The much-awaited IPL 2023 season is here and the second match will see the Punjab Kings (PBKS) take on the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Mohali Stadium. Both teams have a point to prove after failing to qualify for the playoffs in the previous season. Here’s a detailed preview of the PBKS vs KKR match, including Dream11 Prediction, possible lineups and pitch report.
The Punjab Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders will be keen to start their campaigns on a positive note after missing out on the playoffs in the last season. PBKS finished sixth in the league table, while KKR were just behind them at seventh place. Both teams have a talented squad, comprising international stars and domestic players. The focus will be on getting their team combination right from the start, as early season chopping and changing can disrupt team chemistry.
KKR vs PBKS Match Timing and Venue
- Match : Punjab Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders (PBKS vs KOL)
- League : TATA IPL
- Date : Saturday, 1st April 2023
- Time : 03:30 PM (IST) – 10:00 AM (GMT)
KKR vs PBKS Match Pitch Report
The Mohali pitch is known to assist both batsmen and bowlers, making it an even contest between bat and ball. Spinners have enjoyed success on this track, so expect the likes of Sunil Narine and Ravi Bishnoi to play a crucial role. Dew can also play a factor in the second innings, making chasing a bit easier.
Total matches9Batting first won5 (55%)Bowling first won4 (44%)1st inn avg score1682nd inn avg score152Highest Total211/4Highest Chased211/6Lowest Defended114/8
KKR vs PBKS Possible Playing XI
| PBKS PLAYING 11 | KKR PLAYING 11 | |
|---|---|---|
| Shikhar Dhawan (C) | Venkatesh Iyer (C) | |
| Matthew Short | N Jagadeesan (Wk) | |
| Bhanuka Rajapaksa | Nitish Rana | |
| Jitesh Sharma (Wk) | Shakib Al Hasan | |
| Sam Curran | Andre Russell | |
| Shahrukh Khan | Mandeep Singh | |
| Raj Bawa | Sunil Narine | |
| Harpreet Brar | Shardul Thakur | |
| Rahul Chahar | Umesh Yadav | |
| Arshdeep Singh | Lockie Ferguson | |
| Kagiso Rabada | Varun Chakravarthy |
KKR vs PBKS Head to Head
| Team | Match Win |
|---|---|
| PBKS | 10 Won |
| KOL | 20 Won |
KKR vs PBKS Recent Form
PBKS – W L W L W
KOL – L W W L W
KKR vs PBKS Dream11 Fantasy Team
- Keeper – Bhanuka Rajapaksa
- Batsmen – Shikhar Dhawan (C), Shreyas Iyer (VC), Mayank Agarwal, Ajinkya Rahane
- All-rounders – Liam Livingstone, Andre Russell, Venkatesh Iyer
- Bowlers – Umesh Yadav, Rahul Chahar, Varun Chakravarthy
- RCB TEAM SQUAD
- CSK TEAM SQUAD
- MI TEAM SQUAD
- KKR TEAM SQUAD
- LSG TEAM SQUAD
- GT TEAM SQUAD
- SRH TEAM SQUAD
- DC TEAM SQUAD
- RR TEAM SQUAD
KKR vs PBKS Key Players
PBKS
- Shikhar Dhawan’s performance is vital in a relatively inexperienced domestic core for PBKS. He has scored 810 runs at an average of 28.93 and a strike rate of 117.22 in 29 matches against KKR. However, he has made five 20+ scores in his last seven outings against them: 97*, 26, 6, 46, 24, 36, 16.
- Jitesh Sharma is an essential player for Punjab. He has an outstanding record batting at five in T20s, with 406 runs in 14 innings at an average of 58.00 and a strike rate of 196.14.
- Sam Curran, the most expensive player in IPL history, needs to lift his form, having scored just 96 runs and taken nine wickets in 12 T20s this year at an economy of 8.30.
- Rishi Dhawan has impressive all-round numbers on this ground, with 238 runs (avg. 47.60, SR 112.26) and nine wickets (avg. 26.56, econ. 7.17) in 11 matches.
- Nathan Ellis, who has taken 56 wickets in 42 T20s since the start of 2022, took 3/30 for Australia against India on this ground last year.
Kolkata Knight Riders:
- Andre Russell is known for his explosive batting against PBKS, having belted 331 runs at an average of 36.78 and an extraordinary strike rate of 204.32 in ten innings against them. He also has 14 wickets.
Russell’s 70* (31) last season helped KKR defeat PBKS with 33 balls to spare when they were struggling at 51/4 while chasing 138. - Nitish Rana has struggled against PBKS, averaging just 13.75 in eight innings since the start of 2018. Will his captaincy bring out the best in him?
- Sunil Narine has the most wickets in PBKS-KKR matches, taking 32 wickets in 22 matches at an average of 16.38 and an economy of 6.92.
Narine has enjoyed bowling on this ground, taking 12 wickets in six matches at an average of 12.00 and an economy of 6.00. - Shardul Thakur has a remarkable record against PBKS, taking 17 wickets in just nine matches, striking every 11.18 deliveries on average. Umesh Yadav also has fine numbers for KKR against PBKS, with 18 scalps in 11 matches.
KKR may opt to play Tim Southee due to his record against Shikhar Dhawan, having dismissed the opener four times in 68 balls in all T20s while conceding just 67.
KKR vs PBKS Live Match – KKR vs PBKS Live Score
The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 matches will be broadcasted on the Star Sports Network in various languages. Fans can enjoy the entire tournament for free in 4K resolution by streaming it on the JioCinema application and website. So You can watch Live KKR vs PBKS Match on Jio cinema.
KKR vs PBKS Squads
KKR Squads
Shikhar Dhawan(C), Prabhsimran Singh(WK), Matthew Short, Liam Livingstone, Bhanuka Rajapaksa(WK), Jitesh Sharma(WK), Shahrukh Khan, Sam Curran, Nathan Ellis, Rahul Chahar, Harpreet Brar, Arshdeep Singh, Harpreet Singh, Shivam Singh, Baltej Singh, Kagiso Rabada, Vidwath Kaverappa, Sikandar Raza, Mohit Rathee, Atharva Taide, Rajangad Bawa, Rishi Dhawan
PBKS Squads
Venkatesh Iyer, Rahmanullah Gurbaz(WK), Nitish Rana(C), Mandeep-Singh, Andre Russell, Rinku Singh, Shakib Al Hasan, Sunil Narine, Shardul Thakur, Umesh Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy, Kulwant Khejroliya, Suyash Sharma, Vaibhav Arora, Shreyas Iyer, David Wiese, Liton Das(WK), Narayan Jagadeesan(WK), Anukul Sudhakar Roy, Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson, Harshit Rana
