IPL 2023: 3 Key Match-ups To Watch-Out in PBKS VS KKR Match No.2

The second match of the Indian Premier League 2023 (IPL 2023) between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the 16th edition of the IPL scheduled in Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali. PBKS and KKR have squared off 30 times against each other in the history of the IPL. KKR has had the upper hand in this rivalry, emerging victorious in 19 matches while PBKS has won 11 times. This clearly shows that KKR has won more matches, and PBKS has also managed to win some important matches against its opponents.

As usual, Punjab Kings did a lot of chopping and changing ahead of the IPL 2023 season. They have got a new captain in Shikhar Dhawan and they’ve made some notable changes in the squad. Their overseas options are world-class and add some prominent Indian names to them. PBKS would start as slight favorites to win their first game of IPL 2023 against KKR. 

KKR on the other hand will be without their skipper and star player Shreyas Iyer for the first game at least. Not just that, Lockie Ferguson will also miss the PBKS game due to injury. Injuries to key players are a major blow to the team’s chances against Punjab. Unlike every year, KKR’s squad this year looks slightly weak and they’re certainly not the top most contenders to win the IPL 2023 cup. Having said that, both teams boast some of the best players in the T20 circuit and those players will give it all in order to make their team win. In this listicle, let’s look at the three key player battles which will be important in the context of this game.

Here Are the Top 3 Key Player Battles for PBKS VS KKR Game:

3) Andre Russell vs Rahul Chahar

Russell is counted among the most destructive batters in the world. He has the ability to take any bowler to cleaners with his brute strength. There is a clear pattern to the way Russell performs against spin and pace. In the last few seasons, he has found to be struggling against the wrist spinners and that’s where it’ll be interesting to see how Dhawan will use Chahar. The Punjab Kings leg-spinner has evolved himself as a proven wicket-taker and he will pose a threat to Russell, given the big boundaries of Mohali stadium. He may not have dismissed Russell yet but he has managed to keep a check on his scoring rate.

2) Sunil Narine vs Shikhar Dhawan

Season after season, Sunil Narine has proven he is one of the top players in the KKR change room. A canny operator with the ball, Narine has got all the tools to outfox the batters. He has the mystery factor which makes him a very dangerous bowler. On the other hand, Dhawan has been a prolific run scorer in IPL history. He’s brilliant against the pacers and spinners as well. The left-handed batter has only been dismissed twice by Narine since their first face-off in 2013. Battle of the veterans, IPL legends, and the face-off between Narine and Dhawan will be very important and one to keep an eye on.

1) Varun Chakravarthy vs Liam Livingstone

Varun Chakravarthy had a poor season last year, will have to step up this season and it’ll start with the first game itself. The mystery spinner has the ability to spin the ball both ways. Chakravarthy is a wicket-taking asset and he needs to perform to his reputation. Narine’s spin twin, Chakravarthy loves bowling to right-handers and in the first game, he will be targeting the wicket of PBKS’ most explosive batter- Liam Livingstone. The last time when these two met in 2022, Livingstone got six runs off the four balls he faced without being dismissed. It is well known that Livingstone is a pace basher and struggles a bit against the spin bowlers. Livingstone’s brute power versus Chakravarthy’s mystery. This battle will be a spectator’s delight.