- May 5, 2025
Let’s be real—when IPL 2024 began, how many of us imagined Punjab Kings finishing in the top two? Sure, we all love an underdog story, but PBKS generally spend their seasons languishing in mid-table purgatory. Now, here we are a few weeks down the line, and they look like they may just inch into the top two with a few games to go. So now the big question is: Are PBKS actually going to finish in the top two, or are they just having a purple patch? Let’s explore the issue.
Powerplay Punch: Arshdeep & Co. Turn Up the Heat
If there’s one part of the game that epitomizes Punjab’s rejuvenation, it’s the powerplay. Leading that charge is none other than Arshdeep Singh, who may have produced his best performance of the season against LSG. Getting the top three out early did not just set the tone; it reversed the game.
Arshdeep’s swing, precision, and aggression made it seem like he had cheat codes at his disposal. And it wasn’t just him—this time the bowling unit looked in unison, which has not always been the case for PBKS when assessing prior matches. I think the expert discussion was right when they said; This was ‘the best we have seen from the Punjab bowling unit outside of their KKR match.” This is not just an endorsement, but a clue that this team may have unlocked the bowling enigma that has thwarted them throughout the years.
Prabhsimran Singh: The Uncapped Star Stealing the Spotlight
Even though absolute headlines are reserved for the larger-than-life names like Dhawan and Livingstone, Prabhsimran Singh has been quietly establishing himself as the anchor to this batting unit. His three seventy-plus runs in the last three games (three consecutive fifties, yes!) put him in exclusive company, and he is only the second uncapped Indian to do so – Ruturaj Gaikwad in 2020.
What’s changed for him this season? His comfortable against spin in his middle overs of batting. This has been his Kryptonite in the past, but he is now milking spinners and still managing a strike rate of above 140. He is no longer just surviving against spin; he is now commanding it.
Depth, Flexibility & The Road Ahead
Let’s discuss strategy and scenarios now. PBKS has Delhi, Mumbai, and Rajasthan to go—a challenging task, but not insurmountable. And with two of those being at Dala, where they have looked solid, I am sure they have that in the back of their mind. If they can win two out of three matches, it will be more than a dream to finish in the top two.
Additionally, having middle-order depths with players like Badoni, who have over 300 runs at a strike rate of over 150, has added a new level of depth that they haven’t had in prior seasons. My good friend Speaker 3 even suggested moving him up the batting order, and it makes sense. You can’t hide a firecracker – it will eventually go off. Why not let him go off sooner?
Combine that with a bowling attack that’s finally finding rhythm and a batting line-up that balances aggression with reliability, and you’ve got a team that can go toe-to-toe with anyone. As Speaker 4 joked, they’ve been “flopping less than Australians at the beach”—a cheeky but fair way to say they’re finally delivering consistently.
But this is the IPL—nothing is guaranteed. Can they hold their nerve when it matters most? Or will old habits creep back in? One thing’s for sure: you’d be foolish to write them off now. Over to you, fans—do you think PBKS have what it takes to finish in the top two, or is this just another high before the heartbreak?
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