Punjab Kings began the IPL 2023 campaign with a 7-run win via the DLS method against Kolkata Knight Riders played at PCA Stadium, Mohali on 1 April.
KKR captain Nitish Rana won the toss and decided to field first. Prabhsimran Singh showed intent right from word go putting pressure on Tim Southee. Southee eventually got rid of Singh after 16 runs. Bhaunka Rajapaksa looked in sublime touch putting pressure on KKR bowlers and keeping the momentum going for PBKS. At the end of the first six overs, PBKS made 56 for 1.
After the field restrictions, Rajapaksa and Dhawan kept the momentum going for PBKS to hit boundaries. The Sri Lankan hard hitter smashed a half-century off 30 deliveries and was eventually caught by Nitish Rana. Rajapaksa and Dhawan added 86 runs for the 2nd wicket.
Jitesh Sharma continued the momentum of Punjab Kings with boundaries at regular intervals. KKR bowlers made a strong comeback with wickets at regular intervals. Sam Curran, Sikandar Raza, Shahrukh Khan, and Jitesh Sharma provided quickfire cameos to help PBKS post 191 for 5.
Arshdeep Singh was brilliant with the bowl
Arshdeep Singh looked impressive with the bowl for Punjab Kings. He dismissed Mandeep Singh off his very first ball providing a simple catch to Sam Curran and then made another breakthrough getting Anukul Roy who was promoted to number 3. After dismissing Roy, Arshdeep Singh gave a stare look at him.
It was a great bowling performance by Punjab King’s department. Rahmanullah Gurbaz looked impressive with his shot-making before Nathan Ellis got rid of the Afghan opener. At the end of the first six overs, KKR scored 46 for 3.
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Punjab Kings kept picking wickets at regular intervals not allowing the KKR batters to score runs easily. Arshdeep Singh then dismissed Venetaksh Iyer before the rain arrived with the scoreboard reading 146 for 7 in 16 overs. PBKS won the match by 7 runs via the DLS method.
Sam Curran, Nathan Ellis, and Sikandar Raza, and Rahul Chahar took 1 wicket each. For his 3 for 19 in 3 overs, Arshdeep Singh was named the player of the match.
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