IPL 2021: Punjab Kings updated squad for UAE leg

Punjab Kings started the 2021 season with a new name, a new logo and a new jersey. However, their form and inconsistency were prevalent even in this new season. The issues which had plagued them in the past came once again to haunt them in the 2021 season. Despite the issues, Punjab will hope that they can turn around their campaign in the UAE. 

Punjab Kings have played eight matches so far in the 2021 season. Their narrow win against Rajasthan Royals in their season opener was followed by three consecutive losses. They had a comprehensive win against defending champions Mumbai Indians but lost two more matches before the season was postponed. Their win against Royal Challengers Bangalore was worthy enough to lift their spirits up for the future. 

Coming into the UAE leg, they have six matches to make a turnaround. Five wins in six games will assure them a playoff spot. This season can go anyway from here, but a big positive would be the fact that their skipper KL Rahul will be available. Had the tournament not been postponed, Rahul could have missed a few games as he was diagnosed with appendicitis towards the end of the first leg. 

Big Australian signings are gone, what is next for Punjab Kings? 

Jhye Richardson and Riley Meredith, two Australian pacers who were paid big money by the Punjab Kings for this season, are set to miss the second leg along with Dawid Malan, the English batsman who is ranked no. 1 in T20Is. Despite these absentees, Punjab has managed to find good enough replacements who should be able to fit right in. 

Experienced leg-spinner Adil Rashid has signed for the franchise. Australian pacer Nathan Ellis has also joined them along with Aiden Markram, the South Africa batter who was the last replacement announced. Punjab Kings will resume their 2021 season with a game against Rajasthan Royals on September 21. 

Punjab Kings updated squad for IPL 2021 second leg: 

KL Rahul (c and WK), Chris Gayle, Mayank Agarwal, Nicholas Pooran, Mandeep Singh, Sarfaraz Khan, Deepak Hooda, Prabhsimran Singh, Mohammed Shami, Chris Jordan, Darshan Nalkande, Ravi Bishnoi, Murugan Ashwin, Arshdeep Singh, Harpreet Brar, Ishan Porel, Aiden Markram, Adil Rashid, Shahrukh Khan, Moises Henriques, Jalaj Saxena, Utkarsh Singh, Fabian Allen, Saurabh Kumar, Nathan Ellis