IPL 2022: A Complete Breakdown Of Punjab Kings' Squad

Analysis of Punjab Kings(PBKS) Squad for IPL 2022.

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The Punjab Kings squad looks refreshed and recharged after some quiet seasons in the upcoming IPL 2022. PBKS stole the IPL Auction with some terrific buys last week. 

The Auction process for Punjab began with a complete revamp as they only retained two players - Mayank Agarwal(14cr) and Arshdeep Singh(4cr) - and entered the two-day mega event with a pure of 72 crores. 

At the end of the Auction, the Kings still had 3.45 crores left despite buying 25 players. PBKS bought 14 uncapped players - 13 plus 1 retained - for 23.25 crores while paid 63.3 crores for 11 capped players including one retained. Punjab spent 32.4 crores on seven players who were part of the squad in IPL 2021. 

PBKS's most expensive player was Liam Livingstone for 11.5 crores and the next expensive was Kagiso Rabada for 2.25 crores. Punjab got back uncapped Shahrukh Khan for 9 crores. 

Energetic Squad 

Punjab's top four is one of the most destructive in this season - Shikhar Dhawan, Mayank Agarwal, Jonny Bairstow, and Liam Livingstone. They have got everything in these four that is required in a T20 team. 

The finishing is also looking strong with Shahrukh Khan, Odean Smith, and Harpreet Brar at the backend followed by Kagiso Rabada, who also can smash the ball out of the park. The only vacant batting spot is the number five where PBKS will have to depend on either Raj Bawa or Rishi Dhawan - two pace bowling allrounders. 

Another interesting thing that PBKS now has is the bowling depth. Punjab has plenty of bowling options to choose from in the playing XI starting from Rabada, Arshdeep, and Rahul Chahar. 

Harpreet Brar had a terrific last season and will be backed this time as well while Odean Smith is an upcoming West Indian star with some incredible power and bowl control. Odean's backup is Englishman Benny Howell, who is a domestic T20 legend. 

Liam Livingstone is a great buy who adds value in all departments plus his ability to provide both leg-spin and off-spin is a terrific skill to utilise. Shahrukh Khan and the number five (either Raj Bawa or Rishi Dhawan) will also add value to all departments. 

However, when we finish looking at the potential playing XI, the excitement stops looking at the PBKS squad. There are several backups for several roles and spots but untested and inexperienced. 

Most of the players are still in the developing stage and will have to fit in a role that someone already is an expert in. In a long season, there will be times when PBKS will have to use these backups, and that is when the test will start. 

But it doesn't take away from the fact that Punjab Kings is looking a lot more refreshed than the previous season and this could be a season to remember for the Kings. 

Punjab Kings IPL 2022 Squad: Shikhar Dhawan, Mayank Agarwal, Jonny Bairstow, Liam Livingstone, Raj Angad Bawa, Shah Rukh Khan, Odean Smith, Harpreet Brar, Rahul Chahar, Kagiso Rabada, Arshdeep Singh, Prabhsimran Singh, Jitesh Sharma, Ishan Porel, Sandeep Sharma, Rishi Dhawan, Prerak Mankad, Vaibhav Arora, Wrirrick Chatterjee, Bhaltej Dhanda, Ansh Patel, Nathan Ellis, Atharva Taide, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Benny Howell