PBKS keeps date with power-hitters

Chandigarh: Punjab Kings didn’t mind breaking their bank to bolster their power-hitting options, and splurged Rs 11.50 crore on swashbuckling English batsman Liam Livingstone, before adding West Indian all-rounder Odean Smith to their arsenal for Rs 6 crore on the second day of the IPL mega auction in Bengaluru on Sunday.
Later in the day, they won the race to acquire U19 World Cup star Raj Angad Bawa for Rs 2 crore.
In the first round of Sunday's auction proceedings, Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings showed intense interest with Punjab Kings for Livingstone, before Sunrisers Hyderabad and Gujarat Titans jumping into the aggressive bidding war.
Eventually, Punjab bagged him for the jaw-dropping amount. Livingstone was with Rajasthan Royals in the previous season and has now become the highest-paid overseas player. He had a great 2021, where he was the ‘Player of the Tournament’ while playing for Birmingham Phoenix in the inaugural edition of The Hundred.
Punjab then had the last laugh after another intense bidding war for acquiring Odean Smith’s services. Smith's good showing with bat and ball in the ODIs against India attracted attention from Lucknow Super Giants too. Despite Hyderabad and Rajasthan trying to get the deal in their favour respectively, Punjab stood their ground.
“I think, it is not just about the recent performances, we all know he (Odean) is an upcoming talent and he has showcased his power, bowling skills and also his batting skills and we saw that on display against India here in the one-dayers,” PBKS coach Anil Kumble said.
“So we have been tracking the players for a while and we are very glad that someone like Odean as an all-rounder for us we have been able to secure, so really happy with that player onto Punjab,” he added.