IPL 2023: “Punjab Kings lack depth in Indian batting”- Aakash Chopra

Punjab Kings has been one of the most inconsistent sides in the IPL despite having multiple match-winners in their squad. Former Indian batter Aakash Chopra believes the lack of depth in Indian batting will prove to be the biggest weakness for Punjab Kings in IPL 2023.

Punjab Kings have named star batter Shikhar Dhawan as their skipper for the upcoming IPL edition. While Dhawan has consistently scored runs in the Indian Premier League, the Punjab Kings have just got a couple of young Indian batters apart from Shikhar.

“When I see their Indian batting – Shikhar Dhawan, Jitesh Sharma and Shahrukh Khan. I don’t see depth in Indian batting. I am trying to figure out who could be the other batter,” Aakash Chopra said on his show ‘AakashVani’ show on JioCinema.

“This is how the balance gets spoiled because if you have only three Indian batters, you will have to play three overseas batters.You will play Liam Livingstone, Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Jonny Bairstow. If you have these as your top six and you keep Sam Curran at No. 7, how will you play Kagiso Rabada?” he pointed. 

Punjab Kings’ batting combination for IPL 2023

Shikhar Dhawan will clearly be the most crucial batter for Punjab Kings in IPL 2023. After letting go of Mayank Agarwal, Punjab Kings have got Shahrukh Khan and Jitesh Sharma as their key Indian batters.

Liam Livingstone, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, and Jonny Bairstow are the top 3 overseas batters for them. However, Bairstow hasn’t got NOC from ECB after suffering a freak injury. Thus, Punjab Kings might not get to play Bairstow in their XI.

Liam Livingstone will remain their key overseas batter in the playing XI. Rajapaksha too had delivered impressive performance in the limited opportunities he got in the last season. Punjab Kings, in the absence of Bairstow, might look to use Rajapaksha to strengthen their middle order. Sam Curran too can play a handy role in the middle order.

Prabhsimran Singh, Raj Bawa and Harpreet Brar too can provide strength to the batting lineup of Punjab Kings. While the Shikhar Dhawan-led side has got some really good overseas players, they certainly need to find the right combination and adjust their young batters in a manner that can help the team’s cause in IPL 2023.