Punjab Kings Predicted Playing XI If Only Indian Players Played In The IPL

Punjab Kings have been traditionally more dependent on the overseas contingent in their squad and they have been looking to build an Indian batting core for the future. The balance of the side lacks a lot of all-rounders and the depth of the squad looks more questionable than other franchises.

They do not have many options and their strategies in the auction can be a little bit confusing at times. They haven’t won an IPL yet despite featuring in the thirteen seasons and they made the only final in the 2014 season. Here is the Punjab Kings predicted playing XI if only Indian players played in the IPL.

Punjab Kings Predicted Playing XI If Only Indian Players Played In The IPL:

KL Rahul(C & WK):

KL Rahul has been the best performer for Punjab Kings ever since he has come into the side in 2018 and the flamboyant right-hander has been made the most out of the resources he had in the squad. However, he has sacrificed his strike rate for the team’s cause and should play his natural game for the team to benefit more. He will captain the side and don the wicket-keeping gloves too.

Mayank Agarwal:

Mayank Agarwal will partner Rahul at the other end and the Karnataka duo has been very successful opening the batting for the franchise. They have provided the right platform on most occasions and Agarwal has upgraded himself to a terrific batsman in IPL too in the last two years. He scored 260 runs in the 7 games he played in IPL 2021.

Mandeep Singh:

Mandeep Singh is an excellent talent from the U-19 world cup and he has played a fair amount of IPL games in the past for various franchises. He is an excellent fielder and is an excellent timer of the cricket ball. He has been in and out of the side, and this might be the perfect chance for him to come in at three for the side and play big innings which he is capable of.

Sarfaraz Khan:

Sarfaraz Khan played a lot of games in the IPL 2019 season for the Punjab Kings and he made some useful contributions at times. He is another product of the Indian U-19 side and he scored heaps of runs in the previous Ranji Trophy. He has been in really good form and he plays a lot of unorthodox shots. He was one of the players retained ahead of the mega auction in 2018 by RCB and he has shown a lot of promise.

Deepak Hooda:

Deepak Hooda started his IPL campaign this year with a bang scoring a quickfire 64 off 28 balls which was positive signs for the franchise moving forward. However, he could not repeat his heroics and finished with 116 runs in 8 games. But he has the ability to strike the long balls and can also chip in as the sixth bowler in the side. He can come in at five for the Punjab Kings.

Shahrukh Khan:

Shahrukh Khan showed only glimpses of the hitting prowess of his hitting skills and the Tamil Nadu explosive batsman can be a very good finisher at the death. He scored 107 runs in 8 games this season but had faced very balls and he will be hoping to be pushed up the order if the openers provide a big platform. He is expected to take up the finisher role for the side.

Harpreet Brar:

Harpreet Brar turned out to be the find of the season for the Punjab Kings and he came into the party in the first game he played this season. He got the big wickets of Maxwell, Kohli, and Devilliers in an outstanding spell and chipped in with some handy runs down the order too. He certainly helps in the balance of the squad and his left-arm spin has been really effective too.

Ravi Bishnoi:

Ravi Bishnoi missed out on the first few games for the Punjab Kings this season but came into the side and had immediate effects in the bowling department. He picked up 4 wickets in the 4 games this season and was very economical in his spell too. He is one of the bright young talents coming up in the country and the leg spinner is a certainty in the playing XI now.

Mohammed Shami:

Mohammed Shami has been the leader of the pace attack of the Punjab Kings bowling lineup and after an excellent season in IPL 2020, he still hasn’t found his groove this season. He came back well in the last few games and finished with 8 wickets in 8 games at the midway mark for the Punjab Kings. He is one of the best fast bowlers going around in the country and possesses a lot of experience.

Arshdeep Singh:

Arshdeep Singh had a roller coaster ride in IPL 2021 as he started this season by bowling the crucial last over against the Rajasthan Royals. He managed to win the game for Punjab Kings despite Samson’s heroics and the young left-arm seamer gained a lot of confidence through it. He finished with 7 wickets in the 6 games he played this season and he will be a game-changer if he works on his accuracy.

Ishan Porel:

Ishan Porel hasn’t made his debut in the IPL yet but was with the famous Under -19 team that won the world cup in 2018, and the 22-year-old was phenomenal in the tournament. He has been taking wickets consistently in the domestic circuit and there is no doubt about his potential. He is expected to make the cut into the playing XI as the third seamer in the side.