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'Their engine has always been the problem': Irfan Pathan points out PBKS' weakness ahead of IPL 2023
Former cricketer Irfan Pathan analysed Punjab Kings and pointed out their main weakness ahead of IPL 2023.
Punjab Kings had a disappointing IPL 2022 season, finishing in sixth position and also missing out on the playoffs. Last season, the franchise managed to finish in sixth position, with seven wins, seven defeats and 14 points in total. The franchise made some smart additions during the IPL 2023 auction and also broke the bank for Sam Curran, who also became the most expensive player in IPL history. PBKS acquired the England all-rounder for ₹18.5 crores, after his exploits in the T20 World Cup, where he and England won the title.
Other than Curran, PBKS didn't splurge big on players and made some good buys. The franchise added Sikandar Raza ( ₹50 lakhs), Harpreet Bhatia ( ₹40 lakhs), Shivam Singh ( ₹20 lakhs), Vidwath Kaverappa ( ₹20 lakhs) and Mohit Rathee ( ₹20 lakhs).
Ahead of the upcoming season, former PBKS player Irfan Pathan had some valuable advice and pointed out their main weakness. "First thing, their engine has always been the problem. For many years their engine has kept changing. They have changed their engine almost as many times as the number of years the IPL has been played. I played 3 years for Punjab. There I have seen that if you hit the seam or impart proper back spin, you do get help. The sides of the ground are big. If you have got an idea of what length to bowler, it can make a big difference to the bowlers. And all the three bowlers - Sam Curran, Kagiso Rabada and Arshdeep Singh", he said, while speaking on Star Sports.
"They are quality bowlers. Two are left-armers and a right-armer who hits that full length hard, which is Rabada. So that makes a big difference, and I believe that this bowling unit among all the IPL teams, if you check based on availability, their names are right up there", he further added.
IPL 2023 is scheduled to begin on March 31, as Gujarat Giants face Chennai Super Kings in the season opener, at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. PBKS open their campaign against Kolkata Knight Riders on April 1, at the Mohali Stadium in Mohali.
