With just two uncapped retentions, Punjab Kings have made their intentions crystal clear ahead of the upcoming IPL auctions. They want a full revamp and want to make quality modulations to the side that has somehow consistently underperformed over the last three years. They started off well in the last three-year cycle but somehow they lost steam and could never really recover.
In a bid to bolster the team’s core, Punjab Kings will also be keeping their RTM options open so that they can get the right balance in the squad. With that being said, here are four players for whom PBKS might exercise the RTM cards ahead of the IPL auction for:
1. Arshdeep Singh
The left-arm seamer has proven to be a very handy option for India and Punjab Kings
before. However, it was the price of Arshdeep that make Punjab rethink their strategies as they eventually allowed Arshdeep to hit the auction shelf. However, they still have four RTM’s one of which can always be used on this experienced fast bowler.
2. Jonny Bairstow
This possibly is going to be a certain call for PBKS as the destructive pair of Jonny Bairstow and Jos Buttler has been terrorizing the shortest format of the game. With that being said as Bairstow was released by PBKS, they will come after him with the RTM flailing wildly in the auction. It goes without saying that Bairstow is a destructive force and PBKS would be
erring if they let him slide.
3. Kagiso Rabada
The South African quick has made life quote tough for the batters in the center. He is
brutally fast and he is a wicket-taker. From the 80 matches that he has played in, he has claimed 117 wickets. Sadly, for Rabada, the last two seasons have been slightly silent as he has managed only 18 wickets from 17 matches. However, it is just a matter of one good
game and Rabada can completely flip the game. Also alongside his wicket-taking knack, he can strike a few big heaves with the bat as well.
4. Liam Livingstone
The hard-hitting English opener, Liam Livingstone is a rocking phenomenon in the shortest format of the game. Even though in the last season, he could only score 111 runs from seven matches, yet Livingstone’s exploits in the preceding two seasons were explosive.
In 2022, he racked up 437 runs while clubbing 279 runs from 9 matches at a strike rate of 163.16. With the sheer brutal force that Livingstone comes in with, that simply is another reason why PBKS should go for him.
