Punjab Kings have been disappointing this season: Wasim Jaffer

Punjab Kings (PBKS) has five wins in 11 league matches and are at the eighth position in the IPL 2022 points table. They need to win the remaining league matches with a big margin to qualify for the playoffs. In the ongoing fixture, they are facing Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at the Brabourne Stadium. Ahead of this league match, former cricketers Wasim Jaffer and Deep Dasgupta shared their views on the form of PBKS.

Jaffer thinks the Kings looked like a solid team after the completion of the auction, but have faltered again in their performance. He reckoned that the team’s net run rate is far behind the others due to their disappointing performances. The former batter further added that Rabada has taken wickets, but the likes of Arshdeep Singh and Rahul Chahar have failed to deliver performances, which were expected from them.

“After the auction, they were one of the best teams on paper, consisting of power-packed players. However, selectively they have not delivered. They find themselves in the same position, where they have to win all three matches to qualify for the playoffs. Along with winning the remaining matches, they have to improve their net run rate as well, and certainly, they have been a little disappointing this season. Rabada has taken wickets, but Rahul Chahar has not performed as per expectations. Arshdeep has been economical but has not taken wickets. None of the bowlers have been able to win matches for the team,” said Jaffer on Sky247.net presents ‘Not Just Cricket’ Show on CricTracker.

Kagiso Rabada used as a wicket-taking bowler for Punjab Kings: Deep Dasgupta

Dasgupta reckoned that Rabada has improved his lengths with the new ball which has helped him to take wickets in a consistent manner. He thinks the PBKS team management has used Rabada well this season. The former wicketkeeper further added that the Protea pacer is one of the best bowlers in the world, and hailed his mindset to be a key wicket-taker for the team.

“Until the last few editions, Rabada could not take enough wickets with the new ball, but has improved his lengths and has been in fine wicket-taking form. His use has been different as well this year. Generally, he bowled most of his overs in the middle and death overs until last year. But listen, Rabada is one of the best bowlers in the world, so obviously, the class has been displayed when he has tried to take wickets. The mindset is such that he has been used as a wicket-taking bowler throughout the tournament,” said Dasgupta.