PBKS vs RCB: Why is Sikandar Raza Not Playing Today IPL Match? Check PBKS Playing XI

Surprisingly, the Punjab Kings (PBKS) have dropped their in-form overseas all-rounder Sikandar Raza for their sixth match of Indian Premier League (IPL 2023) against the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) being hosted at the Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali. Things panned out in an incredible manner for the Punjab Kings during their previous game of the ongoing T20 competition as they defeated Lucknow Super Giants by a margin of 3 wickets. The Punjab Kings are currently slotted at the fifth spot with 3 wins from 5 matches in IPL 2023.

PBKS vs RCB: Why is Sikandar Raza Not Playing Today IPL Match?

During the toss, it was revealed that Zimbabwe’s all-rounder Sikandar Raza is not included in the PBKS playing XI for this PBKS vs RCB IPL 2023 match on Thursday. This change looks very much surprising as Sikandar contributed with a match-winning knock of 57 runs off 41 balls that included 4 fours and 3 sixes to help Punjab Kings register an exciting victory over Lucknow Super Giants. He is still part of the five substitute players out of which one can be used as an Impact Player at any moment in the game. However, the Punjab Kings cannot bring Raza as the Impact Player because they are already playing four overseas players in their starting XI, Liam Livingstone, Nathan Ellis, Matthew Short and Sam Curran. For this game against Royal Challengers Bangalore, hard-hitting batsman Liam Livingstone will be playing his first IPL 2023 match.

” We will bowl first, did well in the last game and we’ll take some confidence, conditions will not change a lot. Shikhar is getting closer, but he’ll miss out today. He’s a quality player, but the younger lot will have to shape up, Livingstone is back and we have Ellis back in place of KG,” said Punjab Kings stand-in captain Sam Curran during the toss.

PBKS Playing XI

1. Atharva Taide
2. Matthew Short
3. Harpreet Singh Bhatia
4. Liam Livingstone
5. Jitesh Sharma (wk)
6. Shahrukh Khan
7. Sam Curran
8. Rahul Chahar
9. Harpreet Brar
10. Nathan Ellis
11. Arshdeep Singh