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Punjab Kings host Kolkata Knight Riders in the Saturday afternoon fixture of the 2023 IPL. The bookies are expecting a close contest with Punjab Kings slight favourites at 4/5 (1.80) ahead of Kolkata Knight Riders at 1/1 (2.00).
These odds from Ladbrokes were correct at the time of writing.
- Punjab Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders
- Match 2, IPL 2023 – 11:00 GMT
- Inderjit Singh Bindra Stadium, Mohali
Pitch Report and Weather Conditions
Contents
Across all formats, the surface in Mohali is often a good one for spinners. However, as with all pitches for the IPL we would be surprised if there was a lack of pace in the wicket. Any total over 185 will be very hard to chase in the second innings of the match.
The humidity levels will be particularly high throughout this game. Thunderstorms are forecast earlier in the day and there could well be a short interruption or two during this match.
Punjab Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders – Match Predictions
Of the 30 contests between the sides, Kolkata Knight Riders have come out on top in 20 of them. Punjab Kings finished one place above KKR last year but both teams were in mid-table positions and never threatened the upper reaches of the table. Both teams are not at full strength for this clash but we are backing Punjab Kings to have enough batting quality to win.
Prediction 1
Kolkata Knight Riders to hit most sixes
1/2 (2.00)
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Prediction 2
Arshdeep Singh to be Punjab Kings' Top Bowler
7/2 (4.50)
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Probable 6s
Although Punjab Kings have the stronger batting line-up, there is more power in the Kolkata Knight Riders batters. By this we mean, Punjab Kings have the likes of Shikhar Dhawan, who is the leading four hitter in IPL history. Whereas Kolkata Knight Riders have Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Andre Russell and Tim Southee who are all renowned for their six hitting ability.
Our prediction: Kolkata Knight Riders to hit most sixes in the match at 1/1 (2.00).
Probable Wickets
With Kagiso Rabada unavailable for Punjab Kings and Shakib Al Hasan unavailable for Kolkata Knight Riders, the scene is set for Arshdeep Singh to star with the ball. The 24 year old left-arm swing bowler is able to bowl devastating yorkers at the start and end of the innings. Although his line can be a little erratic, his control of length is exceptional and he very rarely goes wicketless.
Our prediction: Arshdeep Singh to be Punjab Kings’ highest wicket-taker at 7/2 (4.50).
Man of the Match
Shikhar Dhawan made his IPL debut in 2008 and he has maintained a very high level of performance from 2011 onwards in this tournament. Only the great Virat Kohli has scored more IPL runs than Dhawan’s total of 6244 and we expect the Punjab Kings’ skipper to be the main difference between the two teams on Saturday afternoon.
Our prediction: Shikhar Dhawan to be the Man of the Match at 8/1 (9.00).
Punjab Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders Preview
Neither of these sides set the tournament alight last year and they are both not in the favourites for the 2023 competition. However, if they get a good start in the campaign then who knows!
Punjab Kings
Due to Liam Livingstone’s injury problems and Kagiso Rabada’s international commitments, it could be argued that Punjab Kings are without their most dominant batter and most potent pace bowler for this game.
Shikhar Dhawan is one of the most reliable batters in the history of the IPL and there are plenty of run scoring options lower down the order from the likes of Sikandar Raza and Sam Curran. Punjab Kings also have excellent bowling variety in their side.
Predicted XI: Shikhar Dhawan (c), Bhanuka Rajapaksa (wk), Harpreet Singh, Sam Curran, Sikandar Raza, Shahrukh Khan, Harpreet Brar, Rahul Chahar, Arshdeep Singh, Nathan Ellis, Raj Bawa
Kolkata Knight Riders
The team which takes the field for Kolkata Knight Riders will not have been what was expected when the squad was finalised earlier this year. Shakib Al Hasan and Litton Das have both only just finished their bilateral series with Ireland and skipper Shreyas Iyer is injured and has had to be replaced by Nitish Rana.
There is certainly aggression in the Kolkata Knight Riders’ batting but there are serious questions about their ability to post consistent totals.
Predicted XI: N.Jagadeesan (wk), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Nitish Rana (c), Rinku Singh, Venkatesh Iyer, Andre Russell, Shardul Thakur, Tim Southee, Umesh Yadav, Lockie Ferguson, Varun Chakravarthy
How to Watch Punjab Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders in the UK: Live Streaming & Channel List
Watching an IPL fixture is always an event! You can follow this game on the Sky Sports Cricket channel or via the Sky Go App on a mobile device.
- Sky Sports Cricket (TV)
- Sky Go (Streaming)
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