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IPL franchise Punjab Kings made shocking changes ahead of the IPL 2023 mini-auctions as the franchise replaced newly appointed skipper Mayank Agarwal with veteran Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan. The franchise also sacked Anil Kumble and Co. and replaced them with a fresh batch of coaches.
Also Read: IPL 2023 Mini Auction Live Updates
While Punjab Kings is all geared up to make one final bid during IPL 2023 mini-auctions on Friday, one of the most prominent T20 figures and Ex-Punjab Kings player has criticised the franchise for their tendency to chop and change. One of the most explosive T20 batter and IPL legend, Chris Gayle has slammed the franchise and backed Mayank Agarwal during an interaction arranged by Jio Cinema ahead of the IPL 2023 mini-auction.
“Mayank will definitely get picked. I would be very disappointed if he doesn’t. He is such an explosive batter. He has probably hurt himself at not being retained by Punjab after what he sacrificed for the franchise and to be treated like this is more disappointing. I hope franchises still believe in him and give him good money. He is a fantastic team man as well,” Gayle said.
Explaining the issue with the Punjab franchise, the Caribbean legend claimed that the team's tendency to make so many changes is completely ridiculous. “They chop and change man, it is ridicule. You keep chopping and changing, they never have a set eleven whether you win a match. Sometime they would go with the same team but so often players don’t feel comfortable (with too many changes).
When they do get a chance and players feel extra pressure as they know if they don’t perform, they will be sacked from the squad. What sort of message you are giving here, you won’t see any player flourishing in the camp,” added Chris.
Talking about the franchise, Punjab Kings has the remaining pursue of INR 32.2 crore, with total 9 slots available which includes three overseas slots. Franchise has already retained the likes of Jonny Bairstow, Shikhar Dhawan (c), Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Liam Livingstone, Rishi Dhawan, Arshdeep Singh and others.