The Punjab Kings, formerly known as Kings XI Punjab, have had a tough run in the Indian Premier League (IPL) since its inception in 2008. Despite featuring top international talent in their squads over the years, they’ve yet to clinch the title. Their closest brush with victory came in 2014 when Wriddhiman Saha’s century nearly sealed the deal, but they ultimately fell short against the Kolkata Knight Riders. Even in the inaugural season in 2008, under the leadership of Yuvraj Singh, they made it to the semifinals but succumbed to the Chennai Super Kings.
In a bid to fortify their squad for the upcoming IPL season, Punjab Kings splurged Rs 24.95 crore in the auction, securing the services of eight new players. They made significant investments, particularly in acquiring death-over specialist Harshal Patel for Rs 11.75 crore and adding South African power hitter Rilee Rossouw for Rs 8 crore. England’s versatile all-rounder Chris Woakes also joined the roster for Rs 4.2 crore.
Despite a lacklustre performance in the previous season, winning only six out of 14 league matches and finishing eighth, captain Shikhar Dhawan is determined to steer his team to success. His return to competitive cricket after a ten-month hiatus adds further anticipation to their campaign. Dhawan, known for his explosive batting at the top, was last seen in action in the IPL.
Among the retained players, the emergence of India’s wicketkeeper-batsman Jitesh Sharma, secured for a modest Rs 20 lakh, presents a promising prospect for Punjab Kings. His impressive knock of an unbeaten 49 off 27 balls against the Mumbai Indians showcased his potential as a big-hitting asset.
However, it’s Liam Livingstone who stands out as the franchise’s key player, capable of single-handedly turning the tide in their favour. As they gear up to kick off their IPL 2024 campaign against the Delhi Capitals on March 23, 2024, both teams are eager to start on a winning note and establish a positive net run rate.
The expected playing 11 for Punjab Kings includes Shikhar Dhawan, Jonny Bairstow, Prabhsimran Singh, Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma, Sam Curran, Harpreet Brar, Harshal Patel, Kagiso Rabada, Rahul Chahar, Arshdeep Singh.
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