IPL 2023: Big Blow For Punjab Kings As Shikhar Dhawan Misses Game vs Lucknow Super Giants - Here's Why

15.04.2023 - 14:25 sports.ndtv.com

Shikhar Dhawan was ruled out of Punjab Kings' Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 encounter against Lucknow Super Giants due to injury on Saturday.

The PBKS skipper suffered a niggle during the last match against Gujarat Titans and he was replaced by Sam Curran as the captain.

PBKS is at the sixth position in the points table with a total of four points and two wins and two losses in four matches. LSG is at the second position with six points, three wins and a loss in four matches.

Atharva Taide makes his IPL debut with PBKS. Curran won the toss and opted to field at the Ekana Stadium. PBKS skipper Curran said at the toss, "We will bowl first.

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Lucknow Super Giants will be looking to bounce back from their loss against Royal Challengers Bangalore and the subsequent controversies when they take on Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 on Wednesday. However, their problems are far from over as skipper KL Rahul may miss out due to injury that he sustained in the previous game. Rahul had to leave the field in pain and although he came out to bat, he found it almost impossible to run between the wickets.

Pics: Big Blow For Gautam Gambhir's LSG; Captain KL Rahul Suffers Injury, Leaves Field In Pain During IPL 2023 Match vs RCB

In their home match against Royal Challengers Bangalore in Lucknow on Monday, Lucknow Super Giants were dealt an early blow with their skipper KL Rahul leaving the field, grimacing in pain after a fielding attempt. The incident happened on the final ball of the second over by Marcus Stoinis, when Rahul appeared to have pulled his hamstring while attempting to stop a boundary from RCB skipper Faf du Plessis at covers. As Rahul was running to stop the ball, he fell on the ground midway and held his right leg in pain. He was immediately attended by the physios and was taken off the field.

Watch: How Sikandar Raza Ruined MS Dhoni's Plan To Clinch Last-Over Win For Punjab Kings

Sikandar Raza outsmarted MS Dhoni's well laid out plans to clinch a thrilling last-ball win for Punjab Kings against Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 on Sunday. With 3 runs needed from the final delivery, Dhoni made a few changes to the field with three fielders on the leg side along with a sweeper cover and a long-off. The plan was to target the leg stump and make sure that Raza was not able to hit a boundary. However, Raza was able to guide the ball above backward square leg and although the ball was stopped before the boundary, the batters ran three to win the game. It was a rare instance when “Captain Cool” was not able to implement his masterplan.

"Plans Wrong Or Execution Bad?": MS Dhoni's Blunt Take On Chennai Super Kings' Loss vs Punjab Kings In IPL 2023

Chennai Super Kings skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni was left ruing the four-wicket defeat to Punjab Kings in their own den, saying the bowlers need to be more aware of the situation and also indicated that the execution was probably "bad". CSK had a good chance of victory after posting 200 for four at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, thanks chiefly to another Devon Conway special of unbeaten 92, but the Shikhar Dhawan-led side hit the winning runs off the last ball to silence the yellow brigade on Sunday. "We lost it in a couple of overs in the middle. You need to be aware what you need to bowl and be clear because the batters will be going for it (big hits). (Matheesha) Pathirana bowled well but other than that, we need to see if the plans were wrong or the execution was bad," said Dhoni.

Chennai Super Kings Predicted XI vs Punjab Kings, IPL 2023: Will MS Dhoni And Co. Make Any Changes?

Four-time champions Chennai Super Kings are all set to take on Punjab Kings in their next IPL 2023 match on Sunday at Chepauk. The MS Dhoni-led side will be coming to this clash after facing a 32-run defeat against Rajasthan Royals but they will be favorites in the match against PBKS. CSK are dealing with the injury concerns of Deepak Chahar and Ben Stokes but have managed the proceedings well as youngsters like Tushar Deshpande, Matheesha Pathirana, and others are contributing well. There are chances that CSK might go ahead with their same side against PBKS.

"How Much Do They Eat?" Preity Zinta Reveals She Once Made 120 Aloo Paranthas For Punjab Kings Players. Harbhajan Singh Reacts

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is a melting pot of top cricket talents from around the world. It is one cricket competition, where all top cricketers want to be part of. It also gives domestic cricketers the opportunity to learn from the best and share the same dressing room with the legends. Funny incidents also emerge from the league, some involving the team owners too. Sharing one such instance, Punjab Kings co-owner Preity Zinta said that she once had to make 120 aloo paranthas for her team during the 2009 IPL in South Africa, when the team was called Kings XI Punjab.