PBKS vs DC is the penultimate match for both teams in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 season. It is a must-win match for Punjab Kings (PBKS), who have 12 points from as many games. With just four wins so far, Delhi Capitals’ (DC) playoff hopes are over, and they would want to avoid a bottom-place finish.
HPCA Stadium, Dharamsala, will host IPL match 64 on Wednesday at 7:30 PM.
Punjab Kings
PBKS’ confidence will be high after a comfortable victory over DC in their last game. Prabhsimran Singh was the architect in that victory, scoring his maiden IPL hundred. The 22-year-old’s brilliant knock will ease the pressure on Shikhar Dhawan, the franchise’s leading run-scorer this season. If the opening duo sets the tone, the likes of Liam Livingstone, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, and Jithesh Sharma can up the ante in the middle and death overs.
With the spinners finding much-needed rhythm in their last game, the PBKS bowling unit looks strong. Arshdeep Singh and Nathan Ellis are the most reliable players in the pace bowling department. After picking up four wickets against DC, Harpreet Brar will be keen to sustain the momentum. Rahul Chahar, too, was outstanding in Delhi.
Delhi Capitals
Against PBKS last week, DC’s downfall was its batting. David Warner and Phil Salt dominated the powerplay. However, once the duo departed, it was a free fall. Rilee Rossouw, Mitchell Marsh, Manish Pandey, and Axar Patel were dismissed cheaply. With nothing to play for, it would be interesting to see if DC will bring Prithvi Shaw and Rovman Powell back into the playing 11.
Ishant Sharma has produced a string of impressive performances. He has the best economy rate among DC fast bowlers. Spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel, too, are having decent campaigns so far. Both players have ten wickets each and haven’t let the batters target them in the middle overs.
PBKS vs DC Head-to-Head
DC has won four of its last five matches against PBKS. However, the Kings have a better head-to-head record against the Capitals. PBKS won 16 matches, while DC grabbed 15 victories. Prabhsimran Singh and Harpreet Brar powered PBKS to victory in the recent outing against DC.
PBKS vs DC Last Five Meetings
PBKS & DC IPL 2023 Stats
- Top Run-scorer: Shikhar Dhawan – 356 runs (PBKS); David Warner – 384 runs (DC)
- Most Wickets: Arshdeep Singh – 16 wickets (PBKS); Mitchell Marsh – 12 wickets (DC)
- Most Sixes: Simran Singh – 19 sixes (PBKS); Axar Patel – 14 sixes (DC)
PBKS vs DC – Who Will Win?
PBKS has the edge over DC thanks to their convincing victory over the David Warner-led side in the first meeting between both teams this season. Also, the Mohali-based outfit has a better batting unit than DC’s. On Wednesday, it will likely be a second successive win for PBKS against DC in IPL 2023.