IPL 2023: 3 Players Who Will Be Crucial for Punjab Kings to Win RR vs PBKS Match No. 8

IPL 2023: Punjab Kings have taken a winning start to their campaign in the 16th edition of the Indian Premier League. They registered a win against the Kolkata Knight Riders in the first game they played. Though the game was interrupted due to rain, PBKS won by 7 runs by the DLS method. But now, they have certainly the toughest opponents against them in the next game.

PBKS will lock horns against Rajasthan Royals on Wednesday at their home turf, Barsapara Cricket Stadium, in Guwahati. RR thrashed Sunrisers Hyderabad in their first game by 72 runs and is high on confidence. Thus, Shikhar Dhawan and his men need to bring their “A” game into play. Here we will talk about three players for Punjab Kings who could be the game-changer for them to win RR vs PBKS Match No. 8.

IPL 2023: 3 Key Players for Punjab Kings in the RR vs PBKS Match No. 8

3. Bhanuka Rajapaksa

The Sri Lankan star batter, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, played an impactful inning in the first game against KKR. He was at his absolute best and scored a quick half-century. The southpaw made 50 off 32, with five fours and two sixes. In the absence of Liam Livingstone, Rajapaksa didn’t let the firepower of Punjab’s batting come down.

He will now be up against RR, which has some serious power hitters on their team. And if anyone can match them from Punjab, Rajapaksa is that guy. If he stays for a while, he will just run away with the game. Thus, a lot will depend on him when it comes to batting for Punjab. He can pose a threat to RR on Wednesday.

2. Sam Curran

The million-dollar man for Punjab Kings had a mixed performance in the first game against KKR. He played a decent inning of 26 off 17, with two sixes with the bat, but followed it up with his bowling. Sam Curran ended up with a bowling figure of 1/38 in three overs. But everyone is aware of the skills he brings to the table.

The English all-rounder is a very smart bowler who thinks like a batter. And with his hitting ability, he plays some important cameos for his team below the order. Though Curran can feel the pressure of the price tag on him, that’s when champion players come out to perform. He will be up against a strong RR batting lineup and can do well with his changeups and swing upfront.

1. Arshdeep Singh

Though there are some other players like Shikhar Dhawan and Sikander Raza in the team, Arshdeep Singh can prove to be the “X” factor for Punjab when they face RR on Wednesday. The left-arm pacer was the pick of the bowlers for India in the T20 World Cup and has improved a lot. He was the one who just rattled the KKR top order.

Arshdeep took 3/19 and made the difference in the first game for PBKS. He knows how to dismiss big players from the opposition team. And if he can dismiss two or three RR batters from the top order, it will become hard for Rajasthan to come back from that position. That’s why Arshdeep is very important to the team.