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'The talks they had with me...': Budding IPL star draws unforgettable lessons from Livingstone and Bairstow
With 437 runs from 14 matches, Liam Livingstone was the second-highest run-getter from the Punjab Kings franchise in IPL 2022.
Despite assembling a formidable unit in the mega auctions, Punjab Kings didn't have the season they would have hoped for. The team led by Mayank Agarwal finished sixth in the ten-team points table, securing seven wins in the 14 matches they played. However, if we look at individual performance England all-rounder Liam Livingstone did had a splendid season from the Punjab camp.
With 437 runs from 14 matches, Livingstone was the second-highest run-getter from the side. The all-rounder also hit four 50-plus scores during the course of the tournament and he was equally effective when asked to shoulder responsibility with the ball. Jonny Bairstow, who joined the league late, was another big name from the Punjab franchise. The wicketkeeper-batter, however, had a comparatively quieter season, completely opposite from what was expected from him.
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Shahrukh Khan, who has build a reputation of being a powerful striker of the cricket ball, was also part of the Punjab franchise. The 27-year-old didn't have a great season, as he could only manage 117 runs from eight innings and eventually lost his spot in the playing XI. However, the lack of opportunities didn't shake the confidence of the batter, who in a report in ESPNCricinfo was quoted saying: “Results might come and might not come, but I always bank on the process a lot.”
In fact while recalling the experience, Shahrukh explained how being part of the Punjab franchise and having constant chats with Bairstow and Livingstone benefitted his power-hitting. "Punjab Kings this year was definitely a power-hitting team from top to bottom, till [Kagiso] Rabada. Being amongst these guys, [you pick up] a lot of points at the nets, the way they bat and the way they talk to you," said Shahrukh. "Jonny Bairstow and Livingstone have helped me a lot in the nets in terms of how to keep hitting consistently. The talks they have had with me, I am definitely carrying it along for a long time in my cricketing career."
The 27-year-old also shed light on an innovative practice method deviced by Julian Wood, Punjab Kings power-hitting coach, which helped him tune his skills. "He uses heavy balls and bats to get some power and the bat-swing and to develop some strength in the forearm as well. Power-hitting is something that comes naturally to me, so I don't want to work too much on that, and I have my technique when I power it.
"So, I'm good on my own in terms of power-hitting, but Julian Wood helped me in holding my shape and stuff. The balls that he uses are heavy. [They are] much, much heavier than cricket balls and you can't imagine the weight of that, and when you hit a ball it won't travel. I took a few points, and that helped me."
