On the retention deadline, the one-time IPL runners-up Punjab Kings (PBKS) have announced their retained players for the IPL 2025.

Punjab Kings are known for their underperformances. They have finished in the top four of the IPL seasons only twice. Apart from suffering elimination from the semifinals in the inaugural IPL edition (2008), they were the league stage champions at the IPL 2014, where they finished as the runners-up after losing the final against Kolkata Knight Riders. 

Punjab Kings haven’t played in the IPL playoffs for the last 10 years. Last season, they finished in the ninth position.

While Shikhar Dhawan led the PBKS in the complete IPL 2023, he initially led the team during the 2024 edition before a shoulder injury knocked him out of the tournament. English all-rounder Sam Curran led the Punjab franchise as a stand-in captain in 2024, and Jitesh Sharma was the stand-in captain for their last match of the 2024 season. 

Punjab Kings player retention

Punjab Kings have announced only two uncapped retentions with a total value of INR 9.50 Crore. The franchise can play a big role in the upcoming mega auction, where they will start with the remaining purse value of INR 110.50 crore. 

(Capped)

None

(Uncapped)

Shashank Singh (Indian): INR 5.50 Crore

Prabhsimran Singh (Indian): INR 4 Crore

Right-to-Match (RTM) card availability for the mega auction

4 capped players

Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has shared details of a challenging period with former Punjab Kings (then Kings XI Punjab) director of operations, Virender Sehwag, during the IPL 2017 season. In his new book, Maxwell recounts the friction between him and Sehwag, highlighting issues related to team selection, management decisions, and a public fallout that ultimately led to a strained relationship.

Sehwag’s role in team decisions and Maxwell’s discontent

Maxwell, who captained PBKS during the 2017 season, detailed how Sehwag maintained significant control over team selection, sidelining input from the coaching staff. Despite a consensus to involve all coaches in a WhatsApp group for team decisions, Sehwag ignored suggestions and asserted his authority to pick the playing XI unilaterally. This approach, according to Maxwell, contributed to the team’s underwhelming performance that season.

In his book, Maxwell explained, “We thought it might be beneficial to include the coaching staff in a WhatsApp group for team decisions. Everyone was on board, except for Sehwag. In the end, he was the one calling the shots on the starting XI, and this affected the morale both on and off the field.”

Public fallout after loss to rising Pune Super Giants

Maxwell also recounted the aftermath of PBKS’s final game of the season against Rising Pune Super Giants, which they lost by nine wickets. Following the match, Maxwell volunteered to face the media, but Sehwag chose to go instead, using the opportunity to criticize Maxwell publicly, calling him a “big disappointment” and blaming him for failing to take responsibility as captain. Maxwell was surprised by this, especially when he found out that he had been removed from the team’s WhatsApp group soon after the game.

The former PBKS captain also mentioned his private response to Sehwag’s remarks: “I texted him saying how much it hurt to hear those comments. I told him he’d lost a fan in me. He responded, saying he didn’t need a fan like me. That was the last we spoke.”

See Also: Santner shines with record-breaking performance against India

Maxwell eventually left PBKS and played for other franchises, including Delhi Capitals in 2018 and later rejoining PBKS in 2020. Since 2021, he has been a part of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, with his future in the franchise still under consideration.

The 69th match of the IPL 2024 season will be played between Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Punjab Kings at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on Sunday, May 19, 2024. However, Punjab Kings won the toss and opted to bat first.

SRH won seven games so far and lost five as well. On the other hand, PBKS won five games so far and they lost eight games as well. However, both teams will try to win the game and keep the momentum on. This is going to be an exciting match for both teams as well.

ALSO READ: Zaheer Khan shares MS Dhoni’s plans after IPL 2024

IPL 2024: SRH vs PBKS, Match 69: Who said what at the toss?

Pat Cummins: The fans have been awesome this season here. We are pretty well set-up for both (bat first or ball first. I’m a terrible reader of wickets, looks like a nice wicket. Looks dry and firm. Only one change for us. Rahul Tripathi comes in for a bowler.

Jitesh Sharma: We would like to bat. I think wicket is looking good, we want to score big and put SRH under pressure. Proud and grateful to captain my side today. We have few options because all the overseas have gone gone. Only Rilee Rossouw is gonna play. We have exciting talent waiting for their opportunity and they are gonna give their best today. Nothing to lose today, we are here to play some good cricket.

