The Punjab Kings (PBKS) had arguably one of the most explosive batting lineups this season. Their intention at the auction was quite clear. They wanted to go all out when it came to the batting department. PBKS packed its side with batting might. They had batters who could go berserk from ball one. It felt as if they had the team to go all the way this season. Here in this article, we talk about Players PBKS Might Release Before IPL 2023.
What went right for PBKS in IPL 2022?
PBKS’ biggest investment in Liam Livingstone paid off handsomely. The price tag of INR 11.5 crores didn’t play on the mind of Livingstone. He struck 437 runs at a strike rate of 182.08. Kagiso Rabada got back to wicket-taking ways with PBKS. Jitesh Sharma was the biggest surprise for PBKS. His clean ball striking will serve PBKS better in the coming future.
What hurts PBKS the most in IPL 2022?
The form of their captain hurt PBKS big time. Few of their big-ticket signings disappointed big time. PBKS had to drop off a few star players from the XI. It was one area that cost PBKS a potential playoff spot
We look at 3 Players PBKS Might Release Before IPL 2023:
#3 Prabhsimran Singh
The Punjab Kings to their credit have given a long rope to Prabhsimran Singh. But in all fairness, Singh has failed to deliver. He has played a total of 6 IPL games across 4 seasons. Singh has scored 64 runs in 6 games at an average of 10.67. His strike rate of 96.97 is abysmal too. Being a top-order batsman, Singh will hardly find a place in a team filled with stars. PBKS will look to release him ahead of the auctions next season.
#2 Odean Smith
There was a lot of hype surrounding Odean Smith. He had a fantastic series against India before the mega auctions. Hence it came as no surprise that Smith fetched big numbers in the auction. He played a starring role in Punjab’s first win this season. Smith smashed Mohammad Siraj for 25 runs in a tense run-chase.
It was expected that Smith’s career would catapult to the next level. But Smith did little of note in the following games. He did pick a four-wicket haul against Mumbai. But it was too little too late. PBKS will be forced to let go of Smith ahead of the auctions next season. They might be keen to buy him back for a lesser price in the auctions.
#1 Shahrukh Khan
He was the hottest property in the domestic circuit heading into the mega auctions. Shahrukh Khan was coming off some sensational form in the domestic tournaments. The hard-hitting batting allrounder created a stir in the mega auctions. PBKS picked him for INR 9 crores in the auction expecting him to play the role of a finisher.
But he had a dismal tournament, to say the least. Khan scored a paltry 117 runs in 8 games at a lowly strike rate of 108.33. PBKS were forced to drop Khan from their playing XI. But above all what would have disappointed them most is the fact that Khan appeared to give an impression of being disinterested. PBKS in all likelihood will release him ahead of the next season.
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