IPL: Punjab Kings’ (PBKS) all-time greatest XI in league history

The Indian Premier League (IPL) will complete 16 years with the onset of the 17th edition. Punjab Kings (PBKS) who are active in the league since the inaugural season, haven’t won the trophy thus far and they will look to quench their thirst in the upcoming season under their captain Shikhar Dhawan.

Currently, they have illustrious names such as Dhawan, Sam Curran, Jonny Bairstow, and Kagiso Rabada in their team. Looking back at their history, many cricketing legends such as Chris Gayle, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Adam Gilchrist, Virender Sehwag, and Irfan Pathan have served them. Despite getting services from these distinguished names, the team never succeeded in winning the title.

However, Punjab fans can contend with the performances of players who served their side efficiently in the past. Discussing those legendary names, let’s talk about the PBKS’ all-time greatest XI.

Here is the Punjab Kings (PBKS) all-time greatest XI in league history:

1. KL Rahul (Captain) & (Wicketkeeper)

KL Rahul (Photo Source: Twitter)

KL Rahul served the team as the skipper from 2018-2021. Under his captaincy, PBKS couldn’t do anything special but Rahul’s endeavours as a batter were noted. In all four seasons in PBKS’ colours, he ended up as the leading run-getter for the side. The right-handed batter also became the recipient of Orange Cap in 2020, notching up 670 runs with a hundred and five fifties in 14 matches.

Following the 2021 season, Rahul and the PBKS management decided to part ways with each other. Playing as a wicketkeeper batter, he hit 2548 runs with two centuries and 23 fifties in 55 matches. These numbers make him the leading run-getter for the team.

Also check: PBKS Team 2024 Player List

2. Chris Gayle

Chris Gayle (Photo Source: Twitter)

West Indies opener Chris Gayle was known for his allegiance to Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in IPL but he also played some spectacular innings for Punjab in his four-year stint with the franchise. Appearing in 41 matches for PBKS, he scored 1339 runs in 41 matches at a fine strike rate of 143.20.

Along with KL Rahul, Gayle reinforced Punjab’s top order for the first two seasons. In 2020, he scored 490 runs in 13 games at a remarkable strike rate of 153.60 and ended up as the sixth-highest run-scorer in the season. The star Caribbean cricketer hasn’t retired from the league but has also not appeared in it as a player after 2021.

3. Shaun Marsh

Shaun Marsh. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Shaun Marsh became a renowned name in the cricketing circles after his extraordinary batting display for PBKS in the maiden IPL season in 2008. The southpaw smashed 616 runs in 11 matches of the maiden edition of the league and became the highest run-getter and the first winner of the Orange Cap.

Marsh’s magnificent batting made him a star player in the cash-rich league. In 2011, the Australia left-hander showed up for PBKS again and put up scintillating shows with his bat. With 504 runs in 14 games at a strike rate of 146.51, he ended up as the fourth-highest run-getter in the competition.

In 2017, he featured in the league for the last time but couldn’t produce his best for Punjab. After witnessing his underwhelming performance, PBKS ended the association with him. In his nine-year-long career for Punjab, he accumulated 2477 runs in 71 matches at a strike rate of 132.74. These numbers kept him at the top of Punjab’s leading run-scorer chart until 2022.

Also check: IPL 2024 PBKS Retained and Released Players List

4. Glenn Maxwell

Glenn Maxwell (Photo Source: Twitter)

Glenn Maxwell currently plays for RCB in the IPL but there was a time when he used to be a vital part of PBKS due to his amazing batting talent. In 2014, Maxwell played his maiden season for PBKS and looked superb with his bat, accumulating 552 runs in 16 matches at a breathtaking strike rate of 187.75. The Aussie batter ended up as the third-leading run-scorer in the season and won the trust of the PBKS management.

Following that spectacular season, Maxwell struggled to do big for Punjab in the next few editions. In 2021, PBKS broke ties with him and after this move, he became a part of RCB in the auction. Serving Kings from 2014 to 2020, Maxwell scored 1383 runs in 70 matches at a strike rate of 157.69.

5. Yuvraj Singh

Yuvraj Singh (Photo Source: Twitter)

Yuvraj Singh captained Punjab in the first three IPL seasons. Under his captaincy, PBKS qualified for the knockouts in the maiden season. Leading the team from the front, he scored 299 runs in 15 contests at a strike rate of 162.50. After 2008, he didn’t look great in the next two seasons.

