IPL 2023 Predictions: PBKS vs LSG

The 38th match of the Indian Premier League 2023 will be played between Punjab Kings and Lucknow Super Giants on Friday 28th April 2023 at Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium, Mohali.

PBKS have have won 4 of their 7 matches so far and are sixth in the table.

LSG has also won 4 and lost 3 so far. The two sides are locked on 8 points, but are separated by Net Run Rate (NRR).

In their IPL history, Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have faced each other twice, with each team winning one match.

In the first half of IPL 2023, PBKS defeated LSG by five wickets at the Ekana Stadium.

The pitch is favourable to the batsmen.

In the nine matches played here, the team bowling first has won five times and the team batting first has won four times.

The average score on this pitch is around 168 runs. Therefore, it would be a wise decision to choose to bat first if a team wins the toss

The key player for Punjab is Sam Curran.

In Shikhar Dhawan’s absence, Curran is not only their captain but their most influential all-rounder.

Curran has played six innings so far, scoring 87 runs at an average of 21.75 and a strike rate of 117.56.

He has also taken five wickets with the ball. In the last match against Mumbai, he scored a brilliant 55 runs off 29 balls and was the player of the match.

In fact, Punjab were 80 odd for four at the half-way stage but Curran and Harpreet Singh started the onslaught that powered them to 214.

In reply, Mumbai Indians were always under pressure and thanks to Arshdeep Singh’s stunning death over skills, finished 13 runs short. Punjab got those crucial two points are now at the sixth position with 8 points.

Arshdeep has been the star bowler for Punjab Kings with thirteen wickets in seven matches. He has a bowling average of 19.44 and an economy of 7.13 which is brilliant.

For LSG, KL Rahul is their batting talisman scoring 194 runs in six games at an average of 32.33 and a strike rate of 114.79.

He has scored over 4000 runs in 115 games at an average of 46.93 and a strike rate of 135.02.

LSG’s current form is patchy and their loss to GT in their last match will haunt them for a long time. Lucknow was cruising along at 105 for 1 after 14 overs with 31 needed off 36 deliveries while chasing a target of 136.

However, shockingly they couldn’t break free and ended up at 128 for 7 after 20 overs.

LSG need to find a way to play Quinton de Kock. In the last 2 games, Kyle Mayers’ strike rate has been a source of concern.

Also, Deepak Hooda has been struggling to find form this season. Lucknow might think about bringing Krishnappa Gowtham into the playing XI.

On the flip side, Marcus Stoinis has performed well for LSG with both bat and ball. In the last 2 matches, he has picked up 4 wickets and has scored 144 runs in 7 matches at a strike rate of 145.45.

Punjab Kings Playing 11

Atharva Taide, Prabhsimran Singh, Matthew Short, Liam Livingstone, Sam Curran (c), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Harpreet Singh Bhatia, Shahrukh Khan, Harpreet Brar, Rahul Chahar, Arshdeep Singh.

Lucknow Super Giants Playing 11

KL Rahul (c), Kyle Mayers/Quinton de Kock, Deepak Hooda, Marcus Stoinis, Krunal Pandya, Nicholas Pooran (wk), Ayush Badoni, Naveen-ul-Haq, Amit Mishra, Avesh Khan, Ravi Bishnoi.

Who will win

Punjab is rising high after beating Mumbai and their key players like Curran and Arshdeep have hit a rich vein of form. Their batting is also looking solid and they have the home advantage.

Hence we predict PBKS will emerge winners.