IPL 2022: First Choice 4 Overseas Players Of Punjab Kings (PBKS) For The Tournament

Punjab Kings had the heaviest purse at the IPL 2022 mega auctions. They made some good acquisitions using 72 crores at the auction and went big behind several players. Liam Livingstone, Jonny Bairstow, Kagiso Rabada and Shikhar Dhawan were the most impressive buys at the auction.

The franchise retained just two players and thus had to build the squad from scratch at the auction. They would believe that they did that having added 25 players at the auction, seven of whom are overseas players. Despite all the additions they had 3.45 crores remaining in their purse which would have been good enough to buy another player.

It will be interesting to see their four overseas picks from the options that they have. In this article, we predict the four overseas players Punjab Kings would opt to play in their playing XI in IPL 2022.

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IPL 2022: First Choice 4 Overseas Players Of Punjab Kings (PBKS) For The Tournament

Liam Livingstone

The England batsman was roped in by Punjab Kings at a hefty amount of 11.50 crores. They must give him a long run to make sure he gets enough opportunities to play and live up to the reputation that he has made for himself across the T20 leagues.

So far, Livingstone has played nine games in the IPL scoring just 112 runs. He is a destructive player if he gets going. He has scored the fastest hundred in T20I cricket for England.

Also Read: IPL Auction 2022: 5 Highest Bids By Punjab Kings (PBKS) In IPL Auction History

Jonny Bairstow

Bairstow like Livingstone adds meat to the batting order. The franchise is actually spoilt for choices among the batsmen and should figure a way out to give a spot to the two players in the batting line-up to maximise their abilities.

Bairstow ideally should open the batting with Shikhar Dhawan and Mayank Agarwal should ideally bat at number four allowing Livingstone to bat at three. Shikhar, Bairstow, Livinngstione and Mayank Agarwal can be a deadly top-order combination for the team.

Kagiso Rabada

Kagiso Rabada is their bank in terms of bowling two overs inside the powerplay and two overs at the death. How is the South African used by the skipper will be an interesting observation. Rabada also should play all the games for the franchise to give themselves the best chance of winning games. He has picked up 76 wickets in 50 games for Delhi Capitals so far.

Odean Smith

Odean Smith cost the franchise 6 crores. His big-hitting skills were on show in the ODI series against India. This is what might have prompted the franchise to go big behind the West Indian all-rounder. Smith is relatively fresh in international cricket. He has made some performances of note in the CPL. The franchise would ideally hope he clicks to his best in IPL 2022.

Also Read: IPL Auction 2022: 5 Australian Players Who Can Cause A Bidding War