IPL 2024: Punjab Kings (PBKS) are yet to win a title since the inaugural edition of the IPL. PBKS have a dismal record in qualifying for the playoffs in their Indian Premier League journey. They managed to qualify only two of their 16 participating campaigns.
In the inaugural edition, they finished second on the table but lost to CSK in the second semi-final. The Mohali-based franchise made it to the finals of the competition in 2014 but they surrendered at the hands of Kolkata Knight Riders in the high-voltage encounter.

Since then, they haven't been able to produce a spark in the next nine seasons. Despite having quality players at their disposal, they failed to operate as a team in clutch moments, which saw them dig their own grave, more often than not.
It remains to be seen how Shikhar Dhawan and Co. will approach the new season. PBKS' think-tank was quite active in the IPL 2024 auction as they made eight signings to strengthen their squad. They will have to rely on their bowlers to get desirable results. Let's take a glimpse at their strongest playing XI for the next season.
Punjab Kings' top-order looks sorted out with proven customers in their arsenal. Skipper Shikhar Dhawan is the second leading run-getter in the IPL with 6617 runs including 2 centuries and 50 fifties. The senior pro will be looking forward to leading the batting attack by example and would also be willing to make bold decisions as a captain, like changing batting orders, rotating bowlers and employing unconventional field settings to create pressure.
His partner Prabhsimran Singh burst onto the scene with his impeccable century in IPL 2023 against Delhi Capitals. His match-winning century knocked Delhi Capitals out of the competition. PBKS will be giving the 23-year-old a license to showcase his mettle this time. The right-handed batter scored 422 runs in 20 appearances including 1 century and a fifty.
Liam Livingstone is best known for his performances in IPL, BBL, and PSL. While he is primarily known for his hard-hitting abilities, his bowling adds another dimension to his game, making him a proper all-rounder in T20 cricket.
Meanwhile, Sikandar Raza was roped in by Punjab Kings at his base price of INR 50 lakh at the IPL 2023 auction. The Zimbabwean international played 7 games and scored 57 runs and took 3 wickets. He just started to get the hang of things in the IPL and will be looking forward to bringing the best out of himself in the next season.
The Mohali-based franchise snapped up Ashutosh Sharma for his base price of INR 20 lakh at the IPL 2024 auction. The 25-year-old scored 419 runs in 15 T20s in the domestic circuit, laced with four fifties at an impressive strike rate of 197.64.
The Madhya Pradesh will be raring to make his IPL debut this time and make his presence count as a proper middle-order batter. Next comes Jitesh Sharma who will be keeping the wickets for the team.
Jitesh Sharma has been with the franchise since 2022 and has played 26 games so far, scoring 543 runs at a strike rate of 159.24. His quick scoring rate just tells us that he has the potential to change the complexion of the game. PBKS have a powerful bowling line-up and will be posing serious threats to the opposition teams this time around.
They will rely on their big-money signing (INR 11.75 crore) Harshal Patel to deliver the goods in the upcoming season. Besides that, they have a world-class bowler, Kagiso Rabada as well. Arshdeep Singh will be offering his work rate in the powerplay and the death overs whereas Harshal Patel can be highly effective in the slog overs.
Kagiso Rabada is capable of taking key wickets and providing crucial breakthroughs whereas Nathan Ellis who took 17 wickets in 15 games will be raring to rip through the opposition as well.
Shikhar Dhawan (c), Prabhsimran Singh, Liam Livingstone, Sikandar Raza, Ashutosh Sharma, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Harshal Patel, Harpreet Brar, Kagiso Rabada, Nathan Ellis, Arshdeep Singh.
Shikhar Dhawan, Jitesh Sharma, Jonny Bairstow, Prabhsimran Singh, Liam Livingstone, Harpreet Bhatia, Rilee Rossouw, Shashank Singh, Chris Woakes, Vishwanath Pratap Singh, Ashutosh Sharma, Tanay Thyagarajan, Atharva Taide, Rishi Dhawan, Sam Curran, Sikandar Raza, Shivam Singh, Prince Choudhary, Harpreet Brar, Arshdeep Singh, Kagiso Rabada, Nathan Ellis, Rahul Chahar, Vidwath Kaverappa, Harshal Patel