Punjab Kings Can Acquire Travis Head At IPL 2024 Auction - Aakash Chopra
Aakash Chopra reckons that the Punjab Kings (PBKS) could aim for Australian batter Travis Head at the IPL 2024 auction if they want an alternative option for Jonny Bairstow at the top order. The franchise has a remaining purse of ₹29.10 crores heading into the auction which is set to take place in Dubai on December 19. They can purchase a maximum of eight players, acquiring two overseas cricketers.
Travis Head has had a terrific ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 campaign scoring a century in the final. He will attract a lot of buyers in this auction and Punjab Kings will be one of the franchises to keep an eye on the Australian southpaw.
Aakash Chopra named Travis Head, Azmatullah Omarzai, and Shardul Thakur as some of the important choices that the Punjab Kings could look to acquire. He elaborated, “You can look towards Azmatullah Omarzai. You can play him in place of Sam Curran. I feel he (Omarzai) will do better than him (Curran). You can keep Travis Head. If you feel you need an option or backup for Jonny Bairstow, why not Travis Head? Lord Thakur is available if you need an Indian bowler and batter.”
The former cricketer turned commentator feels Punjab Kings will need to add some firepower to their lower-middle order, considering their decision to release Shahrukh Khan. He said, “They will have to focus on Indians. Their focus will once again be on the middle order and lower-middle order, although they let Shahrukh Khan go. What will they gain if they bring Shahrukh back?”
Shahrukh Khan was among the seven players that the Mohali-based franchise released as a part of its retention process. They might go for the Tamil Nadu batter again if he is available at a cheaper price. Shahrukh is an explosive lower-middle order batter and can be useful down the order, especially at the death.
Aakash Chopra Believes PBKS Need Some Spinners In The Squad
Aakash Chopra thinks that PBKS need to add some spin to their arsenal. He reasoned, “Keep an Indian spinner if you get one because the spin-bowling department is looking slightly weak, where Rahul Chahar is a proper spinner, Harpreet Brar is okay, and then Sikandar Raza. They should do shopping in the spin department.”
The former Indian opener suggested Michael Bracewell and Wanindu Hasaranga’s names as potential overseas spinners for Punjab Kings. Aakash Chopra stated, “You can look towards Michael Bracewell. You can keep Wanindu Hasaranga if you want. He will also be available but it will once again become an overseas issue. They don’t have an off-spinner, so I suggested Michael Bracewell’s name.”
However, Aakash Chopra acknowledged the fact that the runners-up of the 2014 IPL might not have the accommodation for an overseas spinner in their XI. The reason is Jonny Bairstow and Liam Livingstone are virtual certainties and will be a part of the XI given the position they bat in and Livingstone can roll his arm for an over or two. This leaves only two spots for overseas players in the XI and they have to choose amongst the likes of Sam Curran, Kagiso Rabada, and Nathan Ellis.
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