PBKS vs KKR: Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Arshdeep Singh Star in Punjab Kings’ First Victory in IPL 2023

Punjab Kings took on Kolkata Knight Riders in their first game in IPL 2023 at the PCA stadium in Mohali. Punjab Kings defeated the Kolkata Knight Riders franchise by seven runs as per the DLS method as Bhanuka Rajapaksa, and Arshdeep Singh deliver exceptional performances helping their side register their first victory in IPL 2023.

Punjab Kings were missing their key all-rounder Liam Livingstone and star pacer Kagiso Rabada. However, Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Arshdeep Singh made sure that the PBKS side was always ahead of their opponent team. Rajapaksa scored a crucial fifty while Arshdeep scalped 3 wickets for his side.

Bhanuka Rajapaksa smashes a swashbuckling fifty in the PBKS vs KKR game

The Sri Lankan batter scored 50 runs off just 32 deliveries. He took over after the dismissal of Prabhsimran Singh who scored a quick-fire 23 off just 12 balls. Rajapaksa kept the momentum going as he smashed 5 fours and 2 maximums.

Rajapaksa showed an attacking approach against star KKR spinner Sunil Narine. He scored a couple of fours and a six as well in Sunil Narine’s first over. He got enough support from skipper Shikhar Dhawan who played a knock of 40 runs off just 29 deliveries as Punjab Kings posted a mammoth total of 191-5.

Arshdeep Singh gets rid of three key batters in the PBKS vs KKR match

KKR opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz got off to a flying start as he got 22 runs off just 16 deliveries. Meanwhile, Left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh dismissed batters from the other end. He first got rid of Mandeep Singh and then Anukul Roy in the same over.

Arshdeep Singh then came in to bowl during the death overs. He took the wicket of all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer in the 16th over of the KKR innings. After the 16th was over, it started drizzling as the Kolkata Knight Riders were placed at the score of 146-7.

As the drizzle turned into a proper shower, the game couldn’t resume. Punjab Kings defeated the Kolkata Knight Riders side by 7 runs as per the DLS method. PBKS pacer Arshdeep Singh was named as the Player of the Match for his brilliant spell.