Who Makes It to Our All-Time IPL XI? - PBKS
If there's one team that has looked good on paper but never managed to clinch the prized Indian Premier League (IPL) trophy, it has to be the Kings XI Punjab; oops, it's Punjab Kings. While they have managed to impress their fans with their sensational performances in a few games, however, it has never come well together.
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The side will be aiming to lift their maiden title with another strong team at their disposal, as they possess an outstanding unit that could damage the opposition. Their journey in this edition will begin against Kolkata Knight Riders when they enter their home ground on the 1st of April.
With the new skipper and Indian stalwart Shikhar Dhawan as their skipper, the side will hope to do a step better than what they did in 2014 when they lost in the finals. But before the action kicks off on the field, we present to you Punjab Kings' All Time XI through the years.
Openers of PBKS All-time XI
KL Rahul (wk) and Mayank Agarwal
In the 2018-21 era for the Punjab-based franchise, two of their best-ever openers KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal played together for them. The duo was prolific at the top as they piled on runs match after match during all three seasons.
Openers of PBKS All-time XI (Source: OneCricket)
While Rahul amassed a cumulative of over 2500 runs making him the highest run-scorer in the franchise's history, Agarwal recorded just above 1500 runs during his tenure with the Kings. What's more astonishing is the fact that Rahul averaged 56.62 in 55 matches while batting at a strike rate of about 140 as he managed whopping 23 fifties and two centuries.
Middle Order of PBKS All-time XI
Shaun Marsh, Chris Gayle, George Bailey (C) & David Miller
The Aussie southpaw Shaun Marsh was the star of the team during his 10-year stay that began in 2008. He is a perfect number three player with an average of about 40 and runs just below 2,500 in as many as 71 matches. Marsh's ability to cope with pressure during crunch situations makes him undroppable from this side.
Chris Gayle played a big role in the middle-order during his time with PBKS (Source: Twitter)
Moving towards one of the giants of IPL, Chris Gayle ruled the tournament for most of his career as the top-order batter but after coming to Punjab, he was transferred to the middle order. Gayle's numbers are more than ordinary even during the twilight phase of his career where he struck nine fifties and one century while batting at a strike rate of 143. The Caribbean giant smashed over 1,300 runs in just 41 games.
Middle-order of PBKS All-time XI (Source: OneCricket)
The only season where they featured in the finals was in the year 2014, led by Australia's George Bailey, the side was unstoppable till the finals. Apart from being an astute captain, the right-hander thumped 581 runs at a strike rate of 133, usually batting at a lower spot in the order.
The left-hander from South Africa, David Miller was one of the best batters for the side during his stay with the side from 2012 to 2019. Miller has dominated despite the fact that he came at positions 6 & 7 which are considered to be the most difficult for the batters as they face fewer deliveries and are there to fulfil the role of the finisher. Moreover, his runs which are a few short of 2000 came at a strike rate of about 140 while averaging 35.
All-Rounder of PBKS All-time XI
Irfan Pathan & Axar Patel
One of the few players from India who could bowl pace and bat as a finisher, Irfan Pathan cemented his place because of multiple abilities. Although, he didn't face much deliveries, the left-hander banged 603 runs at a strike rate of 130. Further, with 47 wickets to his name in 42 matches, the Vadodara-born averages less than 25 with the ball.
All-rounders of PBKS all-time XI (Source: OneCricket)
Left-arm spinner, Axar Patel has been magnificent for India for quite some time while in the past, he was the go-to option for Punjab Kings. Scoring 740 runs with the bat at a rate of 130, Patel is the third-highest wicket-taker for the team with 69 scalps to his name. His five years with the Mohali-based side nurtured him into a proper all-rounder who is now producing wonderful results with both bat and ball in the international arena.
Bowlers of PBKS All-time XI
Piyush Chawla, Mohammed Shami & Sandeep Sharma
Someone who has been an IPL legend is the highest wicket-taker for the Punjab side in 87 matches scalping a total of 84 wickets. Chawla featured in six seasons for the franchise where he averaged 26.63 with his journey beginning in the inaugural year and ending in 2013.
Mohammed Shami was the lead pacer during his time at the PBKS (Source: Twitter)
India's threatening pacer Mohammed Shami was once a star for Punjab Kings in the IPL. His precise length and quality death bowling made him an outstanding pick for the side which he represented for three seasons in 2019. His 58 wickets have come at an average of 22.82 after playing cumulative 42 matches.
Sandeep Sharma was terrific for the side as he is second on the list of most wickets for the team during his 10 years. Sharma was wonderful with the ball as the right-armer dismissed batters 73 times in 61 games. His classy swinging deliveries made the life of the batters way more difficult, especially at the start of the game.
Punjab Kings' All-Time XI
PBKS All-time XI (Source: OneCricket)
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