IPL 2023 – Punjab Kings Preview: Full Squad, Strength, Weakness, Schedule and more

Punjab Kings, formerly known as Kings XI Punjab, is one of the most popular teams in the Indian Premier League. Despite having a star-studded squad in every season, the team has always struggled to perform consistently. However, with some new additions to their squad ahead of IPL 2023, can they finally make a breakthrough?

Let’s take a closer look at what to expect from the team in the upcoming season: Punjab Kings in IPL 2023

History

Punjab Kings’ best performance in the IPL came in 2014 when they made it to the final but lost to Kolkata Knight Riders. In the previous season (IPL 2022), under the leadership of Shikhar Dhawan, they finished in the 6th position.

Full Squad

1. Trevor Bayliss – Head Coach
2. Arshdeep Singh – Bowler
3. Shikhar Dhawan (c) – Batsman
4. Kagiso Rabada – Bowler
5. Matthew Short – All-Rounder
6. Shahrukh Khan – All-Rounder
7. Harpreet Brar – Batsman
8. Prabhsimran Singh – Batsman/Wicket-keeper
9. Jitesh Sharma – Batsman/Wicket-keeper
10. Rahul Chahar – Bowler
11. Liam Livingstone – All-Rounder
12. Raj Bawa – Batsman
13. Rishi Dhawan – All-Rounder
14. Baltej Dhanda – All-Rounder
15. Nathan Ellis – Bowler
16. Atharva Taide – All-Rounder
17. Bhanuka Rajapaksa – Batsman
18. Sam Curran – All-Rounder
19. Sikandar Raza – All-Rounder
20. Harpreet Bhatia – Batsman
21. Vidwath Kaverappa – Bowler
22. Mohit Rathe – All-Rounder
23. Shivam Singh – All-Rounder

Here is their strongest XI:

• Jitesh Sharma (wk)
• Shikhar Dhawan (c)
• Prabhsimran Singh
• Bhanuka Rajapaksa
• Liam Livingstone
• Shahrukh Khan
• Sam CurranKa
• giso Rabada
• Arshdeep Singh
• Rahul Chahar
• Harpreet Brar.

X-Factor

Sam Curran is the most expensive purchase in IPL history, and after an outstanding performance for the England cricket team in 2022, he will be eager to replicate his form in the IPL. Captain Shikhar Dhawan is also a reliable batter in their lineup, and if he scores runs consistently, it will give momentum to the team.

Strengths

One of the main strengths of the team is their powerful hitters. Players like Liam Livingstone, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Shahrukh Khan, and Jitesh Sharma can turn the game on its head with their aggressive approach and impressive strike rates. Punjab Kings also has a good set of domestic players, such as Prabhsimran Singh and Arshdeep Singh, who can make a significant impact in the tournament.

Weaknesses

The team’s captain, Shikhar Dhawan, has been struggling with the bat and is also out of the Indian team. The team has only one quality leg-spinner in Rahul Chahar, and they need to find a suitable companion for him. Also, with Jonny Bairstow out injured, they lack experience and depth in the middle order.

Form

Punjab Kings will rely on coach Trevor Bayliss and new skipper Shikhar Dhawan to shed their underachiever tag this IPL season. Bayliss has a reputation for winning, having guided England to the 2019 ODI World Cup and KKR to titles in 2012 and 2014. Punjab Kings finished sixth in the past four seasons and reached their only final in 2014. They made Sam Curran the costliest buy in IPL history at Rs 18.50 crore and bought other players including Sikandar Raza, Harpreet Bhatia, and Vidwath Kaverappa. Matthew Short replaced the injured Jonny Bairstow.

Chance of winning

With a new captain in Shikhar Dhawan, a new coach in Trevor Bayliss, and a formidable squad that includes Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone, and Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Punjab Kings certainly have the potential to do so. However, the absence of Jonny Bairstow and a lack of depth in the middle-order could prove to be a challenge. The team’s success will depend on how well they adapt to their new leadership and fill the gaps left by injuries and unavailability.

Punjab King’s IPL 2023 Schedule

Punjab Kings has always been a team with a lot of potential, but they have failed to live up to their expectations. However, with some promising additions to their squad, they have a chance to turn things around this season. The team’s main strength lies in their powerful hitters, and their pace bowling attack also looks formidable. However, their middle-order batting and spin bowling remain concerns. It will be interesting to see if captain Shikhar Dhawan can lead the team to success in IPL 2023.

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