PBKS vs LSG IPL 2023: Lucknow Super Giants visit Punjab Kings with KL Rahul under the scanner | Cricket News – Times of India
With IPL 2023 hitting the halfway stage, both Lucknow Super Giants and Punjab Kings, who have four wins each from seven matches, will be eager to add some momentum to their campaign in the second half of the season when they face off in Mohali on Friday.
Eyes will once again be on KL Rahul, who hasn’t been able to score at the pace he is known for, which has again put his batting form under the scanner, especially after LSG failed on Saturday to chase down 136 against Gujarat Titans.
Rahul has a strike rate of 113.91 so far in the competition and can surely do better on that front.
Though 200 has not yet been scored at the PCA Stadium in the season so far, the pitch here should be friendlier for the batter compared to the 22 yards in Lucknow.
The absence of pacer Mark Wood, who has not played since April 15 due to illness, has weakened the LSG attack considerably and the team would be wishing for his early return. Wood still remains the leading wicket taker for them despite missing three games.
Punjab Kings, on the other hand, would look to return to winning ways at home after a couple of losses. Full time captain Shikhar Dhawan has missed the last three games due to a shoulder injury but could return for the LSG fixture.
“He is recovering well and could be in action tomorrow,” said a team source.
Punjab Kings, who have been guilty of throwing it away in the past, are making a conscious effort to raise their game as the tournament progresses.
The top-order comprising Prabhsimran Singh and Matthew Short need to stay longer in the middle while the dangerous Liam Livingstone is yet to come into his own after two games.
Stand in captain Sam Curran showed against Mumbai Indians why Punjab paid Rs 18.5 crore for his services and his contribution with both bat and ball holds key for the team.
Arshdeep Singh has been brilliant both with new and old ball while the team will need to take a tough call in choosing between Nathan Ellis and Kagiso Rabada, who has played only a couple of games so far.
A lot more is expected from leggie Rahul Chahar in the middle overs as he has managed to take only two wickets in seven games.
![cricket-1-AI]()
Eyes will once again be on KL Rahul, who hasn’t been able to score at the pace he is known for, which has again put his batting form under the scanner, especially after LSG failed on Saturday to chase down 136 against Gujarat Titans.
Rahul has a strike rate of 113.91 so far in the competition and can surely do better on that front.
Though 200 has not yet been scored at the PCA Stadium in the season so far, the pitch here should be friendlier for the batter compared to the 22 yards in Lucknow.
The absence of pacer Mark Wood, who has not played since April 15 due to illness, has weakened the LSG attack considerably and the team would be wishing for his early return. Wood still remains the leading wicket taker for them despite missing three games.
Punjab Kings, on the other hand, would look to return to winning ways at home after a couple of losses. Full time captain Shikhar Dhawan has missed the last three games due to a shoulder injury but could return for the LSG fixture.
“He is recovering well and could be in action tomorrow,” said a team source.
Punjab Kings, who have been guilty of throwing it away in the past, are making a conscious effort to raise their game as the tournament progresses.
The top-order comprising Prabhsimran Singh and Matthew Short need to stay longer in the middle while the dangerous Liam Livingstone is yet to come into his own after two games.
Stand in captain Sam Curran showed against Mumbai Indians why Punjab paid Rs 18.5 crore for his services and his contribution with both bat and ball holds key for the team.
Arshdeep Singh has been brilliant both with new and old ball while the team will need to take a tough call in choosing between Nathan Ellis and Kagiso Rabada, who has played only a couple of games so far.
A lot more is expected from leggie Rahul Chahar in the middle overs as he has managed to take only two wickets in seven games.
(With agency inputs)
window.TimesApps = window.TimesApps || {}; var TimesApps = window.TimesApps; TimesApps.toiPlusEvents = function(config) { var isConfigAvailable = "toiplus_site_settings" in f && "isFBCampaignActive" in f.toiplus_site_settings && "isGoogleCampaignActive" in f.toiplus_site_settings; var isPrimeUser = window.isPrime; if (isConfigAvailable && !isPrimeUser) { loadGtagEvents(f.toiplus_site_settings.isGoogleCampaignActive); loadFBEvents(f.toiplus_site_settings.isFBCampaignActive); } else { var JarvisUrl="https://jarvis.indiatimes.com/v1/feeds/toi_plus/site_settings/643526e21443833f0c454615?db_env=published"; window.getFromClient(JarvisUrl, function(config){ if (config) { loadGtagEvents(config?.isGoogleCampaignActive); loadFBEvents(config?.isFBCampaignActive); } }) } }; })( window, document, 'script', );
For all the latest Sports News Click Here
For the latest news and updates, follow us on Google News.
Denial of responsibility! NewsBit.us is an automatic aggregator around the global media. All the content are available free on Internet. We have just arranged it in one platform for educational purpose only. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, all materials to their authors. If you are the owner of the content and do not want us to publish your materials on our website, please contact us by email – [email protected]. The content will be deleted within 24 hours.
