IPL 2023: Match 64, Punjab Kings (PBKS) Strongest Predicted Playing XI against Delhi Capitals (DC)

Amidst a fierce battle on the Indian Premier League 2023 points table, Punjab Kings (PBKS) will clash with Delhi Capitals (DC) in match 64, at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) Stadium in Dharamsala. In their previous meeting, PBKS clinched a comprehensive 31-run victory against Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. 

For Punjab, a win will be important in this game as they need to come out victorious in both contests to advance to the playoffs. Currently, PBKS are placed in the eighth position on the points table with six victories and six losses. Against Capitals, they will look to showcase their best and fortify themselves to qualify for the next round.

Here's Punjab Kings’ (PBKS) Strongest predicted XI against Delhi Capitals:

Openers: Prabhsimran Singh and Shikhar Dhawan

As an opener, Prabhsimran Singh has done his job efficiently in the competition, so far. The right-handed batter has scored 334 runs in 12 matches at a strike rate of 153.91. In the previous match, the 22-year-old exuded confidence and smashed his maiden IPL ton. Witnessing his spectacular knock, PBKS will expect him to continue his form. 

Shikhar Dhawan has led the Punjab Kings from the front in this tournament. Currently, he is the highest run-scorer for Punjab with 356 runs in nine matches at a sensational strike rate of 143.54. The southpaw will look to be dominant against his rivals in the remaining league games to take his team ahead.

Middle-Order: Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma, and Shahrukh Khan

Liam Livingstone’s bat remained quiet in the last couple of games, and it’s a matter of concern as PBKS’s position on the points tally is not at all healthy due to their negative run rate. Against DC, the team will need extraordinary displays from their stalwarts, and noting the requirement of his side, Livingstone will strive to deliver solid numbers from his bat.     

In the last outing against DC, PBKS pocketed the contest comfortably but the failure of top-order batters will raise concerns. Jitesh Sharma, who emerged as a bright spark from the PBKS squad, has produced a few quality knocks from his bat but in the last two matches, he looked uncomfortable against bowlers. At this stage of the tournament, Sharma will back himself to have a blast in the next two games.

Shahrukh Khan has failed to play his role efficiently. In the majority of matches, he struggled against bowlers and threw his wicket cheaply. Thus far, Shahrukh has amassed only 109 runs in 11 innings of 12 matches at a disappointing average of 18.16. However, noting his potential and skills, the PBKS team management won’t lose faith in him.

All-rounders: Sikandar Raza and Sam Curran

Sikandar Raza has delivered some decent innings to his team with his bat. Noting Shahrukh’s struggle as a finisher, PBKS could assign Raza the task to conclude games in his style. In Punjab’s four-wicket triumph over Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at Chepauk, the veteran displayed nerves of steel to take his team home with his unbeaten 13 off seven. 

Sam Curran looked disciplined with the ball in initial matches but now, he is failing to deliver up to the expectations. With the bat, he has scored 216 runs in 12 matches at a strike rate of 129.34. While in the bowling department, he has struggled to be a wicket-taker option with only seven scalps at an expensive economy of 10.21.

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

Harpreet Brar came heavily on DC batters in his last outing. Notching up 4/30 in his four-over spell, he helped Punjab to be in a commanding position in the contest. The left-arm bowler will look forward to outclassing DC again with his spin bowling skills in Dharamshala. 

Rishi Dhawan’s job is to reinforce Punjab's pace bowling unit with Arshdeep Singh and experienced Sam Curran but the 33-year-old hasn’t got a lot of chances to prove himself. In six matches of the competition, Rishi got four innings to bowl, in which he picked up one wicket at an economy of 8.57.

Rahul Chahar delivered an excellent spell to his team against the Delhi Capitals in their den. His thrifty four-over spell of 2/16 helped Punjab to throttle DC's batting line-up. In the next two games, his skipper Shikhar Dhawan will want him to continue his attacking approach against batters.

Arshdeep Singh is currently the leading wicket-taker for Punjab with 16 wickets in 12 matches at an economy of 9.63. So far, the pacer has been a wicket-taking bowler for his team but the biggest concern for Punjab is that the 24-year-old is failing to contain the flow of runs.

 Punjab Kings (PBKS) Probable Playing XI:

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

Punjab Kings (PBKS) Probable Impact Players:

Nathan Ellis, Kagiso Rabada, Mohit Rathee, Atharva Taide, Baltej Singh