Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will take on Punjab Kings (PBKS) in match number 53 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Monday, May 8. KKR are eighth in the points table with four wins and six losses. In their last match, they beat Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by five runs, coming back from a tough situation. Punjab are just above Kolkata in the points table, with five wins and five losses from 10 games. In their last game, they were hammered by Mumbai Indians (MI) by six wickets. Here are player battles for IPL 2023 match 53 between KKR and PBKS.
1. Jason Roy vs Nathan Ellis
Jason Roy has been in terrific form for KKR in the ongoing IPL. In four matches, he has smashed 43, 61, 56, and 20. Even since he joined the playing, XI, Kolkata have looked much stronger in the batting department. Roy played a poor stroke in the last game. He would like to make amends.
Nathan Ellis has done a good job for PBKS in IPL 2023. In the last match, he also registered figures of 2/34 against Mumbai Indians. Even as Punjab went down in the game, Ellis impressed, claiming the wickets of Cameron Green and Suryakumar Yadav. Can he get the better of Roy?
2. Prabhsimran Singh vs Harshit Rana
Prabhsimran Singh has played a few fine knocks for PBKS in IPL 2023. He has come in, thrown his bat around, and ended up providing good starts to the team. In his last five innings, he has scored 46, 26, 9, 42, and 9. He will look to give the team another blazing start.
With Umesh Yadav injured, Harshit Rana has come in and has done a decent job for KKR. He has claimed one wicket each in both the matches that he has played. Significantly, he has managed to keep things tight as well. Can Harshit succeed in stopping Prabhsimran from going all guns blazing?
3. Nitish Rana vs Rahul Chahar
KKR skipper Nitish Rana’s performance has mirrored that of the team. He has blown hot and cold. Rana has got a number of starts but has failed to convert most. He has crossed 40 in his last two matches, proving he is in decent form. Can Rana come up with a captain’s knock?
PBKS leggie Rahul Chahar has had a completely forgettable IPL 2023 campaign so far. He has only picked up three wickets in 10 matches at an average of 94.33 and an economy rate of 8.32. Chahar’s lack of efficiency has played a role in PBKS’ inconsistency. Can he stand up to Rana’s challenge?
4. Liam Livingstone vs Varun Chakaravarthy
Liam Livingstone played a spectacular innings for Punjab in the match against Mumbai. He clobbered an unbeaten 82 off 42 balls with seven fours and four sixes. It was a typical Livingstone knock, decked with big hits. He will look to build on the impressive performance.
Varun Chakaravarthy has been stellar for KKR in some of the last few matches in IPL 2023. He held his nerve in the last game against SRH and lifted the team to a five-run win. Before that, well, he has spun the team to victories. Can he stop a Livingstone onslaught?
5. Andre Russell vs Arshdeep Singh
Andre Russell has come in and played several destructive cameos for KKR in IPL 2023. He has struck the ball cleanly and has lifted KKR to the death. He has a strike rate of nearly 150 in the ongoing edition. He will want to continue in the same vein.
Arshdeep Singh has seen both sides of the coin in IPL 2023. He has knocked over batters with brilliant Yorkers. On the other hand, there have been days when he has been taken to the cleaners. It will be intriguing to see which Arshdeep turns up against Dre Russ on Monday.