Playing XIs:

Sunrisers Hyderabad: Abhishek Sharma, Nitish Reddy, Rahul Tripathi, Heinrich Klaasen(w), Abdul Samad, Shahbaz Ahmed, Sanvir Singh, Pat Cummins(c), Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, T Natarajan

Sunrisers Hyderabad Impact Subs: Travis Head, Umran Malik, Glenn Phillips, Washington Sundar, Jaydev Unadkat

Punjab Kings: Prabhsimran Singh, Atharva Taide, Rilee Rossouw, Shashank Singh, Jitesh Sharma(w/c), Ashutosh Sharma, Shivam Singh, Harpreet Brar, Rishi Dhawan, Harshal Patel, Rahul Chahar

Punjab Kings Impact Subs: Arshdeep Singh, Tanay Thyagarajan, Prince Choudhary, Vidhwath Kaverappa, Harpreet Singh Bhatia

Punjab Kings registered a convincing win by 5 wickets over Rajasthan Royals at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati in the 65th match of the ongoing IPL 2024 on Wednesday, May 15. Sam Curran smashed a quick fifty and the bowlers helped the team win.

RR players failed to do well with the bat

Rajasthan Royals won the toss and opted to bat first. RR had a poor start as their opener Yashasvi Jaiswal got out for a mere 4. However, Kohler-Cadmore and Sanju Samson tried to steady the ship but they couldn’t do much. Riyan Parag played yet another good knock of 48 off 34. On the other hand, R Ashwin also scored 28 off 19 with 3 fours and 1 six.

Their efforts helped them post a decent total of 144 for 9 in their allotted 20 overs. Sam Curran, Harshal Patel and Rahul Chahar claimed 2 wickets each.

ALSO READ: Zaheer Khan shares MS Dhoni’s plans after IPL 2024

Sam Curran scored a quick fifty

While chasing, PBKS lost their in-form opener Prabhsimran Singh for a mere 4. However, Jonny Bairstow and Rilee Rossouw tried to steady the ship and added 30 runs within 5.3 overs before the latter got out. Soon Shashank Singh also got out for a duck.

However, after their dismissals, middle-order batters Sam Curran and Jitesh Sharma stepped up. While Sam scored a quickfire 63 off 41 with 5 fours and 3 sixes, Jitesh Sharma scored 22 and Ashutosh Sharma’s quick 17 helped them to win the match by 5 wickets and 18.5 overs in hand.

Sanju Samson said after the match: “We needed a few more runs. I think we were 10-15 runs short. It was a 160 kind of a wicket. We would have easily got more than 160 (had we played better), that’s where we lost the game. Would have been nice to have one more bowling option. I am getting used to five quality bowlers. We have to sit back and accept that we are going through failures, have lost four games on the trot. Got to find out what’s not working out for us as a team.

Somebody needs to step up, we have so many match-winners in the team. This is the time we need to show character. We need to score more runs. We thought 160-170 would have been a good score. We are not used to playing on such wickets this season where 200-plus totals are getting scored easily. We had to play smart cricket and build those partnerships today. Hopefully the result goes in our way (in the upcoming games.)”

Following Liam Livingstone‘s departure from the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) season, Rajasthan Royals bid farewell to another English cricketer as explosive batsman Jos Buttler exits the tournament to fulfil his national commitments.

Buttler’s Farewell: Rajasthan Royals Lose a Key Player

In a poignant video shared by the Rajasthan Royals’ official social media handle, Jos Buttler is seen bidding farewell to his teammates before departing from the Royals’ camp. His departure leaves a void in the team, depriving Rajasthan of a critical player known for his explosive batting prowess.

Liam Livingstone’s Departure: English Exodus from IPL Continues

The exit of Jos Buttler marks the continuation of a trend wherein English players have been leaving the IPL midway to prepare for international duties. Liam Livingstone’s departure preceded Buttler’s exit, adding to the list of English stars relinquishing their IPL campaigns for national duty.

See Also: GT vs KKR: Toss delayed due to bad weather; Check latest updates

Liam Livingstone’s premature departure from the IPL was driven by concerns over his fitness, particularly his troublesome knee. Having suffered from a series of muscle injuries recently, Livingstone prioritized his recovery for the T20 World Cup to ensure his availability for England’s campaign.

ECB’s Call: National Duty Beckons for England Players

The decision to leave the IPL stems from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) call for World Cup-bound players to return to the national setup ahead of the crucial series against Pakistan. With the T20Is against Pakistan serving as a dress rehearsal for the upcoming T20 World Cup, key players like Buttler become imperative for England.

