IPL 2022: We have decided to give ourselves more time in the middle – Jitesh Sharma on PBKS’ batting approach

Punjab Kings have adopted a batting approach, which is to go bang-bang from the get-go in the ongoing IPL 2022. Players like Jonny Bairstow, Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma, and Shahrukh Khan are adopting a strategy of, ‘see the ball, hit the ball’. But, things haven’t gone as planned for the Mohali-based franchise as they are missing a batter in their line-up, who could play an anchor’s role.

PBKS were skittled out for a paltry score of 115 runs against Delhi Capitals at the Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai on Wednesday after none of their batters could get going on a sticky pitch. Jitesh Sharma, who top-scored for the team with 32 runs, added the players had a meeting and they have decided to re-access their batting approach in the upcoming matches.

“We have decided only one approach for this tournament, which is to play attacking cricket. We probably have not been able to apply it based on the situation we are in,” said Sharma in the post-match press conference.

“We just had a meeting about it. The player sat down and talked about the issue in hand. As you can see that everyone in the line-up is a match-winner, and we are waiting for one-two people to click in a game.”

“We have decided that we will give ourselves some time to settle in the game and play long innings and gain back the confidence that we have lost,” Sharma revealed.

There is no doubt that Punjab Kings has one of the strongest batting line-ups in the IPL but they need to play with more maturity. They can not enter the game with the same mindset of going hard at the opposition bowlers without analyzing the pitch and match situation. Thus, their batters need to play a bit cautiously in the remaining matches.

In fact, it must be noted that PBKS batters have gone hot and cold this season despite the pyrotechnics they possess. The team’s captain Mayank Agarwal also admitted they are losing too many wickets too early in the ongoing season.

He said after the game, “We didn’t bat and bowl well, we just need to move on from today. We have been losing too many wickets too early, that’s a concern.”

Punjab Kings will now look to bounce back stronger as they will next face defending champions Chennai Super Kings at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Monday.