In the 38th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023, Punjab Kings (PBKS) will face Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the PCA Stadium in Mohali. PBKS will hope to double their dominance over KL Rahul and the company when they will host them. PBKS, who could see skipper Shikhar Dhawan return, are coming off their fourth win of the season, while LSG, led by KL Rahul, are coming off their third loss of the season. So far, both PBKS and LSG have won four of seven games. Notably, early in the season, PBKS beat LSG by two wickets.
The two teams will now meet in Mohali’s PCA Stadium, which will host its fourth match of the season. PBKS began with a 7-run (DLS Method) victory over Kolkata Knight Riders but then fell to Gujarat Titans by an 8-wicket margin and Royal Challengers Bangalore by a 24-run margin at the venue. The team will look to get back on the winning track at the home ground. On the other hand, LSG will look to avenge the loss of the last game between the two teams.
PBKS vs LSG: Pitch Report
Similar to most of the cricket grounds in the country the PCA Stadium is a batting paradise. It has been phenomenal for the batters with even bounce and pace on offer. However, in the first five overs, it assists pace bowlers with some swing. The average IPL score when batting first at the ground is 166.
History indicates that the teams chasing has had an advantage as teams bowling first has won 58% of games on the ground. But for a change in IPL 2023, the team that bats first has won two games out of three. Notably, those two victories were in day games, while the team chasing won the one game played at night. This game is also a night game so teams will keep this fact in mind.
Head-to-head records:
Punjab Kings have faced Lucknow Super Giants twice in the tournament. In 2022 when PBKS faced LSG at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. LSG batting first scored 153-8 in 20 overs thanks to Quinton de Kock’s amazing batting performance. In response, PBKS failed to capitalise on the opportunity and struggled against Krunal Pandya’s bowling. They were restricted to 133-8 in 20 overs.
In the second game which occurred this season, PBKS beat LSG in a nail-biting thriller by two wickets. After batting first LSG posted a competitive total of 159-8 in 20 overs. In response, PBKS with the help of Sikandar Raza’s amazing half-century beat LSG by two wickets.
Total Matches: 2
PBKS won: 1
LSG won: 1
Record on venue: This is the first game between these two teams at the PCA Stadium in Mohali.
PBKS vs LSG: Players to watch out for
Shikhar Dhawan: The PBKS skipper Shikhar Dhawan has missed the last three games due to an injury. However, he is set to make a return against LSG and the team will hope him to continue his magic with the bat. In the ongoing tournament, he has scored 233 runs in just four innings with the help of two half-centuries including an unbeaten 99.
KL Rahul: The Lucknow Super Giants skipper KL Rahul is in red hot form. He has been consistently scoring runs for his team and will look to continue his dominance with the bat. He has scored 272 runs with the help of two half-centuries in 7 matches in the IPL 2023. However, the team will expect him to score with a better strike rate.
Arshdeep Singh: Star India pacer has been phenomenal in the ongoing tournament. His amazing last-over heroic against Mumbai Indians helped Punjab to clinch an amazing victory. With 13 wickets in seven matches, Arshdeep will look to make an impact in the game.
Ravi Bishnoi: With the inexperienced batting lineup of Punjab Kings, Ravi Bishnoi will look to continue his magic with the bowl. He has already clinched eight wickets in the ongoing tournament and will hope to bag more.
Kyle Mayers: Star Carribbean batter Kyle Mayers has been a great find for LSG in the ongoing season. With some amazing batting performances, he has forced Quinton de Kock to sit on the bench. He has scored 243 runs in seven games and will be excited to bat on another small ground.
Key Milestone might be achieved in PBKS vs LSG game:
LSG’s Ravi Bishnoi needs 5 more wickets to reach 50 for the IPL. On the other hand, as the third-highest wicket-taker in IPL history, Amit Mishra of LSG needs just 1 more wicket to overcome Lasith Malinga (170).
Deepak Hooda of LSG is 37 runs short of reaching 3000 total runs in T20 cricket. Meanwhile, his teammate Bhanuka Rajapaksa is just 10 runs short of reaching 3000 runs in T20 cricket.
Shikhar Dhawan has the opportunity to join David Warner, who has 57 fifties so far, as the second player in IPL history to reach 50 fifties. With 49 fifties under his belt, Kohli is tied for second with Dhawan. Dhawan is also 23 runs short of reaching 6500 IPL runs.