Following Livingstone and Buttler’s exit, the rest of England’s World Cup squad members who participated in the IPL are expected to return home. Players like Will Jacks, Reece Topley, Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Sam Curran, and Phil Salt will join their teammates in England, where they will regroup ahead of the series against Pakistan. The squad is scheduled to reconvene in Leeds ahead of England’s first T20I against Pakistan at Headingley on May 22.

Reunion in Leeds: England Squad Gathers for T20I Against Pakistan

The England squad’s reunion in Leeds marks the beginning of a crucial phase in their preparation for the T20 World Cup. As players regroup and focus shifts towards the series against Pakistan, anticipation builds among fans as they eagerly await the team’s performance on home soil.

The 53rd match of the IPL 2024 season will be played between Punjab Kings vs Chennai Super Kings at Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala on Sunday, May 5, 2024. However, Punjab Kings won the toss and opted to bowl first.

PBKS won four games so far and lost seven as well. On the other hand, GT won four games so far and they lost six games as well. However, both teams will try to win the game and keep the momentum on. This is going to be an exciting match for both teams as well.

ALSO READ: Zaheer Khan shares MS Dhoni’s plans after IPL 2024

IPL 2024: PBKS vs CSK, Match 53: Who said what at the toss?

Ruturaj Gaikwad: We’ve just stuck to our process and doing little things right. We don’t look at the track record of the opposition, we focus on ourselves and see what we can do right. This season there have been a lot of injuries, flus and forced changes so we’ve had to tinker with our team. I’d say losing 10 tosses but winning 5 games is a positive. Santner comes in place of Fizz.

Sam Curran: We’re going to bowl. Day game, try and see how it plays and chase it down. We’ve got the same team. We’ve had two really good wins with the same team. Conditions should be fairly even throughout, it’s about batting, bowling and fielding well.

Playing XIs:

Punjab Kings: Jonny Bairstow, Rilee Rossouw, Shashank Singh, Sam Curran(c), Jitesh Sharma(w), Ashutosh Sharma, Harpreet Brar, Harshal Patel, Rahul Chahar, Kagiso Rabada, Arshdeep Singh

Punjab Kings Impact Subs: Prabhsimran Singh, Harpreet Singh Bhatia, Tanay Thyagarajan, Vidhwath Kaverappa, Rishi Dhawan

Chennai Super Kings: Ajinkya Rahane, Ruturaj Gaikwad(c), Daryl Mitchell, Shivam Dube, Moeen Ali, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni(w), Mitchell Santner, Shardul Thakur, Richard Gleeson, Tushar Deshpande

Chennai Super Kings Impact Subs: Sameer Rizvi, Simarjeet Singh, Shaik Rasheed, Mukesh Choudhary, Prashant Solanki

The IPL 2024 season is heating up, with Punjab Kings gearing up to face Chennai Super Kings in their subsequent thrilling encounter at the Chepauk Stadium on May 1st. However, amidst the excitement surrounding the upcoming match, Punjab Kings bid farewell to one of their stalwart players, Sikandar Raza, who is set to join the Zimbabwe squad for the upcoming T20I series against Bangladesh.

Sikandar Raza’s Departure

Sikandar Raza’s departure comes as a significant blow to Punjab Kings, as the seasoned all-rounder has been a valuable asset to the team. His absence will undoubtedly leave a void in the Punjab Kings’ lineup, both in terms of his batting prowess and his utility as a bowler. Raza’s decision to prioritize national duty highlights his commitment to representing his country on the international stage.

See Also: Top 5 successful run chase in T20

Sikandar Raza’s IPL Performance

Despite being a key player in the Punjab Kings’ squad, Sikandar Raza struggled to make a significant impact in the IPL 2024 season. With limited opportunities to showcase his talent, Raza managed to score only 43 runs in two games, falling short of expectations. A comparison with his performances in previous IPL seasons underscores the dip in Raza’s form and productivity during the current campaign.

Punjab Kings’ Recent Triumph

In a sensational display of batting prowess, Punjab Kings ended their four-match losing streak in style by chasing down a record total of 262 against Kolkata Knight Riders. Led by the explosive batting of Jonny Bairstow, Punjab Kings orchestrated a remarkable run chase, securing a much-needed victory to boost their morale.

Current Standing of Punjab Kings

Despite their spectacular win, the Punjab Kings are languishing in eighth place in the IPL 2024 points table. With six points from nine matches and a net run rate of -0.187, they face an uphill battle to secure a spot in the playoffs. The tight competition in the league intensifies the pressure on them to deliver consistent performances in their remaining fixtures.

