Who Will Bat at No.3 for Punjab Kings in IPL 2023? Here's the Answer

image-lfxt59rgPunjab bought Rajapaksa ahead of IPL 2022 (iplt20.com)

Ahead of the IPL 2023 clash between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), the former's vital foreign recruit Bhanuka Rajapaksa hinted that he will be playing in this edition of the league and talked a bit about his batting position for Punjab.

While talking to the broadcaster ahead of the toss, Rajapaksa said he would be batting his usual slot, i.e. Number 3.


Bhanuka Rajapaksa T20 career

However, the southpaw has played over 150 matches in his illustrious T20 career, smacking 2869 runs at an average of 23.13, with his strike being 135.52. He has snapped 11 fifties in the shortest format alongside his best of 100.

The explosive Sri Lankan batter had a blast in IPL 2023, batting in the top order, scoring 206 runs at a blistering strike rate of 159.69.

"Looking forward to today, hopefully, it will be a fast-scoring pitch. Yes, I will be batting at my usual position which is number 3." 

The 31-year-old further thanked his IPL franchise, stating that he is looking forward to playing for Punjab.

"First of all thanks for the opportunity given to play here. Yes, it's a new season, and some of them are new faces, I am looking forward to playing for PBKS. We played a couple of practice games here last week and it was a pretty good track to bat on," he concluded.

Apart from Rajapaksa, captain Shikhar Dhawan has picked English silk-stocker Sam Curran, Nathan Ellis and Zimbabwean all-rounder Sikandar Raza as their four foreign players for the clash against Kolkata.

At Mohali, KKR has won the toss and asked Punjab to bat first.