IPL 2024: Strengths and Weaknesses of Punjab Kings (PBKS)

Delhi Capitals vs Punjab Kings. (Photo Source: IPL)

Punjab Kings (PBKS) have consistently failed to qualify for the playoffs after the 2014 season but in 2024, they will look to turn the tables under Shikhar Dhawan. Punjab’s 2023 campaign ended with disappointment, racking up only six wins in 14 matches. PBKS are the only team that has qualified for the playoffs only twice despite being a part of the league since 2008.

In the 2024 IPL auction, PBKS spent INR 24.95 crore to reserve the services of eight players. Among these eight players, some eminent names are Harshal Patel, Chris Woakes, and Rilee Rossouw. The 2021 purple cap winner Patel became the team’s costliest buy for INR 11.75 crore. With this amount, the pacer also became the costliest Indian player in the 2024 auction.

Punjab also fetched South Africa’s T20 specialist Rilee Rossouw for a massive sum of INR 8 crore in the accelerated round. Waokes became a part of the franchise for INR 4.2 crore. After the auction, the PBKS squad is looking stronger but the SWOT analysis will help their supporters assess the performance of their team in 2024. 

PBKS Strengths:

Star-studded batting unit

PBKS have a lot of illustrious batters in their lineup. Shikhar Dhawan, Jonny Bairstow, Rossouw, Sikandar Raza, and Sam Curran are some prominent names who will look to rock the tournament with their batting brilliance. These names have played a lot of cricket in the international circuit and their vast experience might do wonders for the team.

Talented finishers

Punjab have power hitters like Jitesh Sharma and Liam Livingstone who are capable of delivering match-finishing moments to the team, with their belligerent batting attitude. Along with Jitesh and Livingstone, Sikandar Raza and Sam Curran are also known for taking quality bowling units to the cleaners in the final overs of innings.

Quality pace attack

Following the 2024 auction, PBKS’ pace attack looks superior to any other team. They already have Kagiso Rabada, Arshdeep Singh, and Sam Curran on their team. At the auction, they invested a heavy amount in Harshal Patel. The speedster has been active in the cash-rich league for more than 11 years and he can turn the tide with his immense experience and spectacular skills. In case, Rabada or Curran fail to showcase their best, Chris Woakes might solidify the team. 

PBKS Weaknesses:

Limited spin-bowling options

The PBKS team management didn’t buy any experienced spinners in the auction despite the lack of quality in the spin department. In 2023, Rahul Chahar and Harpreet Brar failed to provide breakthroughs to the team in crunch situations. Both spinners jointly took only 17 wickets, with Chahar hunting eight scalps while Brar bagging only nine wickets. Their ordinary performance became one of the reasons for Kings’ failure in the season.

PBKS Opportunities:

Jonny Bairstow’s comeback

Jonny Bairstow’s comeback may help PBKS to be impactful in 2024. The English veteran is one of the most experienced players in the squad. Along with skipper Shikhar Dhawan, he can provide exceptional numbers to the team with his aggressive batting style. He might be seen supporting the side in the opening role with Dhawan.

PBKS Threats

Out-of-form players

PBKS have a lot of England players who didn’t look decent in the 2023 World Cup. Bairstow, Livingstone, Curran, and Woakes struggled in Indian conditions. Their non-performance concluded the English team’s journey in the round-robin stage. The overreliance on England players might cost PBKS in the 2024 IPL season.