Ahead of the IPL 2023 auction, Punjab Kings (PBKS) have named veteran opener Shikhar Dhawan as their captain while appointing Trevor Bayliss as coach.
Since the inception of the IPL in 2018, PBKS have failed to lift the coveted trophy. In fact, they have made it to the final only once back in 2014.
With the change in the team’s leadership, Punjab Kings co-owner Ness Wadia is hoping that the combination of Dhawan and Bayliss will steer the franchise to an elusive IPL title.
"The expectation from them is to take us to top four and then hopefully win the Cup. Dhawan and Trevor's rich experience and knowledge should help us.
"It is a good combination. Trevor comes with a good track record with England and in the IPL. With all their experience combined, we are hoping it will culminate into results that Punjab need and deserve," Wadia quoted as saying by PTI.
Punjab Kings have finished sixth in the last four seasons. In the 2022 edition, PBKS failed to register two consecutive victories in the league stage, which led to their early exit.
Ness Wadia said the team has to find a way to be more consistent.
"It is not frustrating (the team's below par performances). It is a lot of learning. We have been millimetres away in the past and it involves little bit of luck as well and that has not gone our way in recent times. Consistency plays a big role. We surely need to be more consistent."
Ahead of the player retention deadline on November 15, the co-owner added: "We will try and keep the core group same as much as possible. We have to make sure we do correct analysis of what is required to take the team forward. It is a work in progress."
The BCCI has already confirmed that the inaugural Women's IPL will be held in March 2023, prior to the men's tournament.
Wadia said the franchise is evaluating its participation in the Women's IPL.
"Women's cricket has done phenomenally well and a good example of that is pay parity (that BCCI introduced recently). WIPL will grow from strength to strength and we are evaluating to be a part of it," he added.
(With PTI inputs)
