Are the Kings ready to ready to be crowned for the first time?
PBKS Auction Table (Source: Twitter)
The Punjab Kings (PBKS) have been the most underperforming team in the tournament. They are yet to win the tournament. Even though they go in hard during the auctions and pick up their desired players, yet they fail to deliver upto expectations.
This year also they have picked up the highest priced player in the auction. Sam Curran at a price of INR 18.50 Cr has been a breaking news during the auctions. But, will it only be a publicity stunt like every time, did they really need Curran? And have they filled the right holes during the auction?
PBKS Squad before the auction
Shikhar Dhawan (capt), Shahrukh Khan, Jonny Bairstow, Prabhsimran Singh, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Jitesh Sharma, Raj Bawa, Rishi Dhawan, Liam Livingstone, Atharva Taide, Arshdeep Singh, Baltej Singh, Nathan Ellis, Kagiso Rabada, Rahul Chahar, Harpreet Brar
What PBKS needed?
Looking at the PBKS squad prior to the auction, their prime need was a pace bowling all-rounder. Besides these, they needed a back up opener preferably Indian. And also Indian pacer at least one.
Did they get what they needed?
IPL auction's highest buy, Sam Curran ( INR 18.5 Cr)
It might look like a flashy move from PBKS. But they needed a pace bowling all-rounder and they were clear about whom they wanted. The aggressive bidding by the franchise made their intentions clear and they picked up Sam Curran, for a heavy price though, but probably a well planned move from their part.
Sikandar Raza (INR 50 Lakhs), Was he really required?
The Zimbabwean star had a great T20 World Cup 2022 and there was a hype around him getting a team in this year's auction. It is good that Punjab picked him up at a low price, but where will they fit in.
Raza is a middle-order batter and Punjab already have plenty of options there. Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma and Prabhsimran Singh. Yes, one can say that he is a replacement of Liam Livingstone, but it was probably a luxury they could have done without. In Raza's place they could have taken an experienced Indian pacer or an opener.
Back up buys
Harpreet Bhatia - Lower Middle order power hitter
Vidwath Kaverappa - Back up Indian pacer
Mohit Rathee - Lower Middle order power hitter
Shivam Singh - Back up spinner for Rahul Chahar
Auction Rating: 6.5/10
Probable XI at the start of the season
- Shikhar Dhawan
- Jonny Bairstow ✈️
- Prabhsimran Singh
- Liam Livingstone ✈️
- Shahrukh Khan
- Jitesh Sharma
- Sam Curran ✈️
- Rahul Chahar
- Kagiso Rabada ✈️
- Arshdeep Singh
- Vidwath Kaverappa
Also Read: How did Chennai Super Kings fare in the IPL 2023 auction?
 "Probuddha Bhattacharjee")
