 started IPL 2023 with a win, defeating Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) by seven runs){kind=link}
Mohali: KKR vs PBKS IPL 2023: Punjab Kings (PBKS) started IPL 2023 with a win, defeating Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) by seven runs in a rain-affected contest in Mohali. The hosts, who won the toss and choose to pitch, got off to a slow start, with Bhanuka Rajapaksa leading the charge. Rajapaksa hit a 32-ball 50 and shared an 86-run second-wicket stand with skipper Shikhar Dhawan.
Dhawan was caught for 40 (29), while Sam Curran contributed an unbeaten 26 off 17 balls. In response, KKR got off to a bad start, as Arshdeep Singh took two wickets in his first over and Nathan Ellis took one shortly after.
However, skipper Nitish Rana and KKR Impact Player Venkatesh Iyer helped to calm things down before Sikandar Raza removed the KKR skipper for 24 hours (17). Following his dismissal, KKR lost one more wicket before Andrew Russell took control of the situation. He scored 35 points in 19 balls.
When the rain came down, Shardul Thakur and Sunil Narine were batting in the middle. At the time, Kolkata needed 46 runs to win in four overs, while Punjab led by 7 runs using the DLS method. Tim Southee, on the other hand, was the most expensive KKR bowler. In his quota, the Kiwi quick conceded 54 runs and also took two wickets.
KKR vs PBKS IPL 2023 Highlights
PBKS 191/5 (20)
KKR 146/7 (16)
Punjab Kings won by 7 runs (DLS method)
PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Arshdeep Singh