IPL 2023 : 3 Players Who will be crucial For Punjab Kings To Win PBKS VS KKR Match No. 2

Punjab Kings would like to end the trophyless string that has elongated from the inception of the tournament in 2008. PBKS endured a tough campaign in the 2022 Indian Premier League (IPL) table as they finished a disappointing sixth and failed to qualify for the playoffs. They only won seven and lost the other seven games in the league stage. The 2014 IPL runner-ups are still aiming to win their first-ever IPL title and hence have added together a strong squad for the upcoming season.

This year the team will kickstart the tournament without their star batter Jonny Bairstow, who has been ruled out of the IPL 2023. In his place, hard-hitting Australian batter Matthew Short has been called into the PBKS squad. Pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada is likely to be unavailable for selection for the first game against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on April 1. The unavailability of Rabada for the first game due to national commitments depletes their squad.

Despite all this, the team has the firepower required in all departments. But there are some frailties in the squad too. What could affect the PBKS, even more, is the lack of quality Indian batters in the team. Their success will depend more on their four overseas players than the Indian talent that’s there in its cupboard. Shikhar Dhawan and Co will begin their campaign against KKR at their home ground in Mohali on April 1. So let’s have a look at the 3 players who will be crucial to PBKS’ success in the first game against KKR.

Top Punjab Players to Watch Out for in the PBKS vs KKR Clash:

3) Arshdeep Singh 

Arshdeep will be spearheading the Punjab Kings’ bowling attack in the first game of the forthcoming season without Rabada. The tall and lanky pacer has tasted success and disappointments in his short international and IPL career.

The Punjab cricketer – who burst into the scene with his consistently good performance for Punjab Kings in the cash-rich IPL – is now a household name in the PBKS camp. Since being bought by PBKS in 2019, the left-arm seamer has been a class performer in IPL. He has claimed 40 wickets at an average of 26.35 and has maintained an economy of 8.35. With his ability to swing the white ball up front and nail those yorkers in crunch situations in the death overs, Arshdeep will be a threat to KKR batters at his home ground.

2) Shikhar Dhawan

After being appointed as the captain of the team, Shikhar Dhawan will have to perform the dual role of Captain & Batter to great effect if PBKS wants to end the IPL drought. It’ll all start with the game against KKR. In Mohali, Dhawan has a good record and he will look to continue his stunning form from last season, when he smashed 460 runs in 14 matches last season at 38.33 

The PBKS skipper is the second-highest run-scorer in IPL history behind Virat Kohli, having amassed 6244 runs in 206 matches. Notably, in each of the last seven seasons in IPL, Dhawan has smashed over 450 runs. This stat speaks volumes of his consistency in the toughest T20 league. The onus will be on Dhawan- the Captain and the batter to lead his team by example in order to start the tournament well. 

1) Sam Curran

PBKS broke the bank to acquire the services of England’s star campaigner in the T20 World Cup 2022, Sam Curran. The seam-bowling all-rounder has been in great form since November last year. Punjab’s marquee signing of the season, Sam Curran, will certainly influence the balance of the side largely due to his all-round abilities. His ability to bat as a floater and also his ability to contain runs at death is the major reason behind his high price tag.

In his small IPL career, Curran owns 32 wickets in as many appearances with a higher economy rate of 9.21. With the bat, he has scored 337 runs at a stunning strike rate of 149.78. Curran is anticipated to play a significant part for PBKS in the IPL 2023 due to his ability to bat and bowl in all phases of the game. And if he performs at his peak, PBKS will have an upper hand over KKR in their season opener.