Punjab Kings are in the hunt for their first IPL title. They have again made wholesale changes to their squad in the 2021 auctions. The additions of Jhye Richardson and Riley Meredith have bolstered the team. We look at the gems and duds of RR this season.
StumpsandBails brings to you whom we believe will be the Studs and Duds of PK in IPL 2021:
Studs:
#3 Deepak Hooda
Deepak Hooda finally got to play at the coveted number 4 spot. He went berserk against RR and scored a 20-ball fifty. Hooda finally came into his own and unleashed beast mode. He scored 6 sixes in his whirlwind knock. Hooda will be keen to carry forward his good form and help Punjab go the distance.
#2 Mayank Agarwal
Mayank Agarwal always puts his team ahead of himself. He provides PK with flying starts. Agarwal had a breakthrough IPL 2020. He will be eager to carry on that good form in IPL 2021 too. Kings will be dependent on Agarwal to deliver upfront and deliver bring.
#1 Nicholas Pooran
Nicholas Pooran is one of the most exciting players in the world. He struck at 170 in the IPL last year. Pooran is the playmaker for Kings in the middle overs. He will be itching to take the field this IPL and make a statement. Pooran is Kings’ biggest X-factor.
Duds:
#3 Dawid Malan
Dawid Malan is the world’s number 1 ranked T20I batsman. He found the going tough against India in the T20I series. Malan finally managed to score a half-century in the last T20I. But that proved to be too few and quite late. Malan will struggle to get a game this season. Even if he does it will be difficult for him to get into the groove straight away.
#2 Shahrukh Khan
Punjab Kings acquired Shahrukh Khan for INR 5.5 crores in the 2021 auctions. He was expected to be the finisher for Kings. Khan had already established his credentials as a finisher in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. But looking at the way he shaped up for Kings in the game against RR, it will be a tough ask for him to succeed in the IPL.
#1 Chris Jordan
Chris Jordan has been England’s go-to bowler at the death for quite some time now. He played a decent role for Kings in IPL 2020. Jordan had a forgettable T20I series against India. Kings benched him in the first game against RR. Jhye Richardson and Riley Meredith have taken up the pace mantle. It looks difficult for Jordan to make an impression this year.
