IPL 2023: Match 53, Punjab Kings (PBKS) Predicted Playing XI vs Kolkata Knight Riders

Following the six-wicket defeat at the hands of Mumbai Indians, Shikhar Dhawan’s Punjab Kings (PBKS) are gearing up for their next assignment. The side will lock horns with two-time winners Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the iconic Eden Gardens in match 53 of the Indian Premier League 2023 on Monday, May 8.

Check Here👉 KKR vs PBKS Live Score and Updates

Speaking about their head-to-head records in the last five meetings, PBKS have the slight upper hand with three wins whereas KKR have won twice. Moreover, Punjab beat Kolkata in their first meeting in the ongoing season in a rain-curtailed affair. 

While KKR are placed eighth on the IPL Points Table with eight points, PBKS stand seventh with 10 points. Punjab will be raring to complete a double against Kolkata in the ongoing season and climb up the points table to make a spot for the play-offs.

Here's Punjab Kings’ predicted XI against Kolkata Knight Riders:

Openers: Shikhar Dhawan (c), Prabhsimran Singh

The opening duo of Shikhar Dhawan and Prabhsimran Singh failed to hand the required start in the previous game against Mumbai Indians. While Dhawan could manage 30 off 20 balls, which included five boundaries to his name, Prabhsimran was sent packing for mere nine runs.

Dhawan has impressive stats in the seven games played in the ongoing IPL, as he has collected 292 runs with a brilliant average of 58.40. However, since his return from injury, he has failed to score big and will need to get his rhythm back in the upcoming games.

Prabhsimran can help raise important stands and lay the foundation in the top-order for the rest of the unit to capitalize upon. The batter will need to take control of his game and get the required runs as an opener.

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

Matthew Short has been unable to breakthrough and play his natural game in the middle order. He has amassed mere 117 runs at an abysmal average of 19.50 and a personal best of 36 runs in six games. With the business end of the season approaching, Short will need to step up for the side and get the vital runs at No.3. 

Wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma has displayed his explosive hitting exploits on numerous occasions in the league. In the previous match against Mumbai, Jitesh clobbered an unbeaten 49 runs off mere 27 balls with five fours and two sixes at a stunning strike rate of 181.48. He will look to replicate his blazing knocks in the forthcoming fixture against KKR.

Shahrukh Khan has featured in 10 matches thus far in the ongoing season and been rather underwhelming as he has collected a meagre 86 runs at an average of 17.20. However, coming down the order, Shahrukh holds the potential playing quickfire knocks which can steer the side to obtain favourable results. He will be vying to improve his batting in the forthcoming matches.

All-rounders: Liam Livingstone, Sam Curran

Liam Livingstone carved out his best knock in his IPL career in the previous match against Mumbai. The batter cracked an unbeaten 42-ball 82, which featured four sixes and seven fours at an aggressive strike rate of 195.23. Livingstone has 157 runs in just five games at an average of 39.25 and will be gunning to maintain his purple patch in the remainder of the group matches.

On the other hand, 24-year-old Sam Curran is yet to deliver the goods with the ball considering his massive price tag. In 10 matches, Curran has only managed to get seven wickets at a dismal average economy of 9.90. In the previous match against MI, Curran was hammered for 41 runs in his three overs with no breakthroughs. Though he holds the potential of scoring big knocks, he will need to bring out his ‘A’ game in the upcoming matches.

Bowlers: Harpreet Brar, Rishi Dhawan, Rahul Chahar, Arshdeep Singh

The bowling unit endured a forgetful outing against Mumbai Indians in the previous match upon which the latter comfortably chased down a 200-plus total with an over in hand. Rahul Chahar, Arshdeep Singh, and Harpreet Brar were targeted at an economy over 10, which costed Punjab the match.

Chahar leaked 30 runs in his three overs at an economy of 10 whereas Harpreet gave away 21 runs off mere two oversat an economy of 10.50. Meanwhile, the left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh recorded his worst figures in the ongoing season, leaking 66 runs in just 3.5 overs for one scalp.

In a match where bowlers were outrightly being targeted by the batting side, it was Rishi Dhawan who returned an impressive spell. The 33-year-old pacer gave mere 20 runs in his three overs at an economy of 6.66 and also got the prized scalp of MI skipper Rohit Sharma. 

While there is lots for the bowling unit to work on, an improved outing will be expected in the forthcoming match against KKR. However, considering that the pitch at the Eden Gardens has aided the batters in the ongoing season, PBKS bowlers will need to be razor sharp.

Punjab Kings (PBKS) Probable Playing 11:

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

Punjab Kings (PBKS) Probable Impact Players:

Harpreet Singh Bhatia, Atharva Taide, Baltej Singh, Sikandar Raza, Mohit Rathee