Future Prospects for Punjab Kings

As Punjab Kings strive to keep their playoff hopes alive, they face the daunting task of winning all five of their remaining matches. However, even with a potential accumulation of 16 points, their playoff qualification remains uncertain, with the net run rate looming as a decisive factor.

The match began with anticipation as Prabhsimran Singh and Jonny Bairstow stepped onto the pitch for the chase of 262 runs against KKR. Facing Chameera’s deliveries, Bairstow wasted no time making his mark, smashing a boundary off the fourth ball, setting the tone for Punjab Kings.

Bairstow’s Dominance

Harshit Rana took up the ball next, but Bairstow proved a formidable opponent, sending the ball soaring over the long-on boundary for a massive SIX. Meanwhile, Rossouw joined the action, breaking his four-dot streak with a boundary of his own.

See Also: Netizens question KKR for sending Shreyas ahead of Rinku Singh

As Harshit Rana continued his spell, Bairstow showcased his prowess with a mistimed shot that still cleared extra covers for a SIX, propelling him to a well-deserved FIFTY. Andre Russell entered the attack, but Bairstow, greeting him with a boundary, remained unfazed.

Bairstow’s Milestone

In a stunning display of skill and determination, Bairstow reached a century in just 45 balls, solidifying his reputation as a powerhouse batsman. Jonny Bairstow becomes the FIRST player to score an IPL century while chasing 250+ total.

Fastest IPL hundreds for PBKS (by balls faced)
38 – David Miller vs RCB, Mohali, 2013
45 – Mayank Agarwal vs RR, Sharjah, 2020
45 – Jonny Bairstow vs KKR, Kolkata, 2024
49 – Wriddhiman Saha vs KKR, Bengaluru, 2014 final

Punjab Kings’ Created History

With KKR setting a formidable target of 261/6 at the Eden Gardens, PBKS have a golden opportunity to surpass the highest IPL chase and etch their name in the annals of T20 cricket history with the most successful chase ever.

Blistering Start by Punjab Kings

PBKS wasted no time launching a fierce assault on the opposition bowlers, courtesy of a breathtaking century by Jonny Bairstow in just 45 balls. Bairstow’s explosive innings set the tone for Punjab Kings’ chase, instilling hope and excitement among fans witnessing the unfolding drama at the Eden Gardens.

T20 Record for Highest Successful Chase

While IPL matches have witnessed thrilling chases over the years, the overall T20 record for the most successful chase currently rests with South Africa. However, with PBKS’s ambitious pursuit of KKR’s imposing total, cricket enthusiasts eagerly anticipate witnessing history being made on the hallowed grounds of Eden Gardens.

High Scores in IPL 2024 Season

The ongoing season of the IPL has witnessed a surge in high-scoring matches, with teams consistently posting 250-plus scores. Sunrisers Hyderabad, in particular, have set new benchmarks by recording the two highest scores ever in IPL and T20 franchise cricket, adding to the excitement and intensity of the tournament.

Highest successful IPL run-chases

Highest successful T20 run-chases

Punjab Kings’ captain Shikhar Dhawan is facing a shoulder injury, confirmed by coach Sanjay Bangar. This setback could keep him out of action for at least a week, possibly longer. As a result, Dhawan might miss two upcoming IPL 2024 matches: against Mumbai Indians on April 18 and Gujarat Titans on April 21, both scheduled at home in Mullanpur.

In the absence of Dhawan, Sam Curran took charge during the toss for Punjab Kings, leading to some confusion as Jitesh Sharma had represented the team during the captains’ conference in Chennai earlier in the season.

“He’s having a shoulder injury…”

“So he is likely to be out for at least a couple of days, I would say,” Bangar said. “Having an experienced opener, somebody like Shikhar, who has experience of playing on such wickets, becomes extremely crucial [for the team].

“We have to wait and see how he responds to the treatment. At the moment, it seems that he could be out of action for at least seven-ten days.”

“No, no, he [Jitesh] wasn’t the designated vice-captain,” Bangar added. “The impression could have been because he attended the captains’ seminar, or meeting, at the start of the IPL. But the thought was always that… because Sam has led the team in the previous year as well; he was late to arrive from UK and he wanted to have a few [training] sessions, that’s the reason we couldn’t send him to Chennai. Hence Jitesh was sent, because the directive was that a player has to attend.

