Punjab Kings (PBKS) are approaching IPL 2025 with a different mindset and have started well, winning 3 out of their 4 matches and gaining 6 points. Many experts and cricket pundits believe that the Punjab Kings have the potential to make it to the IPL finals. Not just captain Shreyas Iyer, but uncapped players like Shashank Singh, Priyansh Arya, and Prabhsimran Singh are stepping up for the team and delivering magical performances that are crucial for their wins. Bowlers like Vijaykumar Vyshak have also contributed significantly, especially in the win against Gujarat Titans in the first match.
However, amidst the discussion about all the players, there is Australian all-rounder Marcus Stoinis, who has been a flop with both bat and ball, giving Punjab Kings woes during the middle overs.
Marcus Stoinis with the Bat
Marcus Stoinis has been struggling with the bat in the four matches he has played. He has batted in 3 innings and scored only 25 runs, with his highest score of 20 runs in 15 balls coming against Gujarat Titans. In other matches, he scored 11 against Rajasthan Royals and 4 against CSK. There hasn’t been any instance of him not being out or finishing the match. When he scored 20 runs, he batted at number 6, while at number 4 against CSK and RR, he faltered badly.
No wickets with the Ball
Much like his underwhelming performance with the bat, Stoinis has faltered with the ball as well, failing to pick any wickets in 4 matches. Against Rajasthan Royals, he was particularly costly, giving away 48 runs in 4 overs with an economy of 12. Against Gujarat Titans, he bowled 2 overs and conceded 31 runs with an economy of 15.50.
Marcus Stoinis in IPL 2025
| Match | Bat | Bowl | Date | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PBKS vs CSK | 4 | 0/10 | 08-Apr-2025 | Mullanpur |
| PBKS vs RR | 1 | 0/48 | 05-Apr-2025 | Mullanpur |
| PBKS vs LSG | — | 0/15 | 01-Apr-2025 | Lucknow |
| PBKS vs GT | 20 | 0/31 | 25-Mar-2025 | Ahmedabad |
Azmatullah Omarzai deserves a chance?
Marcus Stoinis is one of the game’s brilliant players, but he is currently not in form. He cannot perform effectively at number four, a position that requires stability and someone to anchor the innings. Instead, he keeps getting out cheaply without scoring crucial runs.
Punjab Kings could consider giving a chance to Azmatullah Omarzai, who played only in the first match against Gujarat Titans where he scored 16 runs and gave away 29 runs without taking any wickets. He should be given 2 to 3 matches to prove himself. Last year, he played for Gujarat Titans in the IPL and was decent, taking 4 wickets in 7 matches with an economy of 8.85 and scoring 42 runs in 4 innings. He might not yet have the stature of a player like Marcus Stoinis, but he is a young player with the potential to improve and bring out the best in himself.
