Punjab Kings finds themselves among the three IPL teams yet to clinch the Indian Premier League title after 16 seasons. Despite making the playoffs only twice in IPL history, their journey to the 2014 final ended in disappointment against Kolkata Knight Riders, losing by a narrow margin of 3 wickets.
Last season’s IPL proved challenging for Punjab Kings, finishing in eighth place with a mere 12 points. However, ahead of IPL 2024, Punjab have made strategic squad selections and investments, signalling a potential turnaround.
Punjab Kings’ key concerns ahead of IPL 2024:
Lack of performance from overseas players:
Unlike teams such as Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers, Punjab Kings do not grapple with significant injury concerns. However, they face pressing issues, notably inconsistent overseas performances.
Players like Sam Curran, Johnny Bairstow, and Liam Livingston showed erratic form last season, posing a threat to Punjab Kings’ aspirations.
Absence of middle-order batsman
Furthermore, there’s a glaring need for an experienced Indian middle-order batsman. While Captain Shikhar Dhawan provides stability at the top, the middle order lacks experienced Indian talent.
Atharva Taide showed promise but lacks the requisite experience, while Jitesh Sharma’s role as a pinch hitter may not offer the needed stability during crucial middle overs. Addressing these concerns will be pivotal for Punjab quest for IPL glory in 2024.
