IPL 2024: Three changes Punjab Kings should make to get back to winning ways

Punjab Kings suffered their 2^nd successive loss of the IPL 2024 season on Saturday to Lucknow Super Giants. Chasing 200 to win, Shikhar Dhawan was the only man who fought with the bat as his side lost by 21 runs. The campaign had begun well for PBKS with a win over Delhi before losing to Bengaluru and now Lucknow.

Lucknow Super Giants brushed away their rusty form to post a huge total of 199 runs on the board. Quinton De Kock scored a brilliant fifty while Nicolas Pooran (42) and Krunal Pandya gave the finishing touches with the bat.

Mayank Yadav then bowled with pace and fire to scalp three wickets to dent the Punjab run-chase. At one stage the visitors were well on their way to a win as they were scoring at around 10 runs per over. The loss of wickets at regular intervals came back to haunt them and cost them the game.

Three changes Punjab Kings should make: 

3. Chance for Sikandar Raza to show his talents once again

During the first innings, Liam Livingstone took a tumble on the boundary and injured himself. The loss of the English star could be a massive blow for the Punjab Kings side. This could be a blessing in disguise for Zimbabwean Sikandar Raza to stake his claim in the playing XI.

It will be a like-for-like replacement for Liam Livingstone, as Raza is also a devastating batter in the end overs. The veteran Zimbabwean also can surprise the batters with his spin bowling and ample variations with the ball. 

2. Time to bench Rahul Chahar and rope in Tanay Thyagarajan

 The IPL form of Rahul Chahar has been facing a steady decline for the last few years. The 24-year-old at one stage was touted as the next big Indian spin bowling hope. On Saturday the leg-spinner was smashed for 42 runs from his 3 overs with just one wicket to show for his efforts.

This could open the gates for experienced all-rounder Tanay Thyagarajan to make his IPL Debut. The 28-year-old is a very good left-arm spin bowler and also can give the ball a good whack.

1. Need to improve fielding 

One of the biggest areas of change that Punjab Kings needs is its fielding. It was a shambolic performance as easy catches were dropped on Saturday. Even during the game against RCB, the drop of Virat Kohli proved to be costly and ultimately cost them the game.

If the Punjab Kings hope to go past the league phase this year, they have to seriously work on their fielding. These lapses in concentration can come to haunt them later in the tournament against sides that will capitalize on such errors.