IPL 2021: Punjab Kings (PK) Team Profile Overview, Stats, Auction Analysis, Season-Wise Performance, Full Schedule and Squad

The Punjab-based franchise is all set to take the field in this year’s Indian Premier League (IPL) with a new name, Punjab Kings (PK). Despite having a new logo as well, their captain remains the same as KL Rahul has been given an extension to lead the side in 2021. 

Punjab Kings (earlier Kings XI Punjab) played some heart-winning matches last season in the United Arab Emirates. They won some brilliant games during the opening half and the business end of the tournament. However, they failed to qualify for the playoffs after losing some close encounters in the middle. 

Punjab Kings: Team Overview

PK continues to be a batting-heavy side with the likes of T20 specialists such as KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Chris Gayle and Nicholas Pooran. They have strengthened their batting lineup, even more, this time. However, Punjab’s bowling let them down in 2020 and they have tried to add some powerhouses there as well.

Strengths

As mentioned, PK’s strengths remain their batting unit only. It won’t be wrong to say that they have one of the best top four batsmen in this IPL season. Not just that, they have several back-up options as well in the reserves in case anyone is required. Moreover, they have great foreign players in the side with numerous T20 giants ruling all over the world.

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Weaknesses

Punjab’s death bowling remained a significant concern for them in the last season. They have added several names in their side to get the job done in this edition. However, only time will tell how things will turn out for them in 2021. Moreover, KL Rahul is still an inexperienced captain who failed to deliver at crucial stages in IPL 2020. It would be interesting to see how he does in the upcoming tournament. 

Punjab Kings: Season-wise 

Kings XI Punjab: Team Stats

Batting

• Most Runs: Shaun Marsh (2477)
• Most 100’s: Hasim Amla & KL Rahul (2)
• Most 50’s: Shaun Marsh (20)
• Best Batting Average: KL Rahul (54.91)
• Best Strike Rate: Nicolas Pooran (165.39)
• Most 6’s: David Miller (91)
• Highest Individual Score: KL Rahul (132*)

Bowling

• Most Wickets: Piyush Chawla (84)
• Best Bowling Figures: Ankit Rajpoot- 4-14-5
• Most 4 Wickets: Lakshmipathy Balaji & Andrew Tye (3)
• Most 5 Wickets: Ankit Rajpoot (1)

Here is the list of Punjab Kings IPL 2021 fixtures, venues and match timings

Kings XI Punjab: 2021 Auction Buys and Trades

The Anil Kumble-headed side went to the auctions with the highest purse of whopping INR 53.2 crore. As a result, they were the most aggressive bidders during the entire session. After letting go their last year’s costly buys like Glenn Maxwell and Sheldon Cottrell, they several expesive players in this season as well.

PK’s hottest buys included Jhye Richardson (INR 14 crores), Riley Meredith (INR 8 crores), Shahrukh Khan (INR 5.25 crores) and Moises Henriques (INR 4.20 crores). They also managed to steal the current top-ranked T20I batsman, Dawid Malan for the base price of INR 1.5 crores. The Punjab-based franchise also added Jalaj Saxena – INR 30 lakhs, Utkarsh Singh – INR 20 lakhs and Saurabh Kumar – INR 20 lakhs to complete their squad.

Punjab Kings Full Squad for IPL 2021

KL Rahul (C), Arshdeep Singh, Chris Gayle, Darshan Nalkande, Harpreet Brar, Mandeep Singh, Mayank Agarwal, Mohammad Shami, Murugan Ashwin, Nicholas Pooran, Sarfaraz Khan, Deepak Hooda, Ishan Porel, Ravi Bishnoi, Chris Jordan, Prabhsimran Singh, Jhye Richardson, Riley Meredith, Shahrukh Khan, Moises Henriques, Dawid Malan, Fabian Allen, Jalaj Saxena, Saurabh Kumar and Utkarsh Singh

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