henriques. This year will be different for Punjab, as they have got all the basics covered.
