Punjab Kings (PBKS) are gearing up for their second home game in the IPL 2024 season, set to take place at the newly inaugurated Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur on Tuesday, April 9, against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). In anticipation of this clash, PBKS star Jonny Bairstow expressed his determination to make an impact against his former IPL team.
Having spent three fruitful seasons with Sunrisers Hyderabad from 2019 to 2021, Bairstow was acquired by Punjab Kings during the IPL 2022 auction for a notable sum of INR 6.75 crore. His tenure with Sunrisers was marked by impressive performances, amassing 1,138 runs from 28 matches. Notably, his standout season in 2019 saw him rack up 445 runs from just 10 matches, boasting an average of 55.62 and a striking strike rate of 157.24. Bairstow’s formidable opening partnership with David Warner posed a formidable challenge to opposing bowlers.
Reflecting on his time with Sunrisers Hyderabad, Bairstow fondly recalled the cherished memories and friendships cultivated during his stint with the franchise. Despite now donning the jersey of Punjab Kings, Bairstow emphasized his commitment to delivering a strong performance against his former teammates.
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“I have some amazing memories with SunRisers Hyderabad. It was a special time, it was my first time in the IPL with them. So, playing against them is always an opportunity. Times move on and you play for new franchises. I’ll be looking to put my best foot forward. I’m with Punjab Kings now but it’s always good to see some old friends,” shared Jonny Bairstow in a video released by PBKS on their official platform.
“Our fans are brilliant!” 😍
Jonny talks about facing old friends, coming back to Mullanpur, and appreciating the #SherSquad. ❤️#SaddaPunjab #PunjabKings #JazbaHaiPunjabi #PBKSvSRH pic.twitter.com/a5RAdEUJX3
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) April 9, 2024
Having previously experienced the electrifying atmosphere at their home ground, Punjab Kings are eager to replicate their winning momentum from their previous home fixture against Delhi Capitals. Jonny Bairstow expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support received from the fans during their victorious outing against Delhi and urged them to once again rally behind the team in large numbers for their upcoming clash against Hyderabad.
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“We obviously had the first game of the competition for us where we got a win against Delhi. Hopefully, we’ll be able to build on that. We then played three away games, we’ve won two and lost two. We had fantastic support on Game 1. You were brilliant and came out in numbers and we hope to see you in numbers again for our next four games at home. Your support means a lot to us. We’ll make sure we try our best for you,” added Jonny Bairstow, extending an invitation to the fans to join them at the stadium and continue their unwavering support.
