IPL 2022: Predicted Opening Pair Of Punjab Kings (PBKS)

Unlike the previous mega auction, Punjab Kings made some smart choices in the IPL 2022 auction. They retained just two players and had the tough task of rebuilding their squad ahead of the new season. They managed to get some really good players at some cheap deals.

Punjab Kings had the highest purse heading into the mega auction with 72 crores remaining. They made some good decisions on the auction table and roped in names like Kagiso Rabada, Shikhar Dhawan, Jonny Bairstow, Shahrukh Khan, and Liam Livingstone. At Rs. 9.25 crores, Rabada was the team’s top deal in IPL auction 2022. Previously Punjab had retained Mayank Agarwal for 12 cores and Arshdeep Singh for 4 crores.

With Dhawan and Bairstow in their ranks, Punjab Kings have solve the problem of finding suitable openers. Both Dhawan and Bairstow are experienced players and their numbers in the IPL speak for themselves They also have Mayank Agarwal as the third opener. Agarwal was also named as the captain of the franchise ahead of the season. In this article, we analyse how Dhawan and Bairstow can best complement each other while opening for Punjab Kings in IPL 2022.

IPL 2022: Predicted Opening Pair Of Punjab Kings

Shikhar Dhawan

Dhawan is amongst the most consistent batters in the IPL and perhaps the most consistent Indian batter. He has had a stellar record playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad and Delhi Capitals. His numbers for Delhi especially are stupendous. Since joining Delhi in 2018, the southpaw has scored 2066 runs in 63 matches.

He breached the 600-run mark in IPL 2020 and scored over 50-plus runs in 2019 and 2021. Punjab would ideally hope that he continues on his merry form and plays a big role in leading them to their maiden IPL title.

Jonny Bairstow

While the England keeper-batsman can bant anywhere between one to four in the batting order, Jonny Bairstow would be most productive as an opener. He should be one of the four players to play in the Kings lineup, given that he is a specialist wicketkeeper. With the bat as well, he has been very consistent for SRH in the IPL.

So far he has scored 1038 runs in 28 matches and all of them for Hyderabad. Joining Punjab now, Bairstow should be able to continue with the same consistency.

Also Read: MS Dhoni Was An Emotional Retention At INR 12 Crores – Aakash Chopra On CSK’s IPL 2022 Auction Strategy