Will PBKS manage to utilize Dhawan's experience to win IPL 2023?

Punjab Kings have played three games so far in the Indian Premier League 2023 and have won two games, with the only loss coming against the Sunrisers Hyderabad in their previous outing. PBKS are one of the three teams which are a part of the IPL since the inaugural edition and have failed to win the trophy. They have managed to qualify for the playoffs only twice in 15 years and finished as the runner-up in 2014. PBKS have finished in sixth place in the last four seasons and will try their best to finish in the top four this season.

They made some big noises at the auction table last year after purchasing Sam Curran for INR 18.5 crores, and he became the most expensive buy in the auction’s history. They also roped in Zimbabwean all-rounder Sikandar Raza for his base price. English wicketkeeper-batter Jonny Bairstow was ruled out of the tournament and was replaced by Matthew Short. Short won the Player of the Tournament in the Big Bash League this season, scoring over 400 runs and picking 11 wickets.

PBKS Team Setup in IPL 2023

Prabhsimran Singh and Shikhar Dhawan have opened the innings for PBKS in all three games and have provided some fiery starts to the team. Dhawan is the tournament’s leading run-scorer and scored 225 runs in three games. Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Sikandar Raza, Sam Curran, Nathan Ellis, and Matthew Short are the overseas players that the Punjab Kings have used so far in the tournament. Rajapaksa suffered a freak injury during the second game against Rajasthan Royals as a ball hit by Dhawan hit him while standing at the non-striker’s stand.

Liam Livingstone landed in India and will be available for the next game on Thursday (April 13). Kagiso Rabada is already there and can be slotted any time to add more fireworks to the bowling unit. If PBKS manages to get Rabada in the playing 11, they will have one of the best pace bowling units in the form of Arshdeep Singh, Ellis, Rabada, and Curran. Arshdeep is the leading wicket-taker for the team, with six wickets in three games at an average of 14.33.

Livingstone can play a big role in the middle order that has struggled in the tournament. He can also bowl four overs if required and be brought in place of Matthew Short, who batted in third place in the last game. Shahrukh Khan and Sam Curran are in the lower middle order and can finish matches with their excellent batting skills. Mohit Rathee made his IPL debut in the last game but might be replaced by Rishi Dhawan in this game.

Harpreet Brar and Rahul Chahar are the two spinners in the squad. Brar has so far failed to pick a wicket but has been very economical. Chahar has taken two wickets in three games, and PBKS will be expecting him to deliver a little more in the next few games. PBKS can walk into the next game with the playing 11 consisting of a few minor changes.

They can bring in Livingstone in place of Short and Rishi in place of Rathee. Their strategy of naming only three overseas players in the starting lineup can help them use Rabada as an impact player. The inclusion of Rabada can help PBKS maintain pressure in the death overs. Rabada has taken 49 wickets in death overs at an economy of 9.45 so far in IPL.

Important Upcoming Encounters for PBKS

Punjab Kings are scheduled to play their next two games against the Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Super Giants, respectively. These two have emerged as the strongest teams so far in the tournament, and a win against them can act as a confidence booster for PBKS. Three of their next five games will be played at their home venue in Mohali, and they can look to outperform the opponents in these matches.

On Thursday (April 20), PBKS will host Royal Challengers Bangalore in Mohali. This will likely be one of the most important games for the team next week. They have dominated RCB in the past few games and will want to maintain their streak. RCB have won just a single game against PBKS in their last six encounters.

Can PBKS Win IPL 2023?

Apart from being one of the best batters this season, Shikhar Dhawan has managed to showcase some exceptional captaincy skills. Punjab Kings have never looked this dominating in the first few games in the last few seasons, with all their bases covered. They have one of the best bowling lineups in the tournament. Their pace attack can dominate any batting unit on a given day.

However, there are still some issues that the team has faced so far this season. Their spinners are yet to join the party and have struggled so far. The batting unit has revolved around Dhawan, which might not help them in the long run. Livingstone will be ready to provide a definite shape to the batting unit, but he has not played any international game since December last year. PBKS might finish in the top four this season but winning the trophy might be too much to ask from them.