IPL 2023: Match 27, Punjab Kings (PBKS) Predicted Playing XI vs Royal Challengers Bangalore

Punjab Kings. (Photo Source: BCCI/IPL)

Punjab Kings (PBKS) looked in great touch in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023. They are placed in the fifth position on the points table with six points in five games. After facing two consecutive defeats, they made a comeback in their last match against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). Clinching the game by two wickets with the help of Sikandar Raza’s all-round performance, they claimed their third win of the season.

In the absence of regular captain Shikhar Dhawan, Sam Curran led the side from the front by bagging three wickets in his four-over spell. Along with these two key players. Shahrukh Khan also played his role efficiently with his crucial cameo of 23 runs off just 10 deliveries. These plucky displays will embolden their confidence to deliver their best in the upcoming games and take the team to the Playoffs.

Their next clash will be against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in their den Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) Stadium. Before the game, their skipper Dhawan will undergo a fitness test and chances of him making it to the playing XI against Challengers are high.

Here’s Punjab Kings’ predicted XI against Royal Challengers Bangalore

Openers: Atharva Taide and Shikhar Dhawan

Shikhar Dhawan. (Photo Source: BCCI/IPL)

Atharva Taide might get his second game of the season despite failing to score any runs in the match against Super Giants. Prabhsimran Singh’s failure in the last three games could get Taide a chance to open the innings with his captain Dhawan. This time, he will have to provide a brisk start to the team and grab the attention of the PBKS team management and fans.

Shikhar Dhawan, the PBKS skipper, might make a comeback in the team against Challengers after sustaining a shoulder injury against Gujarat Titans (GT). The spunky left-handed has performed spectacularly with his bat, scoring 233 runs with two fifties in four matches at a fine strike rate of 146.54. His team will expect him to continue his good work against the Faf-du-Plessis-led team.

Middle order: Matt Short, Hardeep Singh, Jitesh Sharma and Shahrukh Khan

M Shahrukh Khan. (Photo Source: SAJJAD HUSSAIN/AFP via Getty Images)

With the unavailability of their prime middle-order batter Bhanuka Rajapaksa, PBKS banked on the service of the Australia domestic cricketer Matthew Short. In the Sri Lanka player’s absence, the right-handed batter is playing his role efficiently. In his last two matches, he exuded confidence with his bat scoring 36 and 34. The Aussie batter will look to score huge and reinforce his side in further matches.

Harpreet Singh Bhatia made his comeback in the league after 10 years. However, he has to provide something solid with his bat against quality RCB to strengthen his position in the team. Against Super Giants, he stabilised his team after two early blows with his 22 runs off 22 deliveries but the team will expect him to be aggressive and score at a rapid pace in the upcoming contests.

Jitesh Sharma’s role will be crucial for Punjab in the lower-middle order. So far, the batter has amassed only 79 runs in five matches at a strike rate of 125.39. In his team’s first two games, he showed his fearless side with his 21 and 27 against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) respectively. However, after those two games, he struggled to pile up runs but in the match against RCB, he will look to get his rhythm back.

After failing to live upto the expectations in initial matches, Shahrukh Khan gained his form against Gujarat Titans (GT), scoring 22 runs off nine deliveries. The right-handed batter continued the momentum against LSG too with his match-finishing knock of 23 runs off just 10 deliveries. The dashing batter will be vital in the squad against Challengers as PBKS aim to move upwards in the points table.

All-rounders: Sikandar Raza and Sam Curran

Sam Curran. (Photo Source: BCCI/IPL)

Sikandar Raza has showcased his talent in the few games he got to play. Playing his debut IPL match against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), he chipped in with 1/25 in three overs in his team’s victory. In his last match, he racked up 57 runs off 41 balls and a 1/19 spell to help his team pocket the match. The team management will want him to continue his form in the big game against RCB.

Sam Curran has performed exceptionally with the ball in the tournament so far. In his previous game, the England bowler provided impactful bowling figures (3/31 in four overs) to his team to win the game as he became the first captain to pick three wickets on captaincy debut in IPL. However, the Southpaw will strive to have a good time with the bat as well.

Bowlers: Harpreet Brar, Kagiso Rabada, Arshdeep Singh

Kagiso Rabada. (Photo Source: Twitter/PunjabkingsIPL)

Harpreet Brar is a vital part of the PBKS squad and his left-arm orthodox bowling makes his a key bowler. Along with Sikandar Raza, his role will be to fortify the spin attack of the team. So far, he has scalped two wickets in five matches at an economy of 6.41, but in the upcoming matches, he will back himself to sharpen his bowling skills to emerge as a wicket-taking bowler.

Kagiso Rabada’s fierce fast bowling brought a positive result for PBKS in his team’s last triumph against LSG. The speedster hunted two main batters Krunal Pandya and Nicholas Pooran and stopped the KL Rahul-led team at an average total of 159/8. Against the formidable RCB batting line-up, he will look forward to powering the team with marvellous fast-bowling skills.

Arshdeep Singh has emerged as the leading wicket-taker for PBKS with eight scalps in five matches at an economy of 8.29. In his team’s opening match, he outclassed KKR batters with his ferocious fast bowling. Along with Rabada and Curran, his role will be to produce fiery spell against the dangerous RCB batting unit.

Punjab Kings (PBKS) Probable Playing XI

Shikhar Dhawan, Atharva Taide, Matt Short, Harpreet Singh, Sikandar Raza, Sam Curran, Jitesh Sharma, Shahrukh Khan, Harpreet Brar, Kagiso Rabada, and Arshdeep Singh. 

Impact Players

Prabhsimran Singh, Nathan Ellis, Rishi Dhawan, Mohit Rathee, and Vidwath Kaverappa.