IPL 2023: 3 Players Who Will Be Crucial for Punjab Kings to Win PBKS vs RCB Match No. 27

IPL 2023: Just like Saturday and Sunday, this Thursday will have two games taking place, which is very rare to see during weekdays in the IPL. The first game will see the Punjab Kings lock horns with Royal Challengers Bangalore at the PCA Stadium in Mohali. Both teams have had a contrasting start so far in the competition.

Punjab has won three of their five games and is coming off a thrilling win over Lucknow Super Giants. They will be feeling confident after a close win and will look to carry on with a game on Thursday. But despite a rusty performance, it will not be wise to write off RCB with the firepower they had in the team. Thus, PBKS needs to play well to beat RCB on Thursday. Here, we will talk about three such players for PBKS to win PBKS vs RCB Match No. 27.

IPL 2023: 3 Key Players for Punjab Kings in PBKS vs RCB Match No. 27

3. Sam Curran

Spending over 18 crores on the English all-rounder Sam Curran is now looking for a good deal for the franchise. He is repaying the faith shown in him to some extent with some useful performances with both the ball and the bat. Curran led the team in the absence of Shikhar Dhawan in the last game against LSG.

He did a good job and led the team to victory. Overall, his all-round skills have certainly benefited the team’s combination. He can bat at any place and bowl tough overs upfront and at the death. Curran has scored 77 runs at a strike rate of 124.19 and taken five wickets as well. He can be a possible threat when RCB faces PBKS on Thursday because his bowling tactics sometimes become hard to pick.

2. Matthew Short

Two innings and two decent knocks—that is the impact Matthew Short has made in the team’s batting lineup. He played a crucial inning of 36 off 24 against the defending champion and was the top scorer on the team. Then he followed it up with another useful inning of 34 off 22 against LSG in a tricky chase after PBKS lost two early wickets.

These innings indicate that a big score is around the corner, and he can definitely go big on Thursday against the RCB. Short is an attacking player by nature and likes to take on the bowling. And when he gets going, he can clear any boundary in the world with his strength. He also bowled some useful overs in the middle, which can help PBKS in the afternoon game, especially when the sun is out and the ball starts turning.

1. Shikhar Dhawan

PBKS skipper Shikhar Dhawan missed the last game because he was unwell, but he is fit enough to play on Thursday. His absence was surely a miss in the last game as PBKS struggled in a tricky chase against LSG. And why not? Dhawan is in brilliant form at the moment. He is the third-highest run-getter despite playing one game less than the others.

Dhawan has scored 233 runs in four innings at an extraordinary average of 116.50 and a decent strike rate of 146.54, with two half-centuries. His return will surely boost the confidence of the team and put pressure on the opposition. Dhawan holds the key to the PBKS batting order. But RCB will be aware of how dangerous Dhawan can be on his days because he can play spin and pace really well.