IPL 2021: 3 changes that can get Punjab Kings back on track

1. Stop experimenting

Shami, Bishnoi, Arshdeep and Jordan have to be their first choice bowlers in almost all games

Punjab are one game away from completing half of their league fixtures this season. And in this time, they have made a lot of changes to their bowling line-up. Apart from Mohammed Shami and Arshdeep Singh, all the bowlers have been uncertain of their place in the side.

PBKS started the season with Jhye Richardson and Riley Meredith in place of Chris Jordan and Moises Henriques. Jordan should have been an automatic selection to the final XI, given his performances last year. The team think-tank, instead, decided to go with their new big-money acquisitions.

After just three games, both Richardson and Meredith were dropped and Henriques got his chance. Jordan made it into the playing XI only in the sixth game.

Leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi did not feature in the first four games, another bizarre decision given how well he bowled for PBKS in his debut season in 2020. Jalaj Saxena and Fabian Allen even got a go before the young Bishnoi.

Given how their season has progressed, the Punjab Kings management should simply stick to their best XI and back them to win games.

While the batting line-up can do with Dawid Malan replacing a rusty Pooran, their bowling line-up must be the one they played in their game against the Kolkata Knight Riders. With Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh and Chris Jordan as their pacers and Ravi Bishnoi as their principal spinner, Deepak Hooda can chip in as a part-timer. With their bowling order sorted out, Punjab must rotate between Jhye Richardson, Moises Henriques and Fabian Allen based on playing conditions.

If the Punjab Kings can commit to these modifications, they should theoretically be a much better side and might just start winning games again.