IPL 2024 – Match 2: PBKS vs DC Match Preview, Playing XI, Players to Watch, Key Stats
Both teams have won an equal number of matches in their IPL history when facing each other. The team that wins this match will take the lead.
The 2nd match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 will see Punjab Kings (PBKS) going head-to-head against Delhi Capitals (DC) on Saturday, March 23 at the newly built Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, Chandigarh.
The upcoming encounter between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals promises to deliver an enthralling spectacle for cricket enthusiasts.
Despite boasting immense talent, the Delhi Capitals have successfully played the underdog role in the IPL.
With just five playoffs and one final appearance to their name, they now aim for redemption under Rishabh Pant’s captaincy. Ponting’s tactical acumen, combined with Pant’s fearless leadership, starts a new era for the team. The Capitals are determined to shed their underdog label, and players like David Warner, Axar Patel, and Anrich Nortje could play pivotal roles in their quest for victory.
As the IPL season begins, the Punjab Kings, led by Shikhar Dhawan, are on a mission for redemption. Despite featuring in only two playoffs and reaching one final across 16 seasons, they’re determined to shake off their underachiever status. They have players like Liam Livingstone, Jonny Bairstow, Jitesh Sharma, and Nathan Ellis who can take them to the cusp of the coveted cup, making them a dangerous side. Any of these players is capable enough to turn the tide in Punjab’s favour.
Match Details:
| Date | 23 March 2024 |
| Time | 3:30 PM IST |
| Venue | Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, Chandigarh |
PBKS vs DC Probable Playing XI
Delhi Capitals
Prithvi Shaw, David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Rishab Pant (C & WK), Tristan Stubbs, Kumar Kushagra, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Khaleel Ahmed, Mukesh Kumar, Anrich Nortje.
Impact Player: Lalit Yadav
Punjab Kings
Shikhar Dhawan(C), Prabhsimran Singh, Jonny Bairstow, Jitesh Sharma(WK), Liam Livingstone, Sam Curran, Harshal Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Rahul Chahar, Harpreet Brar, Kagiso Rabada/Nathan Ellis
Impact Player: Athava Taide
Key Batters To Watch for PBKS vs DC:
Shikhar Dhawan: The last couple of years suggest Dhawan has not been at his best, both off-field and on-field. But given the mentality he possesses and the skills in his arsenal, it will be difficult to stop him from scoring runs.
Rishabh Pant
He is coming back from a life-threatening injury, and let’s be honest, expecting him to showcase the quality of batsmanship we all associate with him might be too much. But even if he comes back at three-fourths of his usual self, it will be more than enough for Delhi to compete in this IPL. Pant scoring runs is always a good sign for India because whenever he does, he does it quickly, which is what is required in this format.
Jitesh Sharma
As of now, Jitesh Sharma looks like he has nailed his spot as the first choice wicketkeeper-batsman in India’s T20 XI, which will tour the WI and USA for the World Cup scheduled in June and July. If he continues to perform as he has been in this IPL, Jitesh becoming India’s premier wicketkeeper-batter in the T20 format will be more of a certainty than a surprise.
Key Bowlers To Watch for PBKS vs DC:
Rahul Chahar
As the lead spinner of the team that won the IPL 2020, he also replaced Chahal as the lead leggie in the national team. However, since then, everything he bowls has fallen short of expectations, resulting in batsmen thrashing him all around the park. If Punjab aims to make the playoffs this season (a rare occurrence for them), they’ll need Chahar to have a great season. Without taking wickets in the middle overs, competing in a T20 game will be difficult, if not next to impossible.
Sam Curran
Everyone expected Sam Curran to rewrite the history books in the T20 format after his performance in the T20 WC final of 2022 in Melbourne. However, since then, his career graph and bowling pace have experienced a sudden decline. As he prepares for the World Cup in the WI and USA, which support his style of bowling, the IPL could be the perfect place for him to regain his pace and the impact he had on cricket matches.
