Punjab Kings (PBKS) is one of the franchises in Indian Premier League history that never won an IPL title even once. They came closer in the IPL 2014 when they reached the final. But lost to KKR in the final of the tournament. W Saha’s hundred in the final went in vain as KKR (Kolkata Knight Riders) chased down the target easily.
Kings XI Punjab batted first in the final and managed to score an outstanding total of 199 on the board. Credit to W Saha and M Vohra. The former played a knock of 115 in 55 balls with 10 fours and 8 sixes. And the latter scored 67 off 52 balls at the top with 6 fours and 2 sixes.
In reply, KKR chased down the target with 3 balls and 3 wickets left. M Pandey’s outstanding effort in the 2nd inning got KKR their 2nd title. He scored 94 off 50 balls with 7 fours and 6 sixes. Y Pathan also played a handy knock of 36 off 22 balls with 4 sixes.
Punjab Kings (PBKS) IPL 2023 squad-
Shikhar Dhawan, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, M Shahrukh Khan, Atharva Taide, Harpreet Singh Bhatia, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Raj Bawa, Rishi Dhawan, Liam Livingstone, Sam Curran, Sikandar Raza, Shivam Singh, Mohit Rathee, Arshdeep Singh, Baltej Singh, Rahul Chahar, Nathan Ellis, Harpreet Brar, Kagiso Rabada, Vidhwath Kaverappa
Today, we will do a SWOT analysis of the Punjab Kings team and see what will be the probable playing XI. Let’s see one of one all the things in detail.
SWOT analysis of Punjab Kings in IPL 2023:-
Strength
Punjab Kings have a very strong top order with the likes of Jonny Bairstow, Shikhar Dhawan, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, etc. All the batters are one of the best T20 batters in world cricket and can win games on their own on a given day.
Also, PBKS has very strong all-rounders in Sikandar Raza, Liam Livingstone, and Sam Curran. The two Englishmen are most likely to feature in the starting XI and both are beasts in their own department.
Liam Livingstone is one of the best hard hitters of the cricket ball in the white ball and Sam Curran is in the best form with both bat and ball; especially with the ball. He becomes the most expensive player in IPL history. In the IPL 2023 mini-auction, PBKS bought him for a whopping 18.25 crore.
In the bowling department, they have Sam Curran and KG Rabada who can choke the batters in the death overs. Other than these two, they have some local bowlers like Arshdeep Singh, Harpreet Brar, and Rahul Chahar who are genuine wicket-takers in the team.
So these are some of the strengths of Punjab Kings in the IPL 2023.
Weakness
Now let’s talk about weaknesses. One of the weaknesses of PBKS is its middle order. They have some of the hard hitters in Liam Livingstone and Sam Curran in the middle and lower middle order, but they both are not so great with the bat of late. Punjab Kings need the flourish, in the end, to get momentum in the end. For that, they need someone from these two to fire. If they won’t do well, PBKS might be in trouble finishing well and posting a big total on the board.
Opportunity
It is the opportunity for the Punjab Kings (PBKS) franchise to break the jinx and won their first-ever IPL title in the IPL 2023. Now is the time for them to show who they are. They have a very good team with all the basics covered.
PBKS came closer in the IPL 2014 but fell short against KKR in the final of the tournament. Captain S Dhawan will have to make this opportunity count.
Threat
The only threat we can look at is their past experiences. They had a very bad past in terms of their performances.
Sometimes, they started off really well in the tournament but didn’t peak at the right time when the business end of the tournament comes.
They need to forget their past performances and focus on the current scenario and the IPL 2023. PBKS has a very strong squad with a very good leader in Shikhar Dhawan.
PBKS Probable Playing XI:-
Jonny Bairstow (wk), Shikhar Dhawan (c), Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Liam Livingstone, M. Shahrukh Khan, Sam Curran, Kagiso Rabada, Arshdeep Singh, Rahul Chahar, Harpreet Brar
Let’s see how this team does in the IPL 2023. What do you think? Will Punjab Kings go for the kill this time or will there be another disappointing season for them? Comment your opinion below.
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