The Indian Premier League (IPL) continues with its 38th match on April 28, as the Punjab Kings (PBKS) take on the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the PCA IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali. Both teams have experienced similar starts to their IPL 2023 campaigns, winning four of their first seven matches. The two sides last faced off in Lucknow earlier this season, where the Punjab Kings handed the Super Giants their first home loss.
The current head-to-head record between the Punjab Kings and the Lucknow Super Giants stands at 1-1. The Super Giants joined the IPL last year, winning their first encounter with the Kings. This season, however, PBKS managed to level the score with a memorable victory.
The upcoming match will be the first time the two teams compete in Mohali, with no previous head-to-head record at this venue. The Punjab Kings have played 58 matches in total at the PCA IS Bindra Stadium, winning 30. The Lucknow Super Giants, on the other hand, are set to play their first-ever match in Mohali.
During their last encounter in Lucknow, the Punjab Kings defeated the Lucknow Super Giants by two wickets. Punjab played without their regular captain Shikhar Dhawan, who was out due to injury. Instead, Sam Curran led the team to victory. After restricting LSG to 159/8 in the first innings, the Kings chased down the target with three balls to spare, thanks to Sikandar Raza’s half-century and an unbeaten 23 off 10 balls from Shahrukh Khan.
Looking forward, both teams have their sights set on the top half of the points table. The Lucknow Super Giants, led by KL Rahul, hope to bounce back after losing two of their last three games. Their bowling unit, featuring Amit Mishra, Ravi Bishnoi, and Krunal Pandya, has been performing well and could give them an edge against PBKS.
The Punjab Kings, on the other hand, are eager to welcome back their captain Shikhar Dhawan, who missed the last three matches due to a shoulder injury. In his absence, Curran led the team to two victories. PBKS has experienced some struggles in the top order, with Prabhsimran Singh and Liam Livingstone often taking on the responsibility of rescuing the innings. The team will also be looking for improved performances from their bowlers, as Arshdeep Singh has often appeared to be their lone successful bowler.