With its home ground being Inderjit Singh Bindra Stadium in Mohali, Punjab Kings debut in IPL or Indian Premier League was in 2008. The best that PBKS performed in IPL was in 2014 where they were the runners up of the season. On 17 February 2021, PBKS got its name when it was changed from Kings XI Punjab to Punjab Kings. Anil Kumble is the current head coach of PBKS. The franchise before the IPL 2022 mega auction retained its star opener Mayank Agarwal and left arm medium pacer Arshdeep Singh. PBKS retained the two cricketers with INR 12 crores and INR 4 crores respectively and are now left with INR 72 crores. Ahead of the 2022 mega auction, the team management will definitely do their homework and will look forward to win the title. Here are the 11 players PBKS should target in IPL mega Auction 2022:
11 Players PBKS Should Target in IPL Mega Auction 2022
Openers: David warner and Jonny Bairstow
Holding the highest opening partnership in IPL of 185 against RCB in 2019, records speak for the two. Besides the right-handed Mayank Agarwal, with a purse of 72 Crores, PBKS would target these two aggressive overseas. Since David’s IPL debut in 2009, he has played 150 matches scoring 5449 runs at a strike rate of 139.96. He is one of the most destructive openers across formats and ranks 5th in scoring most runs in IPL. With a strike rate of 142.19, Jonny has played 28 IPL innings since 2019 scoring 1038 runs. Both the players have been the leading run scorers of SRH in 2019 and 2020. Giving the franchise a right-left ideal opening pair, both are consistent and quick run getters. Though many teams will go behind the two star players, PBKS would give a good fight too.
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Middle-orders: Shreyas Iyer, Nitish Rana and Shah Rukh Khan
PBKS has been lacking in scoring those additional runs to cross the 200+ mark due to their poor middle batting order. A steady and persistent middle order batter PBKS is going to bet in the mega auction 2022 is Shreyas Iyer. Having an IPL experience of 87 matches, Iyer has scored 2375 runs at a strike rate of 123.95. Debuted in 2015, the right-handed Iyer can play every possible shot and has 16 half centuries to his name. Another left-handed explosive batter and right-arm off-break style bowler PBKS would go for is Nitish Rana. At a strike rate of 132.45, Nitish has played 77 IPL innings scoring 1820 runs and crushing 7 wickets.Â
Releasing their 2021 pick, PBKS would look forward to get Shah Rukh back due to his quick-fire 30s and 40s. Batting lower the order with a strike rate of 134.2, Shah Rukh scored 153 in 11 IPL innings. Â
All-rounder: Moises Henriques
Another released player which PBKS would like back in their dressing room is the Australian all-rounder Moises Henriques. Though his IPL debut in 2009 and playing in various franchises, Moises got a stable batting in SRH from 2014-2017. He played a big role in SRH’s victory in the year 2016. Moises was then bought by PBKS in the year 2021 and played 10 innings for the team. In total, Moises has played 62 IPL matches scoring 1000 runs and crushing 42 wickets. The Portugal-born Australian all-rounder Moises has captained Sydney Sixers to two consecutive victories in 2019-20 and 2020-21 BBL seasons. Thus PBKS will be looking to get back the genuine all-rounder with the large sum of money they are left with.
Spinners: Krunal Pandya and Shreyas Gopal
After losing its star spinner and fielder Ravi Bishnoi to the new team Lucknow, PBKS will look for an optimal spinning pair. Thus PBKS will target the Quick left-off spinner Krunal Pandya and the Karnataka leg break bowler Shreyas Gopal. Krunal Pandya who has been performing brilliantly for the last 6 years for MI is tricky to face. He has played 84 IPL innings scoring 1143 runs and having 51 wickets to his name. He acts as a boost to the middle order, contributes in the field and has been a part of 3 IPL winning squad. Shreyas Gopal is another effective leg spinner and a batting option lower the order. Playing 48 IPL innings, Shreyas has crushed 48 wickets and scored 171 runs. PBKS will look to bid for the two experienced domestic and IPL cricketers.
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Pacers: Khaleel Ahmed, Lockie Ferguson and Mohammed Shami
Apart from PBKS star left arm medium fast Arshdeep Singh, the franchise will bid for two right arm fast bowlers and one left arm seamer. Khaleel Ahmed was bought by SRH in the 2018 IPL auction. The 24th year has never failed to prove his caliber. Playing 24 IPL matches, Khaleel took 32 wickets. When it comes to ace raw-pacer Lockie Ferguson who has crossed the 150kph mark on several IPL occasions, there isn’t a doubt of him not being targeted. The right-arm fast has played 22 matches bagging 24 wickets. The Kiwi cricketer is also competent enough to strike the ball hard in the final overs. PBKS would look to get back their right-arm consistent and disciplined bowler Mohammad Shami. Shami has been terrific with the new ball and has crushed 79 wickets in the 79 IPL matches he played.
