IPL 2023: Match 21, Punjab Kings (PBKS) Predicted Playing XI vs Lucknow Super Giants

Punjab Kings. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)

After suffering a defeat at the hands of Gujarat Titans in their last match, Punjab Kings are all set to take on Lucknow Super Giants on April 15 at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow.

Ahead of that, the Shikhar Dhawan-led side will have to sort out their batting woes. Players in the middle order are scoring runs but consistency has been a massive problem.

When it comes to the bowlers, there’s a lot of room for improvement. Against Lucknow, things are not going to be easy for them and thus, they will have to come up with a proper game plan. So, what can that be? Will there be any changes in the XI? Let’s dissect –

Here’s Punjab Kings’ predicted XI against Lucknow Super Giants

Openers: Shikhar Dhawan (c), Prabhsimran Singh

Prabhsimran Singh and Shikhar Dhawan. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)

Skipper Shikhar Dhawan is in phenomenal form at the moment. In four matches so far, the Southpaw has smashed 233 runs and is at the top of the IPL Orange Cap list. In the last match, the 37-year-old couldn’t make the most of the opportunity but he is someone who can change the game at any time. Thus, against Lucknow, he will be eager to get back into runs and lead by example.

Prabhsimran Singh on the other hand is known for giving quick starts. Like Dhawan, Singh failed to step up in the previous game as well but has the capability to do well. In four matches so far, the 22-year-old has smashed 83 runs at a strike rate of 169.38. All he has to do right now is take his game to the next level.

Middle Order: Matthew Short, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Shahrukh Khan

Jitesh Sharma (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)

Matthew Short played some brilliant cricket in the last match against Gujarat Titans. The 27-year-old smashed 36 runs off 24 deliveries but unfortunately, couldn’t make the most of his start. Thus, the 27-year-old will be gunning to score more at Ekana Stadium, which usually favours the batters to dominate.

Jitesh Sharma is also playing a similar brand of cricket and just like Short, he has failed to convert his starts into a big total. Thus, this is one area that the team needs to address immediately as playing an attacking brand of cricket is important but it is also important to stick to the crease and finish games.

When it comes to Shahrukh Khan, the 27-year-old hasn’t been able to perform at his very best. However, in the last match, he showed a lot of promise, scoring 22 runs off just nine deliveries. He needs to play a similar brand of cricket but also will have to make sure that he finishes games for PBKS on regular basis.

All-rounders: Liam Livingstone, Sam Curran

Sam Curran. (Photo Source: BCCI/IPL)

Liam Livingstone is finally set to play his first game for Punjab Kings in the ongoing season. The all-rounder initially didn’t get clearance from ECB but he is now ready to return and can play a very important role for the Shikhar Dhawan-led side in the coming matches.

Overall, he has played 23 matches in the IPL, scoring 549 runs at a strike rate of 166.87. With the ball, he picked up six wickets last season and can prove to be crucial in the middle overs.

When it comes to Sam Curran, the PBKS management spent INR 18.50 crore to sign the young all-rounder. However, so far, Curran hasn’t lived up to his potential. Despite so, they are very likely to back him. In death overs, he can prove to be really dangerous but the 24-year-old will also have to step up with the bat.

Bowlers: Harpreet Brar, Rahul Chahar, Kagiso Rabada, Arshdeep Singh

Kagiso Rabada. (Photo Source: Twitter/PunjabkingsIPL)

Spinner Harpreet Brar and Rahul Chahar will be very important for Punjab at Ekana Stadium. Ravi Bishnoi has already proved that the surface can help the spinners and thus, these two will have to bowl accurately in order to keep the home side under pressure. However, so far, neither of them has impressed anyone, thus, there is a lot of room for improvement at the moment.

The pace duo of Kagiso Rabada and Arshdeep Singh has done a decent job so far. Rabada in his first match of the season picked up one wicket while giving away 36 runs in his four overs whereas Arshdeep has picked up seven wickets so far and is the joint third-leading wicket-taker of the tournament at the moment.

With the new ball, he has been brilliant and has the capability to destroy Lucknow’s top order featuring KL Rahul, Quinton de Kock and Kyle Mayers.

Punjab Kings (PBKS) Probable Playing 11:

Shikhar Dhawan (c), Prabhsimran Singh, Matthew Short, Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Shahrukh Khan, Sam Curran, Harpreet Brar, Rahul Chahar, Kagiso Rabada, Arshdeep Singh

Punjab Kings (PBKS) Probable Impact Players:

Harpreet Singh Bhatia, Rishi Dhawan, Baltej Singh, Atharva Taide, Mohit Rathee