The Punjab Kings join the Indian Premier League 2022 with 23 new players acquired in the mega auctions. They are set to play from March to May, led by Mayank Agarwal. Below is a rundown of efforts taken by the team to prepare for the competition.
Punjab Kings roster for IPL 2022, aim to reach better position this season
Purple cap
The Kings had a poor performance in IPL 2021, winning 6 games and losing eight. Their final points ranking was 6th, and they did not qualify for the playoffs. Their best season happened almost eight years ago in 2014 when they only lost to the Kolkata Knight Riders in the final round.
There are three players in Punjab, who stood out to help the team achieve victory. They are predicted to win purple caps including Kagiso Rabada, Arshdeep Singh, and Rahul Chahar.
Kagiso Rabada is not a stranger to winning purple cap as he got one in IPL 2020 with 30 wickets. The Kings bought Rabada for 9.25 crores and will have him play as a bowler starting from the first-ever game.
Punjab took in Arshdeep Singh early in a mega auction. Singh has recorded 30 wickets in 23 matches to his belt and will play as a key bowler across Rabada.
Previously played for the Mumbai Indians, Rahul Chahar will play with Harpreet Brar showing off their spin attack on the field this upcoming new season.
Schedule, venues
A total of 10 teams will compete in the IPL 2022 and will play across 74 matches between the 65 days the competition is held.
The Kings will play from March 27 to May 22 either in Mumbai or Pune. Even so, the competition actually ends on May 29.
Punjab will face against the Royal Challengers Bangalore on the first day and end the competition by going against the Sunrisers Hyderabad.
The venue used in Mumbai is Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy, Wankhede Stadium, and Brabourne Stadium. In Pune, they are to play at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium.
Around 20 matches are each held in Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy, Wankhede Stadium, and 15 matches each at Brabourne Stadium and Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium.
Punjab Kings roster
The Kings retained two players in the team, Mayank Agarwal and Arshdeep Singh. The team will be led by Mayank Agarwal who will also play as a skipper. Agarwal was the team’s top retention with Rs. 12 crores.
Punjab Kings bought 23 players during the IPL 2022 auction and is the most active team at the event. Among the players they bought are Shikhar Dhawan, Kagiso Rabada, Jonny Bairstow, Rahul Chahar, and Shahrukh Khan. Liam Livingstone was also bought at Rs. 11.5 crores, which is the team’s top pick.
Punjab Kings full formation: Mayank Agarwal (c), Arshdeep Singh, Shikhar Dhawan, Kagiso Rabada, Jonny Bairstow, Rahul Chahar, Shahrukh Khan, Harpreet Brar, Prabhsimran Singh, Jitesh Sharma, Ishan Porel, Liam Livingstone, Odean Smith, Sandeep Sharma, Raj Bawa, Rishi Dhawan, Prerak Mankad, Vaibhav Arora, Writtick Chatterjee, Baltej Dhanda, Ansh Patel, Nathan Ellis, Atharva Taide, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Benny Howell.
Possible XI players: Shikhar Dhawan, Jonny Bairstow, Mayank Agarwal, Raj Angad Bawa, Liam Livingstone, Shahrukh Khan, Odean Smith, Harpreet Brar, Kagiso Rabada, Arshdeep Singh, Rahul Chahar.
Gian Chacko
Sports enthusiast with love for cricket, football and sports in general. Holds 10+ years of following and writing about sports and lately also betting.
