IPL 2021: KL Rahul and Chris Gayle can dominate any bowling assault.© BCCI
Having modified their title forward of the season, Punjab Kings (PBKS) could be hoping that it brings a few change of their fortunes as properly, as they give the impression of being to shrug off the disappointments from final season and begin afresh once they meet Rajasthan Royals (RR) of their IPL 2021 opening match in Mumbai on Monday. Punjab Kings, regardless of preventing arduous for a lot of the final season, misplaced a number of matches by shut margins within the first half of the match and it got here to hang-out them badly as they didn’t make it to the knockout stage, regardless of profitable most of their matches in the direction of the enterprise finish.
The franchise let go of some large names and likewise changed a couple of gamers with some big-ticket signings forward of the season. They splashed a whopping Rs 14 crore for Australia quick bowler Jhye Richardson and likewise spent Rs 8 crore for the providers of a comparatively inexperienced participant like Riley Meredith.
Listed here are the Punjab Kings (PBKS) gamers to be careful for:
KL Rahul
KL Rahul was one of many standout performers for the Punjab-based franchise within the final version. He scored 670 runs at a mean of 55.83 and gained the Orange Cap. Since becoming a member of Punjab three years again, KL Rahul’s IPL profession has sky-rocketed to a complete new stage, with him scoring in extra of 500 runs in every of the final three editions. Rahul additionally holds the report for highest particular person rating by an Indian batsman within the IPL when he smashed 132 not out towards Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) final yr. No matter his aspect’s efficiency, one factor that is sure is that when KL Rahul scores runs he wins video games single-handedly.
Jhye Richardson
The Australia quick bowler was one of many costliest picks on the mini-auction and is anticipated to get an prolonged run to dwell as much as his price ticket. But to make his IPL debut, Richardson has picked up 82 wickets from 67 matches within the home T20 matches. He additionally has a good economic system of lower than eight runs an over and the factor that stands out is his strike fee of 17.70, that means he picks up a wicket practically each three overs. Richardson was probably the most profitable bowler on the BBL 2021, choosing 29 wickets from 17 matches and if he carries on the identical type, Punjab Kings will probably be a tricky group to beat this season.
Promoted
Chris Gayle
It was no coincidence that Punjab’s profitable streak final season coincided with Chris Gayle‘s inclusion within the enjoying XI. After warming the bench through the first half of the season, Gayle proved his value as soon as once more regardless of batting at an uncommon quantity three place. In simply seven matches, the West Indies batsman scored 288 runs at a powerful common of 41.14. With 4,772 runs from 132 matches, Gayle is the third most profitable abroad batsman within the match’s historical past, behind David Warner and AB de Villiers. Furthermore, he’s the one participant on this planet to hit over 1000 sixes within the shortest format, which speaks volumes of the hazard he possesses with the bat.
