3 players PBKS got the best out of in IPL 2023
The Punjab Kings (PBKS) had another miserable year in the Indian Premier League (IPL) as they once again failed to qualify for the playoffs. This is now the ninth consecutive year in which Punjab have failed to make it to the playoffs. Captains, coaches, players and support staff, all have been changed but somehow, the results haven't.
This year, they finished eighth on the points table, having won only six out of their 14 games. Their inconsistent showings were always going to have an impact and so they did. One of the biggest reasons behind their poor run this season has been their bowling as the likes of Arshdeep Singh, Sam Curran and Kagiso Rabada failed to fire. They also made some questionable tactical decisions, which have played a huge part in their premature exit.
Yet, in a season that they would otherwise like to forget, they did well to extract the best out of a few players, something that they're not known for. Here, we look at three players that PBKS got the best out of in IPL 2023.
#1. Prabhsimran Singh
Perhaps the biggest positive for the Punjab Kings from IPL 2023 is the rise of the 22-year old Prabhsimran Singh. Having been with the franchise since 2019, he only got to play six games before this season despite his impressive showings in the domestic arena.
Yesterday’s knock from Prabhsimran was a very special one. The way he accelerated after his 50 and scoring 103 out of a total of 167, mind blowing stuff.
Plenty of young exciting talent on display in the IPL - Prabhsimran, Jaiswal, Jitesh Sharma, Tilak Varma , Rinku , Nehal… twitter.com/i/web/status/1… https://t.co/D0K7TWKmKE
However, this year, PBKS invested in the dashing opener and he repaid the faith that the team showed in him. He played all 14 games this season, ending with a tally of 358 runs, including a sensational century against the Delhi Capitals. His runs came at a superb strike-rate of 150.42, which shows the impact that he had at the top of the order. Only skipper Shikhar Dhawan scored more runs than Prabhsimran for Punjab in IPL 2023.
In Prabhsimran, PBKS have someone who can be a long-term prospect for them. There's no doubt about his talent and he's only going to get better with more exposure at this level.
#2. Liam Livingstone
Pundits have often criticized teams for sending their explosive hitters too late, when the equation is way out of hand. We have seen this with the Kolkata Knight Riders' usage of Andre Russell, who has often been left with too much to do. Even the best of strikers need some time at the crease and PBKS acknowledged this fact in IPL 2023 with their usage of the dangerous Liam Livingstone.
The Englishman played nine games this season, batting in the top four on eight occasions. He scored 279 runs at a phenomenal strike-rate of 163.16 and played two blinders against the Mumbai Indians and the Delhi Capitals. He also played a crucial innings against the Chennai Super Kings, which helped Punjab win the game. Livingstone was inconsistent but PBKS got it right by sending him up the order and having him face more deliveries.
#3. Jitesh Sharma
𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐬 𝐠𝐚𝐦𝐞 🤝🏻
#JazbaHaiPunjabi #SaddaPunjab #PunjabKings #TATAIPL | @SRazaB24 @jiteshsharma_ https://t.co/3vuoNjDugf
Jitesh Sharma was one of the finds of IPL 2022, having scored 234 runs at a brilliant strike-rate of 163.64. He then did well in the domestic circuit and even found a place in India's T20 teams for two assignments agaisnt New Zealand and Sri Lanka.
He was expected to be one of the most crucial players for PBKS in IPL 2023 and the Vidarbha wicketkeeper batter did not dissapoint. In 14 games this season, the dangerous striker scored 309 runs at an average of 23.77 and a magnificent strike-rate of 156.06.
It seems like he was given good role-clarity by the PBKS management as he was hardly moved up or down the order. He was used specifically as a finisher and some of the credit for his performances must be given to the management, who did not tamper with his position despite being infamous for doing that with many players in the past.