Punjab Kings are currently in a must-win situation | Source: AP Photo
The 64th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 will be played between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Delhi Capitals (DC) at Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamshala on Wednesday, May 17.
Team Previews
Punjab Kings
Punjab Kings have had a season summarised by inconsistency, winning six games and losing as many out of the total 12 matches played. They currently hold the eighth position on the points table with 12 points to their credit.
Riding high on a massive 31-run victory over Delhi, the Kings will head into this match with a burning desire to maintain their winning momentum.
However, the road ahead is far from easy for them, particularly when considering that the remaining two games are a must-win for them if they are to stay in contention for the playoffs in the tournament.
Delhi Capitals
The fortune has not smiled upon the Capitals this season, as they find themselves in the unfortunate position of being the first team to be eliminated from the tournament. With just four wins out of the 12 matches played, they are currently languishing at the bottom of the points table.
However, it is often said that when someone has nothing to lose, they can become a force to be reckoned with. In a similar vein, the DC, with nothing at stake, might become the catalyst for disrupting the plans of other teams and could potentially spoil the party for the Punjab Kings in this match.
Match Details
Date and Time: 17 May, 7:30 PM IST
Venue: Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamshala
Live Streaming and Broadcast: Jio Cinema & Star Sports Network
Pitch Report: This is going to be the first IPL game at Dharamshala. Given its track record, one can expect plenty of runs and a high-scoring encounter here. The T20 matches played at this venue have predominantly favoured the team batting first, and hence, the toss winner is expected to adhere to this trend and opt for batting first. Furthermore, the average first innings score at this ground hovers around 175 runs.
Predicted Playing XI
Punjab Kings: Prabhsimran Singh, Shikhar Dhawan (c), Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Sam Curran, Sikandar Raza, Shahrukh Khan, Harpreet Brar, Rishi Dhawan, Rahul Chahar, Arshdeep Singh
Delhi Capitals: David Warner (c), Philip Salt (wk), Mitchell Marsh, Rilee Rossouw, Aman Hakim Khan, Axar Patel, Praveen Dubey, Kuldeep Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Khaleel Ahmed, Mukesh Kumar
Cricket Exchange Fantasy Tips
Wicket-Keeper: Philip Salt, Jitesh Sharma, Prabhsimran Singh
Batters: David Warner, Shikhar Dhawan
All-Rounders: Mitchell Marsh, Axar Patel, Liam Livingstone, Sam Curran
Bowlers: Arshdeep Singh, Nathan Ellis
Captain: Mitchell Marsh
Vice-Captain: Sam Curran
Prediction
Both teams are evenly matched on paper, but Punjab Kings have utilized their resources and players effectively compared to Delhi Capitals. Additionally, they have the momentum on their side, making them the clear favourites heading into the game.
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