IPL 2022: Match 8 - Predicted Punjab Kings Playing XI vs Kolkata Knight Riders

The Punjab Kings (PBKS) will lock horns with the Shreyas Iyer-led Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) side in the 8th Match of the IPL on 1st April 2022. PBKS experienced a superb start to their campaign, as they chased down a target of 206 set by the Royal Challengers Bangalore in their opening encounter and won the match with five wickets to spare.

On the other hand, the Kolkata Knight Riders will enter this match after going down to the RCB in their previous match. In a low-scoring game, the Faf du Plessis-led side beat the KKR outfit by three wickets.

Here’s the predicted playing XI of PBKS against KKR:

Openers: Shikhar Dhawan and Mayank Agarwal

The experienced combo of Shikhar Dhawan and Mayank Agarwal will open the batting for the Punjab Kings. Dhawan and Agarwal provided the Punjab Kings with a blazing start in the match against RCB. The Dhawan-Agarwal duo put on a partnership of 71 runs in 7.1 overs.

While Dhawan scored 43 off 29 deliveries, Agarwal scored a 24-ball 32. Punjab will be hoping that this combo continues its good work in the game against KKR too.

Middle Order: Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Shahrukh Khan

Sri Lankan Bhanuka Rajapaksa tore into the RCB bowling attack in PBKS’ previous rubber. The left-hander blazed his way to 43 at a strike rate of close to 200. If Rajapaksa can continue in the same vein, then KKR might encounter a lot of problems.

Shahrukh Khan, too, played a handy cameo, scoring a timely 24* at a strike rate of 120. He stayed till the end with Odean Smith in PBKS’ previous match and put on a match-winning partnership of 52 runs with the West Indian.

All Rounders: Liam Livingstone, Odean Smith, and Harpreet Brar

The three all-rounders in the playing XI will be Liam Livingstone, Odean Smith, and Harpreet Brar. Livingstone scored a 10-ball 19 in PBKS’ previous match but could not kick on and get a big score.

The eight balls that Odean Smith faced changed the match on its head. The right-hander scored a belligerent 25* at a strike rate of over 300 and won the Player of the Match award. Smith, however, produced a poor performance with the ball and leaked 52 runs in his four overs against RCB.

Left-arm spinner Harpreet Brar was carted all around the park, and he gave away runs at an economy rate of close to 13 in his three overs, and failed to pick up a wicket.

Bowlers: Arshdeep Singh, Sandeep Sharma, Kagiso Rabada, and Rahul Chahar

The four specialist bowlers are Arshdeep Singh, Sandeep Sharma, Kagiso Rabada, and Rahul Chahar. Sharma gave away 37 runs in his four overs and failed to scalp a wicket in PBKS’ previous match. Arshdeep Singh picked up the wicket of Faf du Plessis and leaked runs at an economy rate of close to eight runs an over.

South African pacer Kagiso Rabada will find a spot in the playing XI for this match. Rabada has played 50 matches in the IPL and has scalped 76 wickets at a strike rate of 15. Finally, Rahul Chahar bowled an economical spell and gave away just 22 runs in his four overs in the game against RCB.