Among the eight franchises that have participated in every season of the Indian Premier League since its launch in 2008, only two have yet to secure a championship title: the Royal Challengers Bangalore and the Punjab Kings. While RCB has reached the finals on three occasions, PBKS has only made it to the final match once. Renowned Australian cricketer Adam Gilchrist has suggested that there are underlying reasons for the franchise's lacklustre performance in the IPL.

Gilchrist, who captained the team from 2011 to 2013, described the management during his tenure as "erratic," indicating that their actions hindered the team's advancement. He was acquired by the Punjab Kings, then known as Kings XI Punjab, in the auction before the 2011 season.

Given his successful track record, including leading the Deccan Chargers to victory in IPL 2009, he was a natural choice for captain. However, under his guidance, Punjab failed to qualify for the playoffs, and he announced his retirement from the IPL in 2013.

“There’s still the same ownership from my time as captain, and it was somewhat erratic at times, which may have been a significant obstacle for them for an extended period,” Gilchrist remarked during an appearance on the YouTube show Club Prairie Fire.

The former Australian wicketkeeper-batsman expressed optimism about the future under the leadership of Shreyas Iyer and new head coach Ricky Ponting. “I believe the partnership between Ricky Ponting and Shreyas Iyer will invigorate the franchise. They have collaborated effectively in the past, which will serve as a unifying force for their ownership. I think Ricky will bring stability to the team,” he concluded.

'Shreyas Iyer Orange Cap contender': Gilchrist

The three-time World Cup champion has forecasted that PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer will claim the Orange Cap this season. "I believe Shreyas Iyer will be the one to wear the Orange Cap by the end of the tournament. He is set to bat at number three. He has expressed his intention to move up the batting order and is embracing the leadership role for the team," stated Gilchrist.

Iyer, who guided the Kolkata Knight Riders to an IPL championship last year, was unexpectedly released by the franchise. The Punjab Kings, in need of a new captain following Shikhar Dhawan's retirement, seized the opportunity to acquire the right-handed batsman for an impressive ₹26.75 crore during the mega auction.

As the tournament approaches, Iyer has confirmed his position at No. 3 in the batting lineup. The Punjab Kings will face the Gujarat Titans in their opening match on March 25 in Ahmedabad.

Read Also: BCCI Official Reacts as Virat Kohli Fan Jumps Eden Gardens Barricade to Meet RCB Star During KKR's IPL Opener

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