In order to win its third game in the IPL 2023, Royal Challengers Bangalore, who has fallen to Punjab Kings in five of the previous six matches, will rely on the strength of its batting order.
IPL 2023 | India National Cricket Team | Chennai Super Kings (CSK) | Delhi Capitals (DC) | Gujarat Titans (GT) | Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) | Lucknow Supergiants (LSG) | Mumbai Indians (MI) | Punjab Kings (PBKS) | Rajasthan Royals (RR) | Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) | SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH)
Shikhar Dhawan will probably not play for Punjab Kings against Royal Challengers Bangalore on Thursday in the Indian Premier League (IPL), since he missed the team’s most recent game because of a shoulder ailment.
On the eve of the game, the 37-year-old had a fitness test at the King’s practise, and bowling coach Charl Langeveldt said that while Dhawan is recovering, he might not be ready to play again just yet.
I’m not a physiotherapist. He is recovering. For his rehab, he is progressing nicely. Though he is feeling better, he is still not quite there. The procedure will take some time, according to Langeveldt.
While Liam Livingstone, who has yet to play a game, will be eligible for selection, Dhawan’s absence will be a significant setback for the home club against a star-studded RCB.
Livingstone’s ability to hit for power may be useful on a surface that encourages batting.
With opposing fortunes, the two sides enter the game. Shahrukh Khan, Sikandar Raza, and Matthew Short all made big contributions to PBKS’ victory over Lucknow Super Giants, which contrasted with RCB’s narrow loss to the Chennai Super Kings.
Watching how Arshdeep Singh, Kagiso Rabada, and acting skipper Sam Curran handle the RCB hitters will be interesting.
With captain Faf du Plessis, opener Virat Kohli, and No. 4 Glenn Maxwell, RCB has a potent batting lineup. Dinesh Karthik and Shahbaz Ahmed give the middle order depth.
The batting order has been inconsistent, despite how powerful it may appear on paper.
With four points from five games and an eighth-place ranking, RCB must strengthen its weak areas if it wants to continue competing for a playoff spot.
RCB already boasts a strong fast bowling unit with Mohammed Siraj, Harshal Patel, and Wayne Parnell, and Josh Hazlewood’s return following his recovery might make it even stronger.
The advantage has been held by PBKS versus RCB in five of the last six meetings.
Virat Kohli | Rohit Sharma | Rishabh Pant | KL Rahul | Suryakumar Yadav | Sanju Samson | Shreyas Iyer | Yuzvendra Chahal | Jasprit Bum