“It wasn’t the case that Jitesh was the stand-in captain. We were very clear in our mind that if at all there had to be an opening, Sam Curran will be taking over and do the job as the captain.”

Although Dhawan’s performance with the bat hasn’t been exceptional in IPL 2024, he remains Punjab Kings’ highest run-scorer with 152 runs from five innings, averaging 30.40 with a strike rate of 125.61. However, the team’s struggles at the top of the order have contributed significantly to their four losses in six games, leaving them at the eighth spot on the table.

Dhawan’s absence creates void in Punjab Kings

Dhawan’s opening partner, Jonny Bairstow, has also faced challenges, managing only 96 runs in six innings, while Prabhsimran Singh and Jitesh Sharma have struggled for consistency and impact with 119 and 106 runs respectively in six innings each.

Bangar said, “Certainly is a cause for concern that the top order is not making enough runs for us.” He added, “They are trying hard – I am not saying that they are not applying themselves – but it’s just not coming. Low-scoring games, especially at Mullanpur, the way the wicket is… that also has a factor. Because if you see, some of the scores have been pretty low.

“All the three games that we have played here, in the first six overs, with the new ball, the wicket tends to just jag a little bit, and uneven bounce as well. So maybe that is also a contributing factor because, not only us, the visiting teams and their top order are facing issues.”

See Also: IPL 2024: MS Dhoni just 25 runs away to create CSK vs MI IPL history

In their recent match, with Dhawan sidelined, Punjab Kings experimented with Atharva Taide at the top, who scored 15 runs in 12 balls. Despite their efforts, the team posted a total of 147 for 8 against Rajasthan Royals, ending up on the losing side in a low-scoring game at Mullanpur.

In a nerve-wracking finish, Hyderabad emerged victorious, but it wasn’t without some tense moments. They had themselves to blame for making the match much closer than it needed to be, as they put down three catches, two of which resulted in maximums for the opposition. These missed opportunities could have cost them dearly, but they managed to hold their nerve in the final over to secure the win. Despite the slight hiccup, Hyderabad showcased resilience and determination to come out on top in a tight contest.

On the other hand, Punjab will rue their missed chance to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. Shashank Singh and Ashutosh Sharma displayed remarkable grit and skill to almost pull off an incredible win for their team. However, in the end, their efforts fell agonizingly short as they finished just two runs shy of the target. Despite the disappointment, Punjab can take heart from the fighting spirit they showed and look to bounce back stronger in their upcoming matches.

See Also: IPL 2024: Player Analysis: Jos Buttler Roars Back into Form with a Match-Winning Century as Royals Maintain Unbeaten Streak

Arshdeep’s Powerplay Bowling: Insights and Analysis

Over the past two years, Arshdeep has been a consistent member of the national team. However, his performance in the recent match against Sunrisers Hyderabad highlighted a dip in form, particularly with the new ball. Prior to this game, his statistics with the new ball were rather ordinary, managing only two wickets in four matches. His average in powerplay overs stood at 33.5, indicating a struggle to make early breakthroughs, a skill that had previously been a strength for him.

To regain his momentum, Arshdeep needed a strong performance, and he delivered just that with his standout performance in the powerplay overs, marking a significant improvement in his form. This impressive display would undoubtedly please the Indian selectors, who closely monitor players’ performances. Throughout the match, the 25-year-old bowled with confidence, consistently hitting the right lengths and troubling the Sunrisers opening batters with his line and length.

Arshdeep’s strategy proved effective as 83% of his deliveries targeted the region where batters found it challenging to score, managing only a strike rate of 67. This focused approach led to increased pressure on the opposition batters. In previous matches, he induced 15 false shots, but against Sunrisers, he provoked five false shots, showcasing his ability to unsettle even the most skilled batters. Notably, he dismissed two of the Sunrisers’ top performers, Travis Head and Aiden Markram, further highlighting his impact on the game.

Arshdeep’s precision against Travis Head involved targeting the stumps, inducing the left-hander to play his signature drive, ultimately resulting in his dismissal. Similarly, he exploited Aiden Markram’s weakness by delivering a ball angled away from the right-hander, leading to another crucial wicket. These dismissals of two key batters, who had been in stellar form, underscored Arshdeep’s ability to deliver under pressure, particularly against formidable opponents like Sunrisers.

In just one over, Arshdeep demonstrated his exceptional skill and composure, proving the adage that “form is temporary, but class is permanent.” This performance epitomized his resilience and adaptability, reaffirming his status as a reliable asset for his team in critical situations.