IPL 2021: Four overseas players who will be confirmed starters for PBKS
Punjab Kings who are going to play with a new name in the IPL 2021 will be hoping to have a change in fortunes as well. They invested a lot of money in the recently held mini-auction. The Punjab franchise had a poor season last year, though some of their players performed wonderfully. Captain KL Rahul was the orange cap winner last season with 670 runs coming at an average of over 55.
Every team has to do a lot of brainstorming to decide the 4 overseas players who will be part of the playing XI. Punjab Kings has a lot of good contenders among the overseas picks. Let’s have a look at 4 such players who will be regular starters in IPL 2021.
Nicholas Pooran
First ball = Upper decker!!
You are kidding, Nicholas Pooran ? #BBL10 pic.twitter.com/LrJ37PQNgF
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 7, 2021
Nicholas Pooran is considered one of the cleanest hitters of the ball in modern cricket. He aggregated a total of 353 runs last year at an impressive strike rate of 169.71. He has shown his class as a brilliant fielder as well. Pooran will be a very important batsman in the middle order of Punjab playing XI this year. The Caribbean batsman is brilliant against spin and can tonk slower bowlers at will.
Dawid Malan
Punjab Kings have bought Dawid Malan at his base price of 1.5 cr INR in the IPL auction. He looks set to feature in top order for the team. Malan is currently the number 1 ICC T20I batsman and will look to prove his worth in IPL as well. Chris Gayle is also one of the contenders for top order but the Punjab franchise has been reluctant to use him regularly. He was one the most successful batsmen of the Punjab team last year. He could not play initial matches but made an immediate impact once he returns. Gayle scored a total of 288 runs in the 7 games he played last season at a strike rate of 137.14 and an average of 41.14.
Jhye Richardson
Jhye Richardson was bought by Punjab Kings this auction after paying a huge amount of 14 cr INR. He was the highest wicket-taker in Big Bash League and has performed well in international cricket as well. Punjab had released Sheldon Cottrell earlier and will be hoping that Richardson makes a good impact with the ball. He will be pairing up with Indian Speedster Mohammed Shami in the pace attack.
Riley Meredith
Safe to say Aussie quick Riley Meredith is pinching himself today after being picked up by the Punjab Kings in the IPL Auction overnight. Just listen to the excitement in his voice! ?#IPLAuction #IPL2021 pic.twitter.com/9uVmUU1MRq
— Chloe-Amanda Bailey (@ChloeAmandaB) February 19, 2021
Riley Meredith became the highest-paid overseas uncapped player after he was bought for 8 cr INR in mini-auction. The right-arm fast bowler has impressed with his pace in the Big Bash League. He can add strength to the bowling line up of Punjab Kings and can be effective in both powerplay and death overs.
