Last Updated on 9 months ago by Charbel Coorey

Cricket News: Analysis: Why Punjab Kings never seem to learn | PBKS IPL 2021 Analysis: Why do they keep struggling?

T20 cricket is a tricky format, for it moves so quickly that it makes one abandon the core principles of cricket that are essential for success, namely: consistency and balance.

Moreover, balance is developed over a significant period of time. Identifying the key players and sticking with them regardless of the results is what drives a team to success even in the shortest format of the game.

Yet, for reasons best known to none, no side adopts this methodology for a reasonable time period.

Perhaps it is because of the highly intense competitive nature of top-tier cricket leagues. But on some occasions, it seems to be led by an unending urge for change.

And the same malice has possibly led to Punjab Kings’ lukewarm performances in recent times. Backed by the presence of a top-class opening pair, a decent middle-order and a more or less decent bowling unit, the team should be doing much better than it is doing now.

And don’t get me wrong, they often seem to be getting in winnable situations. They aren’t being exactly outplayed by the opposition. But it is the composure that they lack to calmly get over the finishing line.

And, such sort of innate calmness only stems and thrives when the combination of a team is persisted with for a considerable period of time.

That is the very factor that PBKS have failed to hold on to in the last couple of years.

The core reasons for Punjab Kings continuing to struggle in IPL

Barring KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal, none of the players seem to have an assurance of consistent selection. Not even Ravi Bishnoi, whose skillful spin has made heads turn in recent times.

On the other hand, the likes of Nicholas Pooran who is getting the deserved opportunities doesn’t seem to be making the most out of it; perplexing for a player of his caliber and class.

So, are PBKS backing the wrong horses for the long race? Certainly not, because they don’t look like picking a horse to back in the first place.

Moreover, this isn’t an issue that can be attributed towards the drawbacks of a particular management. It looks like an issue that is ailing the entire franchise, possibly the main reason behind their collective failure of lifting a single IPL trophy over 13 years.

PBKS possibly need a new think-tank that is consistent with its philosophy. They have a very able leader in KL Rahul. They have a top-class Indian core with the likes of the skipper, Mayank Agarwal, Mohammed Shami and Bishnoi. Even Arshdeep Singh has grown by leaps and bounds recently.

They also have the services of Chris Gayle, who has a lot to offer even at this age. Even Aiden Markram can prove out to be a fine pick whereas Moises Henriques is a pretty good utility player as well.

Looking at the players individually, this team’s ceiling is quite high.

However, as a collective they seem to be missing a lot. One of the factors could be the absence of a formidable middle-order player who can carry the team on his own shoulders. Gayle is not a number 3 and nor has Markram been around for long. Pooran was slated to play that role but he has fallen short of the same too.

Yet, the entire idea around the selection of the final XI looks puzzled eventually.

None of their players, barring perhaps Rahul and Agarwal have played long enough for the team to get accustomed to the responsibilities expected from them.

The likes of Sarfaraz Khan and Shahrukh Khan have been playing regularly recently, but don’t they too require the presence of a seasoned pro in the middle to help them out?

PBKS have conceded too many games from winnable situations to not ponder upon the same now. Their best hunch could be to hold on to their current set of integral players and then supplement them with other capable individuals.

The best way would perhaps be to avoid the enticement of going after T20 specialists who have succeeded in some overseas leagues. Instead, focus on roping in a solid group of Indian players and augmenting their abilities through proven overseas performers.

Their primary responsibility should be bring about a player who assumes responsibility seamlessly in crunch situations and takes them home, time and again.

Such a scenario could only be developed by backing a group of players throughout the course of the season by vetting their overall talents, records, capability and adaptability in the concerned circumstances prior to the commencement of the tournament.

For now, their qualification chances are more or less over. Only a miracle can help the team script a fairytale of sorts, which looks further unlikely. But, this cannot be the template for seasons to come, if they wish to correct their historical wrongs starting from the mega auction!

Written by Tarkesh Jha. Follow Tarkesh on Twitter