The upcoming IPL 2023 match between Punjab Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders is plagued with injury woes and unavailability of foreign players. The two teams are set to face each other in Mohali on April 1, with Punjab Kings led by Shikhar Dhawan, and Nitish Rana replacing the injured Shreyas Iyer as KOL captain.
Both the teams have many superstars in their squad and the fans are expecting a blockbuster match between the star-stunned Punjab Kings and 2-times title winner Kolkata Knight Riders. However, a few players from both these teams are also struggling through injuries or will miss the match 2 of the tournament due to international commitment.
PBKS vs KOL: Injury Updates for Match 2 of the Tournament
Punjab Kings
While Punjab Kings appear to be stronger than KOL on paper, they will miss the services of English player Jonny Bairstow, who has been ruled out of the entire IPL due to a leg injury he had sustained while playing golf last September. In his place, Punjab Kings have brought in BBL’s player-of-the-tournament this season, Matthew Short.
Other key players who will miss the opening game for Punjab Kings are all-rounder Liam Livingstone, who is yet to get clearance from the ECB following a knee injury, and South African Kagiso Rabada, who is on national duty.
PBKS Squad for IPL 2023:
Shikhar Dhawan (captain), Arshdeep Singh, Baltej Singh, Raj Bawa, Rahul Chahar, Sam Curran, Rishi Dhawan, Nathan Ellis, Harpreet Brar, Harpreet Singh, Vidwath Kaverappa, Mohit Rathee, Prabhsimran Singh, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, M Shahrukh Khan, Jitesh Sharma, Shivam Singh, Matthew Short, Sikandar Raza, Atharva Taide.
Player Missing: Jonny Bairstow
Also Read: PBKS vs KOL Dream11 Prediction Today’s Match, Preview, Predicted Playing XI, Pitch Report, Top Fantasy Picks, Captain and Vice Captain Choices, Match Prediction for 2nd Match, IPL 2023
Kolkata Knight Riders
On the other hand, Kolkata Knight Riders have also been hit by injuries, with regular skipper and batting mainstay Shreyas almost ruled out of the tournament with a back problem.
Apart from Shreyas Iyer, the two Bangladeshis Shakib Al Hasan and Litton Das are also going to miss the match 2 of the tournament due to national commitments.
Even though Lockie Fergusson have joined the KKR squad, he is a doubtful for the match 2 of the tournament on Saturday having injured his right hamstring last week.
KOL Squad for IPL 2023:
Nitish Rana (captain), Vaibhav Arora, Lockie Ferguson, Harshit Rana, Venkatesh Iyer, N Jagadeesan, Kulwant Khejroliya, Liton Das, Mandeep Singh, Sunil Narine, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Anukul Roy, Andre Russell, Shakib Al Hasan, Rinku Singh, Tim Southee, Suyash Sharma, Shardul Thakur, Varun Chakravarthy, David Wiese, Umesh Yadav.
Player Missing: Shreyas Iyer
Both teams will be hoping to put their best foot forward and shed their inconsistent past in the IPL 2023.