IPL 2024 | RCB Star To Join Punjab Kings? Here's Punjab Kings' Pre-Auction Analysis

image-lq1td316Punjab Kings players in IPL 2023 (X.com)

Punjab Kings formerly known as the Kings XI Punjab have been one of the perennial underachievers in IPL history. They started the tournament back in 2008 with an impressive performance, making it to the semis. However since then, apart from the 2014 season when they made it to the final, they have been consistently underperforming.

These performances have meant that there has not been a stable core for Punjab Kings over the years, and chopping and changing their arsenal has been their favourite pastime. They have tried everything in the last 15 years or so, but apart from some flashes of brilliance, there has been little done by the team to make any Punjabi or Punjab Kings follower proud of.

However, there is a silver lining to this underwhelming story ahead of the IPL 2024 auction. For the first time in 16 years, Punjab Kings are going into an IPL auction looking like a settled lot, and have released just seven players this time and have managed to retain the core which delivered decently in 2023 IPL.

So, with new avenues to conquer and a renewed hope in their minds, Punjab Kings with 29.1 crore in their kitty would be eyeing the auction on 19th of December as an opportunity to fill their gaps and reach that elusive IPL glory this time around.

Let's now dive deeper into the Punjab Kings arsenal and how they can further strengthen their squad in the upcoming IPL Auction.

Punjab Kings (PBKS)  - IPL 2024 Retained Players

Shikhar Dhawan (C), Arshdeep Singh, Atharva Taide, Harpreet Brar, Harpreet Bhatia, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Jonny Bairstow (WK), Kagiso Rabada, Liam Livingstone, Nathan Ellis, Prabhsimran Singh (WK), Rahul Chahar, Rishi Dhawan, Sam Curran, Shivam Singh, Sikandar Raza, Vidwath Kaverappa

Punjab Kings (PBKS) - IPL 2024 Released Players

Baltej Dhanda, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Gurnoor Singh Brar, Matthew Short, Mohit Rathee, Raj Angad Bawa, Shahrukh Khan

Purse available: 29.1 Crore

Slots available: 8

Overseas slots available: 2

IPL 2024 - Punjab Kings (PBKS) Squad Analysis

Let's now take look at strengths and weakness of Shikhar Dhawan-led Punjab Kings unit.

Strength of PBKS for IPL 2024

Quality overseas arsenal - Punjab Kings finished eighth in the last season but they were in with a chance of a playoff berth till their last game, despite their big overseas players not delivering to their potential. They have six overseas players in their ranks currently and all of them are match-winners.

image-lq1tifw8Sam Curran will be a key player for PBKS in IPL 2024 (X.com)

Jonny Bairstow missed out in the last season but he will be back for this season along with other two English superstars, Sam Curran and Liam Livingstone. Another overseas all-rounder in this list is Sikandar Raza who has been in stellar form and provides a cushion and balance to the team management. On the bowling front, there is Kagiso Rabada, one of the best bowlers in the world while Nathan Ellis is a gun-death bowler. If they all perform to their potential, Punjab Kings can be pretty hard to stop.

Power in the batting unit - Punjab Kings notched up scores above 200 quite a few times in IPL 2023 which speaks a lot about the power in their arsenal. The English overseas players mentioned above are all power-hitter and along with the likes of domestic players like Prabhsimran Singh, Jitesh Sharma are all capable of using the long handle to good effect.

Weakness of PBKS for IPL 2024

Inexperience in the Indian contingent - In the form of Shikhar Dhawan, Punjab Kings have an experienced skipper. However, apart from Dhawan and the likes of Arshdeep Singh and Rahul Chahar, the Indian contingent look light on experience. 

In the absence of Dhawan, Prabhsimran Singh, Atharva Taide showed glimpses of their talent, but the lack of experience clearly reflected when the team was put under the pump. PBKS would be hoping that their youngsters display more maturity this time around, and deliver consistent performances.

One-dimensional batting line-up -  PBKS do have power in their unit, as mentioned earlier, but it has also made them vulnerable when the pitch is tough to bat on. Apart from Dhawan, no one really looks apt to adapt and play waiting game, which led to their downfall in the previous season.

Areas to fill for PBKS in IPL 2024 Auction

A reliable middle order batter - PBKS need a batter in the middle order who can provide stability to the batting unit full of power-hitters. The number 4 slot seems open, and they need to find a batter who can complement their big hitters at the other end with some risk free cricket.

image-lq1ufak2Sikandar Raza has been in great form (X.com)

Quality Indian bowler alongside Arshdeep Singh - PBKS need an Indian pacer or spinner who can provide depth to their bowling line-up. They do have quality in the form of Rabada, Arshdeep Singh, Sam Curran and Rahul Chahar but all of them blew hot and cold last season, and one more quality bowler can make it a complete attack.

Possible Target Players for PBKS in IPL 2024 Auction 

Harshal Patel -  The right-arm pacer played big role for RCB in the 2021 and 2022 season and though he did not deliver to his potential in the last season, he can be big asset for PBKS with his death-bowling skills and experience.

Shardul Thakur - He is another big-ticket Indian player and can add value to the PBKS unit with his all-round skills and ability to deliver under pressure.

Shivam Mavi - The Indian speedster can be pretty handy with his pace and ability to swing the new ball. He has played for India too and can be a good addition to the PBKS pace battery.

Kartik Tyagi - He is another Indian pacer who PBKS can target. He has raw pace and is a genuine wicket-taker and might deliver a breakthrough performance soon.

Manish Pandey - The Karnataka batter can be a perfect batter in the middle order for PBKS with his experience and ability to mould his game according to the game situation. He can complement the big hitters around him nicely.

Sarfaraz Khan - He has not lived up to his billing in the IPL so far, but the man has talent and can fill into that number 4 role for PBKS.

Rachin Ravindra - He is expected to earn big bucks in the upcoming auction and can be a good fit for Punjab Kings as well with his all-round skills. He will provide more depth to the PBKS unit.

Daryl Mitchell - The Kiwi can be a great addition as well with his ability to gauge conditions and accelerate according to his team needs. He can chip in with the ball as well and could be a hot pick in the auction.