Punjab Kings’ journey in the Indian Premier League 2022 has almost come to an end after their humiliating 14-run defeat against Delhi Capitals. With six wins in 13 games, they are at number seven in the points table. With only mathematical permutations keeping them in contention, simply winning the last game won’t work for the team.
Even if they beat Sunrisers Hyderabad by a big margin, they will have to depend on Royal Challengers Bangalore, Kolkata Knight Riders, and Delhi Capitals to qualify for the playoffs. Their dismal net run rates make things trickier, as both Delhi and Kolkata boast vastly superior net run rates.
In short, only a miracle will break their unwanted streak of getting knocked out for the eighth successive season. It looks like a change in the name hasn’t brought a change in the fortune, as it’s the same old issues that are bogging them down.
Describe your batting patterns in #IPL2022 with a video?
Punjab Kings: pic.twitter.com/UwARKuZCoY
— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) May 16, 2022
Until last season, KL Rahul used to be the face of the franchise. While Rahul was the most prolific run-getter during his stay, his sluggish strike rate often divided opinions. He was released from the side, and the franchise then assembled a squad full of power-hitters. They took a punt on Odean Smith, splashed money on Jonny Bairstow and Liam Livingstone, and found a seasoned opener in Shikhar Dhawan.
It looked like an incredibly strong team on the paper but Punjab messed it up again. They had lost quite a many games they had no business losing, and are now standing on the brink of elimination. Against Delhi Capitals, their much-vaunted batting order crumbled like a deck of cards, failing to chase a below-par target of 160.
@PunjabKingsIPL sort this mess out for next season how many more times will we choke from comfortable positions in the game.
Also if batting first is our strength why bat second.
Lastly, please sack Anil Kumble he’s a terrible coach and we won’t progress under him
— Aarif Mamoojee 🇵🇸 (@AarifMamoojee) May 16, 2022
Furious with the defeat, fans didn’t mince words while criticising the head coach for the defeat. This is Anil Kumble’s third season at the club, and his strategy, at times, has been baffling. The former Indian spinner is at the receiving end of brickbats for bottling the playoffs, despite having a well-balanced team at his disposal.
Kumble, the coach, will have a lot of explaining to do to the Punjab Kings management. They got the squad they wanted at the auction. And have still failed to make the play-offs. Came close two previous season, but this time, with a better team have performed even worse.
— Venkata Krishna B (@venkatatweets) May 16, 2022
Kings X1 Punjab should first sack Anil Kumble as coach. He hasn't won anything significant as Team India coach and he is doing worse with Punjab. Secondly they should get rid of Mayank of not only captaincy but as a player. He is total failure.
— lfc (@crisp1sh) May 16, 2022
1. PBKS have only 12 quality specialist overs (Rabada, Arshdeep, Rahul Chahar) in the entire squad. No one else has a thinner bowling lineup (except MI).
2. Odean, Brar, SRK – 3 big buys flopped miserably.
3. Mayank's poor form.
Can't blame any of these (except 1) on Kumble. https://t.co/5mJ6D4g6F6
— Cricketjeevi (@wildcardgyan) May 16, 2022
No way people blaming Kumble for playing Bairstow in place of Rajapaksha.
Many blunders but that isn't one. Imagine the response if he benched Bairstow.— ∆🏏 (@CaughtAtGully) May 16, 2022
(Featured Image Credit: Punjab Kings)
