Robin Uthappa, a former Kolkata Knight Riders and India cricketer, has advised Punjab Kings to make the best use of uncapped wicketkeeper-batter Vishnu Vinod ahead of the IPL season 2026. The kid has previously played for the Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Delhi Capitals, and has been signed by PBKS for the upcoming season.
Uthappa stated that someone like the youthful stumper-batter would be an excellent addition to the two-time runners-up’s batting lineup, and may very well be the performer who leads the team to their first title in the premier competition. He believes that Punjab’s batting unit lacks depth, and that adding Vishnu Vinod will help them achieve that by maximising their first-inning totals and chasing huge objectives.
“Vishnu Vinod is a really exciting signing for Punjab Kings, and I genuinely hope he gets regular opportunities in the IPL. We’ve only seen glimpses of his ability during his stint with Mumbai Indians, but he’s got phenomenal talent. His inclusion adds depth to the middle order and even offers a potential fast-bowling option. There’s a lot of value he can bring to this setup,” Uthappa said via JioStar.
PBKS need a backup for Yuzvendra Chahal: Abhinav Mukund
Meanwhile, former cricketer Abhinav Mukund has also opined that the fitness concerns surrounding star leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal after the latter’s absence from the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and then the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy hint at the need to get a backup on board. Mukund suggested that the likes of Praveen Dubey or Cooper Connolly may be able to provide that option, however, reliability on Chahal remains heavy.
“Punjab Kings didn’t need much heading into the auction, having already invested heavily earlier. The only concern is Yuzvendra Chahal not featuring in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy — so it’s unclear if they have enough backup for him. They’ve added Praveen Dubey, a leg-spinner from Karnataka, and Cooper Connolly, who’s an exciting left-handed all-rounder capable of batting anywhere from three to five. That versatility definitely adds value to their middle order,” Mukund expressed.
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