IPL 2022 Auction: Punjab Kings Auction Picks, Full Squad Best Starting 11

IPL 2022 Auction: Punjab Kings had the most impressive auction and we have given them a rating of 9. They did have the biggest purse (Rs 72 crore) going into the auction. But with it came the responsibility of spending it wisely and building a formidable squad. In the end, they gathered a 25 member squad who could potentially challenge for the title.

Punjab Kings badly needed a reset with just 2 playoff appearances from 14 seasons. They have covered almost all the holes that could have been filled. They splashed the cash on Liam Livingstone who was bought for a whopping INR 11.5 crore. The Englishman became the most expensive overseas buy in IPL 2022 auction.

They broke the bank for Shikhar Dhawan (INR 9.5 crore), who could be the potential captain. Besides, Punjab also picked the big-hitting Odean Smith after a bidding war with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).

IPL 2022 Auction: PBKS Full squad

Retained Players

Mayank Agarwal (12 crore)

Arshdeep Singh (4 crore)

Name	Role	Base Price (INR)	Auction Price (INR)
Shikhar Dhawan	Batsman	2 crore	8.5 crore
Kagiso Rabada	Bowler	2 crore	9.5 crore
Liam Livingstone	Batsman	1 crore	11.5 crore
Sharukh Khan	Batsman	40 Lakh	9 crore
Odean Smith	All-Rounder	1 crore	6 crore
Harpreet Brar	All-Rounder	20 lakh	3.8 crore
Rahul Chahar	Bowler	75 lakh	5.25 crore
Ishan Porel	Bowler	20 lakh	25 lakh
Nathan Ellis	Bowler	75 lakh	75 lakh
Sandeep Sharma	Bowler	50 lakh	50 lakh
Rishi Dhawan	All-Rounder	50 lakh	55 lakh
Raj Bawa	All-Rounder	20 lakh	2 crore
Prerak Mankad	Batsman	20 lakh	20 lakh
Vaibhav Arora	Bowler	20 lakh	2 crore
Ben Howell	All-Rounder	40 lakh	40 lakh
Bhanuka Rajapaksa	Batsman	20 lakh	50 lakh
Jonny Bairstow	Wicket-keeper	1.5 crore	6.75 crore
Atharva Taide	All-Rounder	20 lakh	20 lakh
Writtick Chatterjee	All-Rounder	20 lakh	20 lakh
Baltej Dhanda	Bowler	20 lakh	20 lakh
Ansh Patel	All-Rounder	20 lakh	20 lakh
Jitesh Sharma	Batsman	20 lakh	20 lakh
Prabhsimran Singh	Wicket-keeper	20 lakh	60 lakh

IPL 2022 Auction: SWOT analysis of Punjab Kings

Strength: Top Order

As they say, the cream is at the top for Punjab Kings. Dhawan and Agarwal form a lethal opening pair. They provide solidarity at the top and are good at playing spin. The 36-year old, who was a part of the Delhi Capitals in the last two seasons, was also the highest run-scorer for them in 2020 and 2021. Dhawan scored 587 runs at an average of 39.13 in 2021 and 618 runs at 44.14 in the 2020 season.

The opening duo will look to set a platform for the explosive middle-order to unleash. In Liam Livingstone, Jonny Bairstow, Odean Smith, and Sharukh Khan, PBKS could easily be the best six-hitting team. They have also good overseas backups in Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Nathan Ellis, and Benny Howell.

Weakness: Pace Attack

Punjab King’s bowling attack lacks a bit of pedigree. While they have snapped Kagiso Rabada to lead the pace attack, there is inexperience in the bowling lineup which could be easily exploited.

Punjab will bank on Rabada and Sandeep to deliver in the powerplay overs. Otherwise, there will be immense pressure on Arshdeep Singh and the two spinners in the middle overs.

Ishan Porel, Nathan Ellis, and Odean Smith have the potential to rattle the opposition. Punjab would need one of them to step up otherwise the good work of the batters will go in vain. They faced a similar problem in IPL 2021 as well.

Opportunity: Will the English pair lift PBKS?

Punjab Kings had to address the vulnerability of their middle-order last season and they did in some style by bagging two of the world’s most destructive power hitters. Bairstow is a proven commodity in IPL but the same cannot be said for Livingstone.

Livingstone appeared in five IPL 2021 matches for the Rajasthan Royals, scoring 42 runs. He was dropped from the team after a string of poor performances before being reintroduced, but he failed to demonstrate his skills and talent in the league. Nevertheless, he deserves the price keeping in mind what he offers at the table. He is also one of a rare kind who can bowl both off-spin and leg-spin.

Threat: Availability of players

Before the IPL 2022 began, reports were rife that English players won’t be available for the entire IPL 2022. But the BCCI confirmed that English players will be available for the entire tournament. However, Bairstow who is part of the Test squad vs West Indies will miss the initial stages of IPL. This also means PBKS will miss the services of Odean Smith who is likely to be part of the white-ball squad vs England. Players from Sri Lanka, and Australia will also leave the IPL midway.

IPL 2022 Auction: Punjab Kings Best Starting XI

Playing XI: Mayank Agarwal, Shikhar Dhawan (c), Jonny Bairstow (wk), Liam Livingstone, Sharukh Khan, Odean Smith, Harpreet Brar, Kagiso Rabada, Rahul Chahar, Arshdeep Singh, Sandeep Sharma/ Ishan Porel