IPL 2023 Auction: 3 players Punjab Kings should target in the upcoming auction race

Following the super auction for the IPL 2022, cricket legends picked Punjab Kings as one of the most probable teams to proceed to the playoffs and even win the IPL title. However, following the IPL league stage, the Mayank Agarwal-led side was forced to pack their belongings with only 7 victories in 14 games, leaving them sixth in the IPL 2022 points table.

There will be a lot of thinking up till the 16th IPL season. With Rs 32.2 crore in its coffers, they are expected to be involved in most bidding fights. Here are the three players that PBKS may pursue in the IPL 2023 auction.

Sam Curran

Punjab Kings dropped West Indies all-rounder Odean Smith ahead of the upcoming season, and they also have a position vacant for an international bowling all-rounder. Sam Curran will undoubtedly be a step up from the West Indies all-rounder.

Sam Curran has also previously played for Punjab Kings, having started his IPL career with the Mohali-based franchise. With INR 32.20 crore in the bank, the Punjab Kings have the financial clout to vanquish the competition and re-sign their former player.

Narayan Jagadeesan

After dropping Mayank Agarwal, Punjab Kings require a quality Indian opener to make room for an international pacer to assist Kagiso Rabada and Arshdeep Singh. There is no better alternative than Narayan Jagadeesan at the moment, as the right-handed hitter is on fire.

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During the Vijay Hazare Trophy, Narayan Jagadeesan scored 830 runs in 8 matches at an average of 138.33 and a strike rate of 125.37. His heroic effort featured five consecutive centuries and a record-breaking 277-run knock. The batter will not be cheap, as several teams will attempt to sign him, but Punjab Kings have the financial clout to do so.

Shivam Mavi

Punjab Kings have foreign quicks like Kagiso Rabada and Nathan Ellis, but they still want Indian quicks to bolster their assault, with Arshdeep Singh.

Shivam Mavi, a young cricketer who has played 32 IPL games for the Kolkata Knight Riders and collected 30 wickets, maybe a terrific addition to the Kings. He would like bowling at Mohali, the home of the Punjab Kings since it is more suited to seamers than other cities in the country. Ankit Rajpoot and Basil Thampi may also be considered by the Punjab Kings.