On Saturday, there will be two IPL matches scheduled and in the first match, Punjab Kings will compete against Kolkata Knight Riders. Punjab Kings have never won an IPL title and have made substantial changes to their squad for this season. Kolkata Knight Riders have appointed Nitish Rana as their captain due to Shreyas Iyer’s injury.
Last season, Punjab Kings achieved 7 victories out of 14 matches and secured the sixth position on the points table. Meanwhile, Kolkata Knight Riders won 6 matches out of 14 and obtained the seventh spot on the table.
The article presents the top three fantasy team picks for the PBKS vs KKR match, based on the players’ current form. In addition to the players’ recent performances, an “X factor” is also taken into consideration in making the top fantasy picks, which is based on their proven ability in T20 matches.
IPL 2023 PBKS vs KKR: Top 3 Fantasy Team Picks for Match 2
1. Andre Russell
Andre Russell is a highly acclaimed superstar who has repeatedly achieved remarkable feats in cricket matches, earning a reputation as a major game-changer and big match-winner. In the previous season, Andre Russell was among the standout performers for the Kolkata Knight Riders, showcasing his exceptional all-round abilities. He scored a total of 335 runs in 14 games with an impressive strike rate of 174.47, exhibiting his powerful hitting prowess. Additionally, he also picked up 17 wickets at an average of 16.35, demonstrating his skillful bowling abilities. Overall, Russell’s performance in the last season was a key factor in KKR’s success and made him a valuable asset for the team.
2. Shikhar Dhawan
In the previous season, Shikhar Dhawan emerged as the top run-scorer for the Kings, displaying his exceptional batting prowess. He accumulated a total of 460 runs in 14 innings, with an impressive average of 38.33 and a strike rate of 122.66. His outstanding performance played a crucial role in the team’s success. Furthermore, he holds the distinction of being the second-highest run-scorer in the tournament, demonstrating his consistency in scoring runs. Additionally, he is among the two batters who have scored over 6000 runs in the tournament, highlighting his experience and ability in the game. Overall, Dhawan is a valuable asset to the Kings, and his performance will be pivotal to the team’s success in the upcoming season.
3. Shardul Thakur
Shardul Thakur is a 31-year-old bowling all-rounder who made his debut in the Indian Premier League in 2015. He will be representing his fifth franchise, Kolkata Knight Riders, in the upcoming season. Thakur played for Delhi Capitals in the previous season, where he showcased his bowling prowess. He picked up 15 wickets in 14 games, with an average of 31.53, an economy rate of 9.78, and a strike rate of 19.3. His impressive performance earned him a reputation as a reliable bowler in the league. Sometimes Thakur’s ability to contribute with the bat further adds to his value as a valuable all-rounder. Overall, his inclusion in the KKR squad will undoubtedly bolster the team’s bowling department and provide additional depth to their batting lineup.