PBKS Playing 11 IPL 2021: Punjab Kings Predicted Playing XI for Indian Premier League 2021

PBKS Playing 11 IPL 2021: Punjab Kings spent a total of INR 34.4 crore to buy as many as nine players in IPL 2021 auction.

Indian Premier League franchise Punjab Kings (earlier Kings XI Punjab) had the maximum budget ahead of IPL 2021 auction which was held in Chennai last month.

The same was evident from how Punjab spent a total of INR 34.4 crore in the auction to buy nine players which included a couple of overseas fast bowlers, a couple of overseas all-rounders, No. 1 ranked T20I batsman and four Indian players.

Despite giving the impression of covering many bases, it wouldn’t be a mean task for Kings regarding accommodating the players they’ve bought. Having said that, captain Lokesh Rahul and director of cricket Anil Kumble would be looking to play at least one overseas all-rounder in the middle-order.

PBKS Playing 11 IPL 2021

Top-order

In what is the most easiest part for Punjab, a top-order comprising of Rahul, Mayank Agarwal and Chris Gayle needs no amendment especially after considering how well the trio batted in IPL 2020. As the tournament progresses, Punjab will have the option of playing Dawid Malan in Gayle’s place (if needed) at No. 3.

Middle-order

While hard-hitting wicket-keeper batsman Nicholas Pooran is another surety in their Playing XI, Kings need a replacement for Australia all-rounder Glenn Maxwell. Given how poorly Maxwell had fared last season, replacing him shouldn’t be a concern for the team management.

In Moises Henriques and Fabian Allen, Punjab have a couple of options to choose from for the position of an overseas all-rounder. While Henriques is a tried and tested campaigner, Kings might look to start with Allen for the X-factor he offers in this format.

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While Shahrukh Khan should be given one out the remaining two spots for the Indian batsmen, they have enough options for the second one. That being said, Deepak Hooda might pin down the likes of Mandeep Singh, Prabhsimran Singh and Sarfaraz Khan due to his skills as an off-spinner.

Bowlers

Much like the last season, the trio of Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh and Ravi Bishnoi should retain their respective places in the Playing XI. As far as the overseas fast bowler is concerned, Kings can pick one out of Chris Jordan, Jhye Richardson and Riley Meredith. Given the amount of money they’ve splurged on Richardson and Meredith, expect one out of them to play the season opener against Rajasthan Royals on April 12.

PBKS Playing 11 IPL 2021 – 1) Lokesh Rahul (c) 2) Mayank Agarwal 3) Chris Gayle 4) Nicholas Pooran (wk) 5) Deepak Hooda 6) Shahrukh Khan 7) Fabian Allen 8) Jhye Richardson 9) Mohammed Shami 10) Ravi Bishnoi 11) Arshdeep Singh