IPL 2023 | Key Players Battles To Watch Out For PBKS vs DC

image-lhqggx3tIshant Sharma | Source: Twitter 

Delhi Capitals will go head-to-head against Punjab Kings in the 64th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 at Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamshala on Wednesday, May 17. 

Punjab Kings will head into this game with their sights set on nothing but a victory, knowing that a defeat would seriously dent their playoff prospects. 

Delhi Capitals, on the other hand, having already been knocked out of the playoffs, will be looking to play the role of party poopers and prevent Punjab Kings from getting into the top four. 

However, before we rush into the excitement of the game, let’s take a look at the key players' battle and the potential threats they pose to each other: 

David Warner vs Arshdeep Singh:

image-lhqg8u05David Warner | Source: Twitter 

One of the standout duels in this match will be between Delhi Capitals captain David Warner and Punjab Kings' lead pacer Arshdeep Singh. 

Warner, who is also the current leading run scorer for the Capitals, has consistently shown his dominance against Arshdeep in the shortest format of the game, scoring 59 runs off 37 balls without getting dismissed so far. 

With Arshdeep entrusted with the responsibility of bowling with the new ball for Punjab Kings and Warner leading the charge as the opener for Delhi Capitals, the impending battle between them promises to be a captivating one. 

Warner vs Arshdeep: Runs - 59, Balls - 37, Outs - 0 

Shikhar Dhawan vs Ishant Sharma:

image-lhqg984eShikhar Dhawan | Source: Twitter 

Another intriguing battle looms between Punjab Kings' captain Shikhar Dhawan and the experienced pacer Ishant Sharma. 

Dhawan, a prolific batter in the shortest format, has found it challenging to get going against Ishant Sharma. Having faced 30 balls from the star pacer, he has managed to score 36 runs but has fallen victim to him on two occasions.  

Dhawan vs Ishant: Runs - 36, Balls - 30, Outs - 2 

Shikhar Dhawan vs Khaleel Ahmed:

image-lhqg9xwqKhaleel Ahmed | Source: Twitter 

Ishant Sharma is not the only bowler in the Delhi Capitals camp who can give Punjab Kings' opener Shikhar Dhawan a hard time. Khaleel Ahmed, the tall pacer from Delhi Capitals, has also emerged as a potential threat to Dhawan in T20s. 

As for the numbers, the 37-year-old has managed to score a mere 23 runs off 26 deliveries, with Khaleel also claiming his wicket once. Can Dhawan break through the barriers set by the pace duo of Ishant and Khaleel in this match? Time holds the answer.

Dhawan vs Khaleel: Runs - 23, Balls - 26, Outs - 1 

Sam Curran vs Ishant Sharma:

image-lhqgaftbIshant Sharma | Source: Twitter 

Another gripping contest awaits us as Sam Curran squares off against Ishant Sharma, with the latter having completely dominated the former in the shortest format of the game thus far. The English all-rounder has struggled to find his footing against Sharma, scoring a mere 43 runs off 73 deliveries, while falling victim to Ishant's bowling on two occasions. 

Curran vs Ishant: Runs - 48, Balls - 73, Outs - 2