Punjab Kings Team Preview IPL 2021
Here we preview the team formerly known as Kings XI Punjab who have undergone a relatively radical overhaul during the IPL off-season not least of all by changing their name. Will such a ploy have the same impact that it did for Delhi who appear to be far more successful under the brand Capitals than they were Daredevils?
Beyond the rebranding, Punjab Kings were also pretty busy in the auction, trying to fill some of the more obvious gaps in a squad that that has failed to make the play-offs for 6 straight seasons. Could this be the year that they turn it around?
Generally speaking batting was the stronger suit for Punjab Kings in IPL 2020 with their top 3 in particular all having pretty decent campaigns lead by captain and Orange Cap winner KL Rahul who finished the season with 670 runs.
“Balance” and “options” are terms I’ve used with franchises who have had recent success in the IPL and who are likely to be challenging at the top of the table again this year. Unfortunately for Punjab Kings neither of these words can be used to descibe their squad for 2021 IPL.
They possess no real all-round options, with West Indies Fabien Allen hardly having the experience or record at this level to suggest he’s the man to bring about that balance. So desperate are Punjab Kings for someone to fill that role that they’ve even named Moises Henriques as an all-rounder, although I really can’t remember the last time I’ve seen him bowl.
Punjab Kings do certainly have some very good wrist spinning rescources available to them with Murugan Ashwin and 20-year-old Ravi Bisnoi in their ranks and they've bolstered their fast bowling options with the signings of Richardson and Meredith but will this be enough to get the to the playoffs?