IPL team profile: Can Shreyas-Ponting duo turn the tide for Punjab Kings ?

The tag of being underachievers has stuck on with Punjab Kings for a decade now ever since they ended as runners-up in the 2014 edition. The task is, hence, an onerous one for Shreyas Iyer and Ricky Ponting, the new captain and coach respectively, to buck the trend with at least a play-offs spot in the upcoming one.

The ownership had done everything in the book, from changing the brandname from erstwhile Kings XI Punjab to wholesale changes in personnel, but it failed to bring about a change in fortunes. They had flattered to deceive on several occasions and truth be told, the management’s lack of patience had also worked against the outfit gelling together with time.    

This time around, the expectations are seriously high thanks to the presence of Shreyas as leader – who showed a Midas touch as captain of KKR last season and also in domestic scenario, apart from being in a redhot form with the bat. The return of Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis alongwith the captain, two retained batters Prabhsimran Singh and Shashank Singh gives their top order enough gravitas though there seems to be a lack of worthy back-up in lower middle order.  

Priyanshu Arya (16 T20 games) and Vishnu Vinod (6 IPL matches) are the only back-up batting options, which means any injury or loss of form in the top order could spell trouble.

 Much like KL Rahul’s time with the red shirts, the expectations will hence be scary from their Rs 26.75 crore buy Shreyas. With 3127 IPL runs at an average of 32-plus, his ability to anchor the innings and handle spin will be crucial for his team. His experience and tactical acumen could well provide Punjab with a stable captain, something they have lacked in recent years – while the chemistry between him and Ponting since their Delhi Capitals days may really help.

Apart from Shreyas, the other biggest catch for PBKS in the mega auction was leggie Yuzvendra Chahal at a hefty Rs 18 crores. Currently the highest wicket taker in the league with 205 wickets at an average of 22.44, the canny customer may play a key role in their campaign with left-arm spinner Harpreet Brar and Maxwell providing him some support.

Their pace attack, meanwhile, has good depth as Arshdeep Singh remains their go-to bowler in both powerplay and the backend of the innings and the addition of Marco Jansen makes it a potent left-arm pace duo. There are other impressive names like Lockie Ferguson, Afghanistan’s Azmatullah Omarzai, pace-off bowling of Stoinis while the Indian options are Yash Thakur, Kuldeep Sen and Vijaykumar Vyshak.

The pace-heavy approach gives PBKS multiple options to exploit different conditions, but the question that begs to be asked is with a cap on four overseas players in the playing XI, a number of foreign players may remain under-utlised.

However, If PBKS can manage their squad effectively and capitalise on the leadership of Iyer and Ponting, they may eventually seize the day.

Full Squad

 Shreyas Iyer (captain), Shashank Singh, Prabhsimran Singh, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Nehal Wadhera, Harpreet Brar, Vishnu Vinod, Vyshak Vijay Kumar, Yash Thakur, Josh Inglis, Lockie Ferguson, Marco Jansen, Azmatullah Omarzai, Sai Kishore, Harnoor Pannu, Kuldeep Sen, Priyansh Arya, Aaron Hardie, Musheer Khan, Suryansh Shedge, Pyla Avinash