The 38th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 will be played between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the PCA Stadium in Mohali. PBKS is currently placed at the sixth position on the points table of this season of IPL whereas LSG is currently placed fourth on the points table. PBKS played seven games in this season of the IPL where they managed to win four matches while LSG also played seven matches in this season where they too, won four games.
Punjab Kings played their last game against Mumbai Indians (MI) and they won the game by 13 runs. Harpreet Singh and Sam Curran smashed 41 runs and 55 runs respectively for PBKS in that game. On the other hand, LSG suffered a close 7-run loss against Gujarat Titans. KL Rahul hammered 68 runs for Lucknow Super Giants in that game.
ALSO READ: Match 38 (PBKS vs LSG) – Playing XI And Fantasy XI Predictions
These two teams have played have played a couple of matches against each other in the history of IPL so far where both Punjab Kings and Lucknow Super Giants won one game each. The last time they played against each other this season, Punjab Kings (PBKS) bested Lucknow Super Giants by 2 wickets.
Here are the anticipated player battles.
#1 KL Rahul vs Arshdeep Singh
Arshdeep Singh, who has been going to a purple catch in IPL 2023, dismissed KL Rahul when the two sides met earlier this season. He has conceded just 17 runs in 3 overs in this battle. As KL Rahul was associated with PBKS from 2018 to 2021, he would have faced Arshdeep a lot in the nets. Overall, Rahul has fallen prey to left-arm pacers 12 times in 59 innings.
#2 Nicholas Pooran vs Rahul Chahar
Nicholas Pooran has played some breathing cameos in the IPL 2023 and would not mind giving PBKS bowlers a hard time. He could be up against Rahul Chahar in the middle overs. Though leg-spinners have often got the better of Pooran five times in 27 IPL innings, the latter strikes at 158.77 against them. He smashed Chahar for 32 runs off 20 balls without being dismissed.
#3 Shikhar Dhawan vs Mark Wood
PBKS’s regular skipper Shikhar Dhawan, who missed his side’s last three matches due to a shoulder injury, is expected to return. He would be required to tackle Mark Wood in the initial overs. Since 2022, Wood has claimed seven wickets in the powerplay in 11 T20 innings (ER: 8.35). Dhawan’s strike rate in this phase in IPL 2023 reads 118.36.
