Punjab Kings (PBKS) have a strong lineup ahead of the IPL 2024 as the franchise will be directed by Shikhar Dhawan and will hope to end its long wait of 10 years to reach the top 4.
Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan analyzed the PBKS bowling attack while talking about the advantage the Mohali-based franchise has after the arrival of Harshal Patel in the team. Harshal Patel was bought for a whopping sum of Rs 11.75 crore at the auctions and was the most expensive Indian player at the auctions.
Irfan Pathan feels that players like Harshal Patel will add a lot of balance to the team like the other two pacers; Kagiso Rabada and Arshdeep Singh are also in the team and have international experience. He said adding two spinners, Rahul Chahar and Harpreet Brar, will also strengthen the spinner department with five bowlers and then if they play Liam Livingstone or Sikandar Raza, they can be the sixth bowling option for the franchise.
Punjab Kings are hoping to win their first IPL title. They reached the final once in 2014, but have failed to reach the top 4 since then.
“With the addition of Harshal Patel to the team, you can now play with Kagiso Rabada, Arshdeep Singh and Harshal Patel. Now these three fast bowlers can play in different positions and situations and can play there. All three have international experience and if there is a bowler like that in your franchise, then you will get a strong bowling line-up.” said Irfan Pathan on Star Sports
“Then you add the spinners, if Rahul Chahar performs well then he is brilliant. Harpreet Brar comes to you as an all-rounder, so you have five bowlers in the line-up and then batsmen like Liam Livingstone or Sikandar Raza can also bowl, so you have a sixth bowling option.” he added.
Watch: Irfan Pathan analyzes Punjab Kings’ bowling attack in the upcoming IPL season
.@IrfanPathan & @Jatinsapru believe that he @PunjabKingsIPL They seem strong enough to break their Top 4 spell this coming #IPLOnStar!
The adition of @harshalpatel23 to the central help of strong rhythm @SDhawan25 Lead your team to qualification?
Don’t miss this incredible talk! pic.twitter.com/HewyzFZiF9
– Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) February 20, 2024
Punjab Kings also bought some good foreign players like Chris Woakes and Rilee Rossouw and engaged the services of players like Liam Livingstone, Sikandar Raza, Kagiso Rabada, Jonny Bairstow and Sam Curran. Punjab Kings’ foreign battery looks very strong and can be tough competition for other franchises. They also have Indian powerhouses like Shikhar Dhawan, Prabhsimran Singh, Arshdeep Singh, Jitesh Sharma and now Harshal Patel has also joined the team.
The Indian Premier League is scheduled to begin during the third week of March and will last until the last week of May. Punjab Kings hope to at least make it to the top 4 and this team has the strength to qualify for the top 4 in IPL 2024. Shikhar Dhawan is expected to lead the team towards its first IPL title as it is one of the three teams. who have not managed to win a title since the tournament’s inauguration in 2008.