The Punjab Kings (PBKS) will take on the Delhi Capitals (DC) in an IPL 2023 match at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association stadium in Dharamsala on May 17. After winning their last game against DC in Delhi, Shikhar Dhawan’s side will play their final two matches in Dharamsala, which has been their second home venue this season after Mohali. Punjab will need to win their remaining games and hope for other results to go their way if they want to make it to the playoffs. Punjab Kings have to win all of their remaining matches while hoping for a number of favourable results(PTI)
PBKS has won six out of twelve matches in the ongoing IPL season. After winning their opening matches against Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals, they lost two games against Sunrisers Hyderabad and Gujarat Titans. They then won their match against LSG in a hard-fought encounter before losing to RCB in Mohali. PBKS bounced back to beat MI at the Wankhede and then suffered a heavy defeat against LSG. The Punjab Kings then won against Chennai Super Kings at the MA Chidambaram Stadium before losing consecutive games to MI and KKR. In their last outing, Prabhsimran scored his maiden IPL ton to propel PBKS to a competitive total of 167/7, which was then defended by Harpreet Brar with figures of 4/30 as PBKS restricted DC to 136/8 and won the match by 31 runs.
Captain Shikhar Dhawan has been in good form, scoring 356 runs in eight innings at a strike rate of 143. Prabhsimran Singh and Jitesh Sharma have also been impressive, scoring 334 and 265 runs respectively. All-rounders Sam Curran and Liam Livingston have chipped in with 216 and 176 runs, respectively.
Arshdeep Singh has been PBKS’s leading wicket-taker, picking up 16 wickets this season. Nathan Ellis, with twelve wickets, has been the team’s best overseas bowler. Meanwhile, Kagiso Rabada, Rahul Chahar, and Harpreet Brar have also made significant contributions, picking up a total of 21 wickets between them. Sam Curran has also been effective, picking up 7 wickets so far.
The expected PBKS XI for the upcoming match is Shikhar Dhawan (c), Prabhsimran Singh, Shahrukh Khan, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Sikandar Raza, Sam Curran, Liam Livingston, Arshdeep Singh, Harpreet Brar, Rahul Chahar, and Rishi Dhawan. Nathan Ellis is expected to be used as the impact player if PBKS bowl in the second innings. Mohit Rathee, Harpreet Bhatia, Atharva Taide, and Gurnoor Brar are also options for the impact player role.