IPL 2023 Auction: 3 Players Which Can Be Released By Punjab Kings (PBKS)
Published - 28 Oct 2022, 05:26 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:14 AM
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The Mohali-based franchise once again endured an underwhelming season last time around. No matter how good Punjab Kings (PBKS) perform during the auction process, they somehow manage to slip from their consistent run.
Despite having a formidable squad in place, Punjab couldn’t win two matches on the bounce in the Tata IPL 2022. Mayank Agarwal and Co tend to win a game and then lose away in the other and such has been the story of Punjab Kings in the IPL.
With a new season in the offing, the franchise would love to strategize for the future and would certainly release a few players from their existing squad. Let’s take you through the top 3 Players Punjab Kings (PBKS) might release ahead of the IPL 2023.
IPL 2023 Auction: 3 Players Which Can Be Released By Punjab Kings (PBKS)
Odean Smith
Punjab Kings (PBKS) spent big to pick West Indies all-rounder Odean Smith for a staggering INR 6 Crores. The all-rounder’s name was once associated with the likes of Andre Russell for his six-hitting abilities and bowling.
However, what followed in the IPL was exactly the opposite of what everyone had imagined. Smith could only score 56 runs in six outings for PBKS and scalped 6 wickets.
Moreover, a huge turn in his IPL appearance came when he conceded two consecutive sixes in the last two deliveries of the match against Gujarat Titans’ Rahul Tewatia. Punjab lost the game which was with them till the second last delivery. PBKS management would definitely think about the future of Odean Smith in the franchise.
Sandeep Sharma
Punjab Kings (PBKS) picked up the services of experienced Indian pacer Sandeep Sharma during the auction for INR 50 Lakhs. Sandeep Sharma is a domestic name in the Indian Premier League, having played 105 matches and picked 114 scalps in the tournament.
However, the pacer couldn’t prove himself beneficial for Punjab Kings in the IPL 2022. Sharma featured in 5 matches for PBKS and returned with just two wickets against his name. His average has surged all the way up to 76.50 which will be a concern. Punjab may thus release him ahead of the next auction and try to pick a substitute pacer in his place.
Shahrukh Khan
A whopping sum of INR 9 Crores was spent on Shahrukh Khan during the auction process by Punjab Kings. Shahrukh Khan entered the IPL auction arena riding on the back of his fiery outing in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy for Tamil Nadu.
Though the 27-years old cricketer showed a glimpse of his heroics, however, he wasn’t consistent enough to please the spectators and experts. In eight innings of the IPL 2022, Khan could only muscle 117 runs at a poor strike rate of 108.33. Moreover, his average (16.71) isn’t encouraging either.