Days before the 2011 auction, PBKS released him and the India legend went under the hammer to find a new franchise. In 2018, he made a comeback in Punjab again but failed to justify his role, scoring only 65 runs in six innings of eight matches at a miserable average of 10.83 and a dismal strike rate of 89.04. Discussing his overall numbers for the franchise, the southpaw amassed 959 runs in 48 innings of 51 matches at an average of 22.30 and a strike rate of 127.86.

Also check: IPL 2024 Punjab Kings (PBKS) SWOT Analysis

6. David Miller

David Miller (Photo Source: BCCI)

South Africa batter David Miller made his IPL debut for Punjab in 2012 but it was 2013 when he won the trust of the PBKS management with his performance. Playing his second IPL season, he racked up 418 runs in 12 matches at a magnificent strike rate of 164.56. Against RCB, he played a 101-run knock off just 38 deliveries and recorded his maiden IPL ton.

In 2014, Punjab concluded their journey as runners-up and Miller chipped in with 446 runs from his bat in 16 matches at a superb strike rate of 149.16. The Protea left-hander was part of PBKS until 2019 and in those seven years, he scored 1974 runs in 84 matches at a strike rate of 139.40.

7. Axar Patel

Axar Patel (Photo Source: Twitter)

Axar Patel played for Punjab for four years from 2014 to 2018. Playing his debut IPL season in PBKS colours in 2014, he put up an impressive show with the ball. Picking up 17 wickets in 17 games at a frugal economy of 6.13, he ended up as the sixth leading wicket-taker in the competition.

After the 2018 season, PBKS decided to snap ties with Axar after witnessing his disappointing bowling performance. In his four-year stint with Punjab, the Gujarat-born player took 69 wickets and scored 740 runs in 73 matches.

Also check: IPL 2024: Strongest Playing XI for Punjab Kings (PBKS)

8. Piyush Chawla

Piyush Chawla (Photo Source: Twitter)

PBKS fans remember Piyush Chawla as the player who inflicted pain on their team in a Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) jersey, with a trophy-winning maximum in the 2014 IPL final. Before this incident, Chawla was a loyal PBKS servant who took 84 wickets for them in 87 matches played from 2008 to 2013.

His best came for the franchise in 2008 when he notched up 17 wickets in 15 matches and ended up as the joint-third-leading wicket-taker in the competition, along with three other players. In 2011, he exuded confidence with the ball again, grabbing 16 wickets in 12 matches at an economy of 8.12.

9. Mohammed Shami

Mohammed Shami. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Mohammed Shami has been performing exceptionally for Gujarat Titans (GT) since 2022. Before joining GT, he was a crucial part of PBKS from 2019 to 2021. Serving PBKS as the fast-bowling spearhead, he bagged 58 wickets in 42 matches at an economy of 8.25.

In 2020, he led PBKS’ bowling unit from the front, scalping 20 wickets in 14 games at an economy of 8.57. These numbers made him the leading wicket-taker for Punjab in the season. Following the 2021 edition, PBKS released Shami despite witnessing his standout bowling performances for them in the three seasons.

10. Sandeep Sharma

Sandeep Sharma (Photo Source: Twitter)

In 2013, 19-year-old Sandeep Sharma made his IPL debut for the Kings. The pacer impressed the PBKS team management with his disciplined bowling in the debut season, grabbing eight wickets in four matches at an economy of 7.43. In 2014, PBKS couldn’t lift the trophy but qualified for the final for the first and only time.

The paceman showcased his mettle with the ball to help PBKS have a memorable campaign. He got 18 wickets in 11 matches at an economy of 8.81 and ended up as the most successful bowler for the team in the season. His next notable performance for the franchise came in 2017. This time, he added 17 wickets to his profile in 13 matches and emerged as the best bowler for the side again.

11. Arshdeep Singh

Arshdeep Singh. (Photo Source: BCCI/IPL)

Arshdeep Singh has been a part of PBKS since 2019 and in these five years, he has looked decent with the ball. The speedster grabbed the limelight after his marvellous bowling performance in the 2021 edition. Showing up in 12 games, he took 18 wickets at an economy of 8.27.

In 2023, he again ended up as the most effective bowler for Punjab, claiming 17 wickets in 14 contests. However, his expensive economy of 9.70 brought him to the receiving end. Forgetting his previous season’s failure, Arshdeep will look to bolster Punjab’s fast-bowling unit confidently in the upcoming season.