IPL 2023: 3 Players Who Will Be Crucial for Punjab Kings to Win KKR vs PBKS Match No. 53

IPL 2023: After a thrilling weekend, the next IPL week will start with another high-voltage clash between Kolkata Knight Riders and Punjab Kings. Both teams are sitting in the second half of the table. With five wins out of ten games, PBKS is 7th on the list, while KKR is 8th with four wins out of six games. However, it will be a great chance for Punjab to jump to third place.

For that, they need to win the game on Monday at the Eden Gardens. It will not be easy because KKR is very strong on their home ground and is coming off a win, which would have given them confidence. On the other hand, PBKS lost their last game because they couldn’t defend a big target of 215. Thus, Punjab needs to rectify their mistakes and head into the next game. This article will include three important Punjab players in KKR vs PBKS Match No. 53.

IPL 2023: 3 Key Players for Punjab Kings in KKR vs PBKS Match No. 53

3. Sam Curran

Sam Curran has been a good addition to the PBKS setup as compared to last season. The English all-rounder has given the team excellent balance, which was lacking in 2022. With his match-winning ability with both bat and ball, he has already taken his team out of some pressure situations. Curran performed excellently, even in the last game against PBKS.

He scored an unbeaten 26 off 17 and took 1/38 with the ball. His performance will be needed once again. Overall, the all-rounder has scored 192 runs at an average of 27.43 and a strike rate of 143.28 and also picked up seven wickets. He can be a big hurdle for Kolkata because he is at his all-round best at the moment.

2. Liam Livingstone

It’s only been five games that English all-rounder Liam Livingstone has played this season, but he has already made an impact. Even in the last game against MI, he was at his absolute best. Livingstone scored a quick inning of 82 not out from 42, which helped his team cross the 200-run mark. He is the one who can take the game away from any situation.

Livingstone has scored 157 runs in just five innings at 39.25 with an excellent strike rate of 163.54. If he gets going, there will be no one who can stop them. Livingstone will be the key for Punjab during the middle overs because KKR spinners have restricted the opposition from scoring freely. But Livingstone can certainly break their momentum with his power hitting.

1. Shikhar Dhawan

The PBKS skipper Shikhar Dhawan will be the biggest wicket for Kolkata on Monday. The Southpaw has been in his best form this season. Despite missing three games, he is still the leading run-scorer for the team. Dhawan has scored 292 runs in seven innings at an average of 58.40 and a strike rate of 148.98, with a best of 99 not out.

The skipper knows that if Punjab wins the game on Monday, they will move into third place and be an inch closer to a place in the playoffs. Thus, he will do everything to make it possible. That is one of the reasons that he can be very dangerous for Kolkata. He scored a 29-ball 40 against KKR earlier this season and is expected to give a good start once again.