Adil Rashid’s inclusion is sure to add some much-needed experience to the Punjab Kings bowling arsenal, which also has plenty of promising youngsters in their ranks.
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Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Punjab Kings (PBKS) have opted for an interesting move by roping in the services of English spinner Adil Rashid for the remainder of the 2021 edition. This startling new development comes on the back of Australian pacer Jhye Richardson’s unavailability for the UAE leg due to injury. Rashid and Nathan Ellis have been named as replacements for Richardson and Riley Meredith who is similarly not available.
The English spinner’s inclusion will certainly bring some much-needed experience to the PKS bowling attack. Rashid is now the third leg spinner in the roster after Murugan Ashwin and Ravi Bishnoi. He will further enjoy an opportunity to be guided by legendary spinner Anil Kumble, which might well work in his favour going into the upcoming edition of the T20 World Cup.
The 33-year-old is expected to join the PBKS squad soon. He will be joined by countrymen Dawid Malan and Chris Jordan. Rashid will be available for the entirety of the 2021 IPL campaign.
The English spinner is currently joint second alongside Stuart Broad on the list of leading wicket-takers for England in T20Is, which is certainly impressive. Jordan is the only bowler ahead of Rashid on that list. The all-rounder enjoys a lead of eight wickets over the spinner at the moment. Rashid has been a regular member of the English white-ball team. He was also a vital performer in the national team’s 2019 ODI World Cup triumph. The leg-spinner is well capable of opening the bowling in T20 games, with England captain Eoin Morgan regularly handing him the new ball during the nation’s tour of India in 2021.
The 33-year-old recently finished as the leading wicket-taker for the Northern Superchargers in the inaugural season of The Hundred. Rashid accounted for 12 dismissals, boasting an economy rate marginally above seven in the franchise-based tournament.
Rashid has formerly played in franchise tournaments all around the world. This includes the Big Bash League, the Bangladesh Premier League and the T10 League. This however will be his first foray in the IPL when he takes the field for PBKS upon the season resumption. With the remainder of IPL 2021 shifted to spin friendly tracks of Dubai, the acquisition of a wily performer like Rashid could prove to be a massive boost come September when they resume their campaign against Rajasthan Royals.
PBKS recently announced a new addition to their squad, roping in Australian sensation Nathan Ellis. Ellis set the T20 World ablaze as he became the first male cricketer ever to pick up a hat-trick on T20I debut. The pacer claimed figures of 3/34 on debut against Bangladesh in August 2021.
The youngster was also recently named in the reserves squad for Australia for the 2021 T20 World Cup. Ellis’ addition is certainly a significant one considering the damage he is capable of. The pacer was one of the standout performers of the 2021 edition of the Big Bash League (BBL). He was the leading wicket-taker for his franchise Hobart Hurricanes. The fast-bowler accounted for 20 wickets in just 14 games.
