Punjab, on the other hand, are occupying the sixth spot. They have also won four of their first seven matches, however, are behind Lucknow due to an inferior Net Run Rate (NRR). Lucknow have lost two of their last three matches, while Punjab have won two of their last three matches.
As the two teams gear up to clash against each other for the second time in the IPL 2023, let’s have a look at four batters who can score most runs in the match.
Shikhar Dhawan: The Punjab Kings captain has missed out on the last three matches of the side. He is very likely to return for the side’s home match against Lucknow on Friday. The season has seen him score 233 runs at an average of 116.50 and a strike rate of 146.54.
Despite not playing the last three matches, he is Punjab’s highest run-scorer. He has 74 more runs than his opening partner Prabhsimran Singh. Dhawan has played only one match against LSG till date. He scored five runs in that match.
Sam Curran: The costliest player in the history of IPL scored a fifty in his last outing against Mumbai and was adjudged Man of the Match. He has led Punjab to two wins in three matches in absence of Dhawan and that will further boost his confidence.
In this season, he has scored 142 runs in seven matches at an average of 28.40 and a strike rate of 137.86. The southpaw scored six off six balls in his last match against LSG.
KL Rahul: The LSG captain hit his first fifty of the season against Punjab at his team’s home ground in Lucknow. The 31-year-old smashed 74 runs off 56 balls. The innings included eight fours and a six.
He would be aiming to score big against Punjab again. Rahul has been included in India’s 15-member WTC squad and that should also boost his confidence. In seven matches, he has scored 262 runs at an average of 37.42 but a below-par strike rate of 113.91. Rahul has a lot to prove in the upcoming match against his former team.
Nicholas Pooran: LSG’s Nicholas Pooran has been one of the best finishers this season. In the seven matches he has played in the season so far, he has scored 171 runs at an average of 28.50 and a strike rate of 185.86.
The southpaw is the third-highest run-scorer for his team after Rahul and Kyle Mayers. Pooran was dismissed for a first-ball duck against Lucknow last time. He would be looking to avenge the same in Mohali. Against Punjab, he has scored 40 runs in three matches at an average of 20 and a strike rate of 97.56.
