Xtra Time Web Desk: Punjab Kings (formerly known as Kings XI Punjab) were one of the most impressive teams of IPL 2020 in UAE. The team led by KL Rahul and coached by Anil Kumble displayed an entertaining brand of cricket throughout the last season. Despite starting the IPL 2020 season well, they lost their way towards the business end failing to make it to the playoffs after showing so much promise. Preity Zinta owned franchise has changed its name and jersey, hoping for a turnaround in fortune. The team owners went into the IPL 2021 auction with the biggest purse. The franchise roped in the best T20 batsman Dawid Malan along with Aussie pacer duo Jhye Richardson and Riley Meredith. Here is a complete SWOT Analysis of the Punjab Kings squad for IPL 2021.
Strengths:
The real strength of Punjab Kings is their top order with plenty of options available. KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal had a great IPL season in UAE last year and both would like to replicate their form this season as well. With Chris Gayle, Dawid Malan and Nicholas Pooran, there is enough firepower at the top. It will be interesting to see who among the three gets an opportunity in the playing XI.
Weakness:
If the top order batting is the strength of Punjab Kings, then bowling is definitely their weakness. Mohammed Shami will once again spearhead the Punjab bowling but the biggest concern is he will be playing competitive cricket since returning from Australia. Shami was injured during the first test against Australia at Adelaide and had to return back to India. Since then he have not played any competitive cricket, missing the entire series against England at home. Both Jhye Richardson and Riley Meredith are yet to make their respective IPL debuts. Even Fabian Allen warmed the benches at the Sunrisers Hyderabad camp last year. Meanwhile, Moises Henriques’ injury concerns might limit his overs for the Punjab Kings in IPL 2021. The spin bowling department also looks very inexperienced with Ravi Bishnoi and Murugan Ashwin. Thus, the inexperience in their bowling attack could prove to be the biggest weakness for Punjab Kings.
Opportunities:
Indian Premier League has always been a perfect platform for the promising youngsters to showcase their talent. Ravi Bishnoi was the find of the season for Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings). It goes to be seen if he can produce an even better performance than last season. Like Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh will also have a chance of replicating his IPL 2020 performance. Singh had taken nine wickets for Punjab in eight matches last year. He is a left-arm fast bowler, which means he will have a unique angle to trouble the batsmen.
Threats:
Punjab Kings will be wary of the fact that they could not field their best playing XIs in multiple games due to injuries. Mohammed Shami suffered an injury during India’s pink-ball Test match against Australia. It will be interesting to see how he performs for the Punjab Kings after his recovery. Moises Henriques has had injury issues regularly in his career. Jhye Richardson had missed the 2019 World Cup due to an injury. So, the injury concerns remain the most significant threat to the Punjab Kings’ IPL 2021 campaign.
Key players:
KL Rahul, Chris Gayle, Dawid Malan, Mohammed Shami and Nicholas Pooran
Full squad of Punjab Kings for IPL 2021:
KL Rahul, Chris Gayle, Mayank Agarwal, Mandeep Singh, Nicholas Pooran, Ishan Porel, Sarfaraz Khan, Murugan Ashwin, Deepak Hooda, Mohammed Shami, Chris Jordan, Ravi Bishnoi, Harpreet Brar, Prabhsimran Singh, Darshan Nalkande, Arshdeep Singh, Dawid Malan, Jhye Richardson, Shahrukh Khan, Riley Meredith, Moises Henriques, Jalaj Saxena, Utkarsh Singh, Fabian Allen, Saurabh Kumar
