IPL 2021: 3 Stars From Punjab Kings Who Can Be Game Changers Against Rajasthan Royals

The Punjab Kings, who have changed the franchise name this year will be on high expectations to do well in their first game tonight against Rajasthan Royals. Punjab did not have the best of the season in the last IPL and picked up momentum in the backend of the tournament which was too late though.

Punjab has got a pretty good top four boasting the likes of KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Chris Gayle, and Nicholas Pooran. Punjab made the finals in 2014 and they have been waiting to enter the finals ever since that. They haven’t won an IPL trophy yet and here are 3 stars from Punjab Kings who can be the game-changers against Rajasthan Royals.

3 Stars From Punjab Kings Who Can Be Game Changers:

KL Rahul:

KL Rahul bagged the orange cap in the last IPL and he did have an excellent individual season. However, the Punjab skipper failed to get his team over the line on most of the occasions despite scoring loads of runs. Of the things that were in scrutiny against him was the strike rate progression which wasn’t great for him.

Rahul had a poor T20 series against England but he has been the best T20 player from India in the last two years. He has not been able to go hard at the front which he did very well in the 2018 IPL and his strike rate has been on the downward spiral. But Punjab has got a much better squad this year and he will have the license to go hard at the top which will be much effective. Rahul is a game-changer which Rajasthan should be wary of.

Chris Gayle:

The best T20 batsman over the years will have to be the big man from the Caribbean, Chris Gayle who has owned the format. He has had staggering numbers in the format and looks set for another good season this year. He did not play in the first few games last year and had a major impact once he came back into the team.

Gayle likes to take on the spinners and coming in at three for the Punjab Kings has been very useful for him as he can go for the kill straight away and doesn’t need to see off the new ball.

The platform has been set by the likes of KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal which can be used by Gayle to make the full use of the start. Gayle can demolish any bowling attack and he will be a match-winner for the Punjab Kings if he gets going today.

Mohammad Shami:

Mohammad Shami is the most experienced bowler in the Punjab Kings lineup and he will have to be the spearhead of the bowling attack. He had an excellent IPL in the last season picking up 20 wickets in 14 games and executed the yorkers to perfection on most of the occasions.

He is coming back after an injury in the Australian test series and his four overs are going to be crucial to the plans of Punjab this year too. He will get much-needed support from the new recruits like Jhye Richardson and Riley Meridith and also the two spinners in the middle order.

Shami is a much-improved bowler in T20 cricket and this will be a big test for him considering the T20 Worldcup coming up this year.