Αρχικές αστοχίες, ενίσχυση των Shreyas Iyer, Shashank Singh και Shedge

Punjab Kings (PBKS) have arguably amassed one of the strongest squads in IPL 2025 auction and have a strong team, at least on paper. The franchise, who are still on the hunt for their maiden IPL title, recruited the likes of Shreyas Iyer, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis among other big names in the mega auction. While the team does boast of a strong batting order, they have a major issue to deal with when it comes to the openers.

PBKS best batting line-up for IPL 2025

1. Prabhsimran Singh
2. Josh Inglis / Marcus Stoinis
3. Shreyas Iyer
4. Glenn Maxwell
5. Shashank Singh
6. Nehal Wadhera
7. Shreyansh Shedge

Opening woes for PBKS

Punjab Kings made a smart decision by retaining an opener in the form of Prabhsimran Singh ahead of the IPL 2025 auction. The batter, who has been associated with the side for years now, has the experience of opening for the team in the past and has a good track record at the top. Despite being used as an impact player multiple times in IPL 2024, he is one of the best and the only first-choice opener for PBKS.

PBKS face a hurdle in terms of finding a comfortable opening partner for Prabhsimran Singh. The team has three potential options. The first is Australian opener Josh Inglis will be tasked with a new role as he has majority of experience in batting at positions from number three onwards. PBKS also have the option of using young Priyansh Arya as an opener. The uncapped star sizzled in the Delhi Premier League (DPL) earlier this year and in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Another option that PBKS have is Marcus Stoinis. The opener has a stellar record while opening in the Big Bash League (BBL) and even has a century to his name while batting in that position.

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Power-packed middle-order ft. Maxwell, Stoinis

If there’s one area that PBKS have aced in IPL 2025 auction, then it is building a star-studded middle-order. The team’s new potential captain, Rs 26.75 cr buy Shreyas Iyer, is the side’s best number three option. The Mumbai batter, who has a vast experience of playing at no.3 and 4, has 3127 runs from 115 matches in IPL. PBKS’ best-find from IPL 2024 Shashank Singh is the best number four batter for the side.

The franchise managed to acquire the services of the destructive Australian duo of Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis – both batters who are no strangers to IPL or big hitting. ‘Big Show’ Maxwell has 2771 runs from 134 IPL games at a mind-boggling strike rate of 156.73. Ex-MI player Nehal Wadhera is expected to play the role of the floater and is likely to be shuffled in the batting order as per the team’s requirements.

Shedge carried out his role as Mumbai’s finisher to perfection in the recently-concluded Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy tournament. With a strike rate of 260+, he is one of the best talents to have emerged from the domestic tourney.