IPL 2022: Right-Left Combo And Both Are Experienced - Wasim Jaffer Explains Why PBKS Has A Great Opening Partnership
Former Indian cricketer Wasim Jaffer pointed out that Punjab Kings (PBKS) opening pair of Mayank Agarwal and Shikhar Dhawan are quite complementary and is a great partnership to have in a franchise.
Jaffer elaborated that Mayank is known to be the aggressor while Dhawan can stick around and hold the fort. Since PBKS has a plethora of power-hitters, having one end occupied by a set batter will help their cause.
“Dhawan and Agarwal are very important for PBKS. They are a left-right combination and both are experienced players. Mayank can play his attacking game as he knows that Dhawan is a calming influence.”
“Dhawan himself is aggressive and this is a great partnership. In the last game, they got the team off to a good start. Although the partnership was not a huge one, it was their stand that set up the chase,” Jaffer told ESPNcricinfo.
“I feel that this is Anil Kumble’s strategy” – Wasim Jaffer
Jaffer mentioned that the head coach, Anil Kumble, came up with the idea to bring Dhawan into the side at the IPL 2022 mega auction and make sure their opening partnership is strong and sturdy.
“I feel that this is Anil Kumble’s strategy, to play attacking cricket. I was part of the team last year and he was insisting on the same. He encourages attacking cricket and that is what we have got to see so far. Rajapaksa came in and played in that fashion, and the others followed.”
“PBKS have a dangerous line-up with Rajapaksa, Liam Livingstone, Shahrukh Khan, and Odean Smith. Even if two of them fire, we know what they are capable of,” the former batter concluded.
PBKS won their first match against RCB as they chased down the mammoth total of 205 at the DY Patil Stadium.
