IPL 2024: Punjab Kings' strongest predicted playing XI against Kolkata Knight Riders, Match 42

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Punjab Kings (PBKS) will lock horns with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in Match 42 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. Kolkata’s Eden Gardens will set the stage for their local boys to battle it out against PBKS for the first time this season. The hosts are currently second in the points table, while PBKS are placed ninth.

Entering the second half of the tournament, Punjab have won only two games out of eight matches. They are coming on the back of a three-wicket loss to Gujarat Titans (GT). The over-reliance on Shashank Singh and Ashutosh Sharma is one of the reasons for their poor run of form.

PBKS will need a miraculous turnaround if they are to seek a spot in the playoffs. When looking at the head-to-head record of the two, KKR won 21 matches while PBKS won 11. The upper hand for KKR is pretty clear on all counts, but can PBKS stun the Eden Gardens crowd on Friday, April 25?

Here's the probable playing XI for PBKS versus KKR IPL 2024 clash:

Openers: Shikhar Dhawan (c), Prabhsimran Singh

Shikhar Dhawan has not played in the last few matches due to injury. However, the captain's absence did not hurt the team much, thanks to his poor performance with the bat. Stand-in captain Sam Curran opened the innings in Dhawan's absence, but that too did not yield the desired result.

The veteran cricketer is expected to return for the upcoming match and will need to step up and dispel all concerns about their opening pair. Prabhsimran Singh has been alternating his batting positions between opener and number three. However, he has not been able to make a significant impact in either position.

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Middle-order: Rilee Rossouw, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Shashank Singh, Ashutosh Sharma

Rilee Rossow was warming the bench for the first six games, and when he got a chance to swing his willow, he failed to make it count. Having failed to touch the 10-run mark in the last two matches, the Proteas big-hitter will be eager to showcase his big-hitting prowess. Jitesh Sharma has not lived up to the occasion this season. Barring a few cameos, the keeper-batter failed to deliver what was needed in the middle order.

Shashank Singh and Ashutosh Sharma are the most formidable pairs of this season. Both have been batting ruthlessly to get their team out of trouble. Batting in the lower middle order, Ashutosh has scored 159 runs from five innings at a staggering strike rate of 189.29. Both failed to shine in the last match, which resulted in a three-wicket loss for PBKS.

All-rounders: Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone

Sam Curran is a vital cog in the PBKS unit. The English all-rounder has taken 10 wickets so far, five of which have come in the last three matches. But Curran has not been at his best with the bat this season. He opened the innings in the last two matches but failed to score big runs. The southpaw will bat in the middle order against KKR as Shikhar Dhawan is likely to return to the squad.

Liam Livingstone was expected to set the tournament on fire with his big hitting. However, he has yet to explode and could score just 28 runs in the last three matches. He is a very difficult player to control once he gets going and KKR will be aware of the danger. Livingstone, who took two wickets in the last match at an economy of just 4.80, is also a handy spin bowler.

Bowlers: Harpreet Brar, Harshal Patel, Kagiso Rabada

Harpreet Brar performed well in the initial matches but went wicketless in the last three matches. The left-arm orthodox bowler will not give away easy runs and will constantly trouble the opposition with his tight length. Veteran pacer Kagiso Rabada and Harshal Patel will do the pace bowling duties.

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Harshal may be expensive, but his critics have to admit that he has a knack for taking wickets. He is currently the third-highest wicket-taker in the series with 13 scalps. Rabada is a go-to-bowler for PBKS captain. But the Proteas pacer conceded an economy of over 10 in the last two matches. He will be aiming to put up a brilliant show with the ball against KKR.

PBKS' predicted XI against KKR:

Shikhar Dhawan (c), Prabhsimran Singh, Rilee Rossouw, Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Shashank Singh, Ashutosh Sharma, Harpreet Brar, Harshal Patel, Kagiso Rabada

Impact Substitute: Arshdeep Singh

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