NEW DELHI: Punjab Kings coach Sanjay Bangar has shed light on the challenges faced due to the unexpected departure of key England players for international duty in the critical phase of IPL 2024.
In a press conference after their final league match, Bangar revealed that the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) had initially assured the availability of their players for the entire IPL season, but changes in the tournament's schedule disrupted these plans.
"The ECB had made it clear that all the players will be available. It is just that it so happens that the tournament got slightly extended, I would say, because of multiple reasons. Everybody was in a similar position but we lost those English players," Bangar stated after Sunday's game.
The departure of England players, including Jos Buttler, Jonny Bairstow, Will Jacks, Phil Salt, Liam Livingstone, and Sam Curran, has significantly impacted several teams as these players left for the T20I series against Pakistan starting on May 22. For Punjab Kings, this meant losing their captain, Sam Curran, among others, just before crucial matches.
With Curran's departure, Jitesh Sharma stepped up as captain for the first time on Sunday. Despite posting a strong total of 214 after electing to bat first, Punjab Kings were defeated by Sunrisers Hyderabad, marking a disappointing end to their campaign.
Bangar highlighted that the absence of key international players was a significant setback but not the sole reason for their underwhelming season.
"For us, even losing Livingstone with a niggle around his knee, the ECB pulling him out. Even KG (Kagiso Rabada) had an infection and he had to go back (to South Africa). Those things coupled together meant that when we came to the last two matches, we were short of players of international pedigree and experience. That hurt us but that is not the sole reason why our season was below par," he explained.
The departure of these international stars has left a noticeable gap in several teams, impacting their performance at the crucial juncture of the tournament. Punjab Kings, like many others, have had to navigate these challenges while striving to maintain competitive form.
1/10:Abhishek, Klaasen shine as SRH down Punjab Kings
<p>Read more on TOI Sports</p>Agencies
2/10:SUPERB SHOW
<p>Indian batsman Abhishek Sharma smashed 66 as Sunrisers Hyderabad kept their hopes alive for a top-two finish in the IPL league stage with a four-wicket win over Punjab Kings on Sunday.</p>Agencies
3/10:ORANGE ARMY
<p>Chasing 215 for victory, SRH, who are already among the top four teams to have made the play-offs, reached the target with five balls to spare at their home.</p>Agencies
4/10:CUMMINS' ARMY
<p>The former champions, led by Pat Cummins, have 17 points from 14 matches after their win aginst Punjab Kings.</p>Agencies
5/10:NOT MY DAY!
<p>Left-handed Abhishek, who has been a breakout young Indian star in this edition with 467 runs including three half-centuries, took charge after Travis Head departed for a first-ball duck.</p>Agencies
6/10:HALF TON
<p>Abhishek reached his 50 in 21 balls and hammered five fours and six sixes in his 28-ball blitz to set up the chase.</p>Agencies
7/10:SOLID STANDS
<p>Abhishek put on an attacking stand of 72 with Rahul Tripathi, who smashed 33, before Nitish Kumar Reddy and Heinrich Klaasen steadied the innings and hit back.</p>Agencies
8/10:SUPER KLAASEN
<p>Klaasen smashed 42 before he got out in the 19th over and Sanvir Singh steered the team home.</p>Agencies
9/10:PRABH ON FIRE
<p>Punjab Kings, who exited the play-off race early and extended their wait for a first IPL title, posted 214-5 as Prabhsimran Singh hit 71 off 45 balls to lay the foundations for the total.</p>Agencies
