PBKS PREVIEW
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Possible Starting XI
All numbers are for T20s since 2020 unless mentioned otherwise
What works for PBKS?
• Mayank Agarwal and Shikhar Dhawan form one of the most ideal opening combinations. Being right and left, and given Mayank’s ultra-aggressive intent against spin (strike rate of 180 off the first 10 balls, zero dismissals) they will not be vulnerable to match ups. Dhawan’s rise as a T20 batter has been phenomenal in the last two years and does the job of holding one end up while hitting timely boundaries well.
• In Jonny Bairstow, Liam Livingstone and Shahrukh Khan, Punjab have as dominant a four, five, six as any other team in the tournament. All of them are phenomenal at hitting the pacers which make them ideal for the fag end. Shahrukh’s strike rate of 180.97 against pace since 2021 is the fourth-best among all batters with 200+ balls in this period (best being Andre Russell at 187.2).
• The above three are quite good against most spin types as well. Shahrukh struggle against leg-spin (four dismissals for nine runs) is the only standout weakness. This will make it challenging for the opposition to find a one size fits all approach.
• All-rounders was the biggest gap in Punjab’s side in the last few years. They have done well to overcome this. In Benny Howell and Odean Smith, Punjab have two proven pace-bowling all-rounders to choose from. Rishi Dhawan and Raj Bawa are the Indian options for the same category.
• They have the most all-rounder of all all-rounders in Livingstone. He can bat as an opener, as a finisher, can bowl off-spin and leg-spin. Harpreet Brar gives them a left-hander option to play with.
• Brar, Rahul Chahar and Livingstone will provide them all kinds of spin options to play around with. It is a luxury.
• Arshdeep Singh’s stocks rose last year. His lengths, movement he can generate and the variations make him a pacer capable of bowling in all phases. Being a left-armer adds to his utility. Sandeep Sharma is a handy new-ball bowler who can be deployed to make room for overseas batters/all-rounders.
• Though Kagiso Rabada had a rough last season, he is still skilful enough to solve the death bowling woes for Punjab. Nathan Ellis had a good short stint last year and can come in if extra help in the department is needed.
Where PBKS might struggle?
• Shikhar Dhawan is the only left-hander in the top-six of their first XI. If he gets out early, teams might be able to counter the monotonicity with ease.
• No player of proven pedigree to take the number three spot. They might have to promote Bairstow to take the spot and bleed in Raj Bawa at number four to break the string of right-handers.
• Which brings us to Bairstow. Given he is now essential part of England’s Test side, he might miss the start and the end of the tournament due to his commitment with England. His absence creates two gaps.
• Bairstow’s back-up as an overseas batter is the Sri Lankan Bhanuka Rajapaksa who being a leftie provides variety but is susceptible to over-aggression. Back-up keepers are unproven Jitesh Sharma and Prabhsimran Singh (both righties). To his credit, Sharma has a strike-rate of 150+ against both pace and spin
• The only bowler in their first XI to counter lefties is Livingstone who is not a regular bowler. The opposition with left-handed options will look to target Punjab on this front
• There is unlikely to be a new-ball specialist in Punjab’s first XI. This will make it difficult for them if the opposition identifies this and go hard upfront.
