Punjab Kings - Team Preview, Records, Journey, IPL 2021 Squad & Schedule

Punjab Kings (formerly known as Kings XI Punjab) was one of the most entertaining teams in IPL 2020. Led by KL Rahul, every match Punjab played was a close encounter. 

In the IPL Auction 2021, they had the biggest purse and hence bid aggressively for Jhye Richardson & Riley Meredith who have zero experience in IPL or playing in Indian Conditions for that matter. They managed to get a bargain for World No.1 T20 batsman Dawid Malan as they bought him at 1.5 Crores only. 

Punjab boasts many exciting names in their squad that will give a sure shot entertainment throughout the IPL 2021. 

Punjab Kings' Squad For IPL 2021

• Batsmen: Chris Gayle, Dawid Malan, Deepak Hooda, Mandeep Singh, Mayank Agarwal, Sarfaraz Khan, Shahrukh Khan
• Bowlers: Arshdeep Singh, Chris Jordan, Darshan Nalkande, Harpreet Brar, Ishan Porel, Jhye Richardson, Mohammad Shami, Murugan Ashwin, Ravi Bishnoi, Riley Meredith, Saurabh Kumar
• All-Rounders: Fabian Allen, Jalaj Saxena, Moises Henriques, Utkarsh Singh 
• Wicketkeepers: Nicholas Pooran, Prabhsimran Singh. 

Punjab Kings' IPL Records

• Punjab Kings (PBKS) hold the unwanted record of conceding most runs in a home game. In IPL 2018 at a home match in Indore, Punjab, under the captaincy of Ravi Ashwin, allowed Kolkata Knight Riders to score 245/6 and broke their own record of giving away 240 runs at Mohali in 2008 against CSK.
• Punjab also holds another unwanted record of most 10 wicket losses. They have three 10 wicket losses to their name.
• The highest scorer in Punjab Kings is the 'Universe Boss' Chris Gayle. He has 4,772 runs to his name at an impressive average and strike rate of 41.13 and 150.11 respectively in the IPL. His highest score is 175* which is the highest by any batsman in the league.
• The highest wicket-taker in the PBKS squad is Mohammad Shami, who is a frontline bowler for the Indian Team as well. He has 60 wickets to his name.
• Overall Record in IPL:
  • Matches Played: 190
  • Wins: 85
  • Losses: 101
  • No Result: 0
  • Win Rate: 45.78%

IPL Journey Of Punjab Kings

• 2008: Won 10 and Lost 4 matches. They finished 3rd after getting defeated by Chennai Super Kings in the semifinal.
• 2009: Won 7 matches and lost 7. Finished 5th final League Standings.
• 2010: Won 4 and Lost 10 matches. Finished last in the 3rd season.
• 2011: Won 7 and lost 7 matches. Finished at the 5th spot.
• 2012: Won 8 and lost 8 matches. Finished at the 6th spot.
• 2013: Won 8 and lost 8 matches. Finished at the 6th spot.
• 2014: Won 12 and lost 5 matches. Finally managed to reach the finals. Finished 2nd after failing to defend 199 against KKR.
• 2015: Won 3 and lost 11 matches. Finished last in the tournament.  
• 2016: Won 4 and lost 10 matches. Finished last for the second time. 
• 2017: Won 7 and lost 7 matches. Finished 5th in the final league standings.
• 2018: Won 6 and lost 8 matches. Finished 6th in the final league standings.
• 2019: Won 6 and lost 8 matches. Finished 6th in the final league standings.
• 2020: Won 6 and lost 8 matches. Finished 6th in the final league standings.

Punjab Kings' strength in the IPL 2021 would be its batting unit. Openers KL Rahul & Mayank Agarwal had a good season in UAE last year. They are backed by Chris Gayle at number 3. In-form Nicholas Pooran will play at number 4 while the No. 1 T20 batsman Dawid Malan might have to wait for his opportunity in the playing XI. Mandeep Singh & Deepak Hooda have played many seasons while Sarfraz Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, and Prabhsimran Singh have done well in domestic cricket. Quality finishers like Fabian Allen and Moises Henriques are also present. 

On the contrary, their bowling unit is quite inexperienced and weak. Only Shami has played IPL regularly. Murugan Ashwin & Ravi Bishnoi had a good last season but it is unlikely that PBKS would play with two leg spinners on subcontinent pitches. There’s Chris Jordan and Fabian Allen but they don’t have much experience in IPL. Moises Henriques' injury concerns are also present for the PBKS to deal with. Ishan Porel, KC Cariappa & Jalaj Saxena lack IPL experience as well.

There could be an opportunity for Arshdeep Singh who had a good last season and Ishan Porel to support Mohammad Shami in the bowling attack. Arshdeep took 9 wickets in 8 matches for Punjab last year and will be the player to watch out for. Punjab would be looking to take advantage of Harpreet Brar's left-arm unorthodox to the game.

The biggest threat for Punjab Kings would be injury concerns for key players. Chris Gayle is 41 years old; Mohammad Shami is coming back from a wrist injury he sustained in the Pink Ball Test against Australia. Moises Henriques and Ishan Porel also are prone to face injury issues.

Punjab Kings' Schedule For IPL 2021 

• 12th April: vs Rajasthan Royals at Mumbai 
• 16th April: vs Chennai Super Kings at Mumbai
• 18th April: vs Delhi Capitals at Mumbai
• 21st April: vs Sunrisers Hyderabad at Chennai (at 4 PM)
• 23rd April: vs Mumbai Indians at Chennai
• 26th April: vs Kolkata Knight Riders at Ahmedabad
• 30th April: vs Royal Challengers Bangalore at Ahmedabad
• 2nd May: vs Delhi Capitals at Ahmedabad
• 6th May: vs Royal Challengers Bangalore at Ahmedabad
• 9th May: vs Chennai Super Kings at Bangalore (at 4 PM)
• 13th May: vs Mumbai Indians at Bangalore (at 4 PM)
• 15th May: vs Kolkata Knight Riders at Bangalore
• 19th May: vs Sunrisers Hyderabad at Bangalore 
• 22nd May: vs Rajasthan Royals at Bangalore