Published on: Mar 25, 2023 2:34 pm IST|Updated on: Mar 28, 2023 11:22 am IST
The Punjab Kings (PBKS) will be very much desperate to end their long-awaited drought and finally win the prestigious title in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL 2023) season. Incidentally, the Punjab Kings have also failed to qualify for the playoffs during the last few editions of the Indian Premier League and thus, they definitely need to up their game both in the batting as well as bowling departments. With a new captain in Shikhar Dhawan, Punjab Kings will start off their IPL 2023 campaign against Kolkata Knight Riders on 1 April, 2023 at the Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali.
Just before the start of IPL 2023 season, the Punjab Kings suffered a huge blow as their premier batsman Jonny Bairstow was ruled out of the entire tournament due to fitness issues. This means that PBKS captain Shikhar Dhawan will open the batting with the young Prabhsimran Singh. Sri Lanka’s big-hitting batsman Bhanuka Rajapaksa will most likely bat at the No 3 position in this batting line-up followed by the likes of Liam Livingstone and Shahrukh Khan. Jitesh Sharma after a really impressive season in IPL 2022 will be the Punjab Kings wicket-keeper batsman this year.
Punjab Kings have two all-rounders in the form of Raj Bawa and Rishi Dhawan, but the former is expected to be the starter in the playing 11. The Punjab IPL franchise will also miss the services of their overseas fast bowler Kagiso Rabada in the first game against Kolkata due to his participation in the South Africa vs Netherlands ODI series. In his absence, Nathan Ellis will get the opportunity in the pace bowling attack alongside Arshdeep Singh and Sam Curran. PBKS will also play right-arm leg spinner Rahul Chahar as their frontline spin bowling option alongwith Livingstone.
1. Shikhar Dhawan (C) 2. Prabhsimran Singh 3. Bhanuka Rajapaksa 4. Liam Livingstone 5. Shahrukh Khan 6. Jitesh Sharma (wk) 7. Sam Curran 8. Raj Bawa 9. Rahul Chahar 10. Arshdeep Singh 11. Nathan Ellis
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Tags: IPL 2023PBKSPunjab Kings