DC vs PBKS: Graeme Smith wants Punjab Kings to include Bhanuka Rajapaksa instead of Odean Smith- They will be a lot balanced
India Today
Smith started his Indian Premier League (IPL) by winning the Player of the Match award, but has strained a wee bit since then.
Former South Africa captain Graeme Smith reckoned Odean Smith has flattered to deceive for the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the 2022 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). After being bought at a price of INR 6 crore, Smith started his IPL sojourn by winning the Player of the Match award against the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) after his unbeaten eight-ball knock of 25.
Since then, the right-handed batter has scored 26 runs at an average of 8.67. Apart from his four-wicket haul against five-time IPL champions Mumbai Indians (MI), Smith has struggled with the ball as well. In one of the games, Rahul Tewatia smashed Odean Smith for two back-to-back sixes and helped Gujarat Titans win off the last ball.
Instead of Odean Smith, Graeme Smith advised PBKS to rope in Sri Lankan left-hander Bhanuka Rajapaksa. The veteran was of the opinion that Rajapaksa’s inclusion would lend more balance to the Punjab-based team.
“Odean Smith hasn’t been able to set the tournament on fire. You are getting into the stage of the competition where you don’t want to be chopping and changing your combination, but with the inconsistency that Punjab have shown and not all the players have put their hands up, they have got to look at the options that can strengthen the team.
“And I like the option of Rajapaksa. If he can add that value of a left-hander, Punjab will be a lot more balanced,” Smith was quoted as saying to Cricket.com.
Rajapaksa has played three games in IPL 2022 and has scored 83 runs at an average of 27.66 and a strike rate of 230.55. But after PBKS’ match against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on April 3, he was dropped. In 108 T20 matches, the left-hander has notched 1995 runs with 10 half-centuries to his name. He can also bowl handy medium pace, having picked up 27 wickets in his T20 career.
As far as PBKS are concerned, they are placed at sixth with six points and a net run rate of 0.109. Mayank Agarwal and Co. will next face the Delhi Capitals on Wednesday, April 20 at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai.
