IPL 2023, PBKS vs KKR: Arshdeep Singh’s brilliance bowling helps Punjab outclass Knight Riders in a rain-curtailed encounter
IPL 2023, PBKS vs KKR: Punjab Kings rode on a all-round batting show and Arshdeep Singh’s brilliance with the ball as they managed to beat Kolkata Knight Riders by 7 runs in a rain-hit encounter in Mohali to start their new season with 2 points on Saturday, April 1.
Kolkata Knight Riders were 146 for 7 at the end of 16 overs when the rain started pouring down at the IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali. The Kolkata chase began 20 minutes late as the floodlights at the iconic venue failed after Punjab Kings had posted 191 in 20 overs.
Kolkata had all-rounders Shardul Thakur and Sunil Narine in the strike after a big partnership between Andre Russell and Venkatesh Iyer ended. However, they were 7 runs short of the DLS par score.
IPL 2023, PBKS vs KKR In Brief
KKR found it hard to chase PBKS’ score of 191 as they suffered a few early blows. Venkatesh Iyer and Nitish Rana stabilized the ship before the latter fell at a crucial stage. Meanwhile, Andre Russell was going behind the PBKS attack but was caught off Sam Curran’s ball. After Iyer’s wicket, it became very difficult for the purple army as rain intervened after 16 overs when KKR were at 146/7. The game did not resume and Punjab won by 7 runs via DLS method.
Riding on the back of brilliant contributions from all of the top seven, Punjab registered a total of 191. Bhanuka Rajapaksa got a fiery fifty while Shikhar Dhawan played fine for his 40 off 29. The middle order powered the Kings to a decent total. Jitesh, Raza, Sam Curran and Shahrukh Khan provided the finishing touches with Curran being the top scorer among the four with 26 runs in 17 balls.
What worked out well for PBKS
An ideal start to the season for Punjab Kings as they begin with a victory over Kolkata Knight Riders — a side they have historically struggled against with 20 defeats in 31 games — bossing them in all departments today.
Punjab ticked off quite a few boxes today, from Prabhsimran Singh impressing as an opener, Bhanuka Rajapaksa scoring his maiden IPL fifty and another inspired powerplay spell from Arshdeep Singh to the all-round efforts of Sikandar Raza and Sam Curran.
Shikhar Dhawan also gave a good account of himself in his first game in charge of the Punjab Kings, and will have given the team owners reason to hope for a revival in the 16th season.
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