Punjab Kings are probably the show stoppers this season: Niall O' Brien

In the last three editions of the Indian Premier League (IPL), the Punjab Kings (PBKS) finished at sixth position each time on the table. However, the team is off to a very good start in the 2022 edition, with two wins in three league matches under the leadership of Mayank Agarwal. In the previous outing this season, PBKS secured a 54-run victory over the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by posting a total of 180 runs.

In the IPL 2022 auction, the PBKS team management availed the services of quality overseas players like Liam Livingstone, Kagiso Rabada, and Jonny Bairstow. The former Ireland cricketer Niall O’ Brien lauded the attitude of the Punjab Kings players, as they boast an average of 65.7 runs in the power-play overs (before the game vs GT), which is the best among all the teams. He said they are probably the show-stoppers of this season, and can entertain fans the most due to the presence of talented T20 cricketers.

“Punjab Kings are probably the show-stoppers this season and may entertain us the most. Apart from excellent hard-hitters, they have a good bowling unit as well in the presence of Rabada,” said Niall O Brien on Sky247.net presents ‘Not Just Cricket Show’ on CricTracker.

The former Ireland cricketer spoke on the performance of Punjab Kings in the first two weeks of the tournament and advised the side to keep doing, what they do, and they will eventually reap the benefits as the season progresses. He claimed that the PBKS head coach Anil Kumble and the support staff will be very happy with the performances of the team.

“If you had given Anil Kumble, owners, and the backroom staff two wins from the first three matches with a fresh new-look side ahead of the season, they would have taken that,” Niall added.

Jonny Bairstow is a complete batter in white-ball cricket: Niall O’Brien

Niall O’Brien also praised the England wicket-keeper batter, Jonny Bairstow, and termed him as a complete player in white-ball cricket, with equal proficiency against the pacers as well as the spinners. He said Bairstow will absolutely love the leadership of Anil Kumble and will look to enhance his skills by learning from the legend of the game.

“Jonny Bairstow is a class act and is a destructive batter on his day. He plays well through the off-side, is a brilliant player of the short ball, and is excellent against spin. Under Anil Kumble, he will absolutely love that, as he feeds off the legend of the game,” Niall added.