KKR vs PBKS: Watch - Varun Chakaravarthy Castles Rishi Dhawan For 19

Punjab Kings’ (PBKS) skipper Shikhar Dhawan won the toss & opted to bat first against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). The visitors scored 58 runs in the power-play overs but lost 3 wickets. Varun Chakaravarthy got the priced wicket of the dangerous Liam Livingstone in the 6th over. Varun Chakaravarthy surprised Livingstone by bowling a leg break which he rarely bowls.

Shikhar Dhawan was struggling to clear the fence in the middle overs. The left-handed batter scored 57 runs in 47 balls and struck 9 fours and 1 six. He along with Jitesh Sharma stitched an invaluable partnership of 53 runs in 42 balls as the spinners were getting ample assistance from the surface.

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KKR’s spinners made sure that they aren’t giving any freebies to the batters. KKR skipper Nitish Rana marshaled his troops smartly. PBKS were in a state of trouble at 119-5 in 14.4 overs as Sam Curran & Rishi Dhawan were at the crease.

Watch- Varun Chakaravarthy cleans up Rishi Dhawan

Rishi goes big, but Varun's Chakravyuh sends him packing ?#KKRvPBKS #TATAIPL #IPLonJioCinema | @KKRiders pic.twitter.com/ZAJxKspiel

— JioCinema (@JioCinema) May 8, 2023

At the end of 16 overs, PBKS’ score was 131-5. Varun Chakaravarthy was bowling the 17th over, on the 5th delivery, the mystery spinner tossed up the ball and Rishi Dhawan tried to play a slog sweep shot but missed the ball completely and his stumps were thrashed. Rishi Dhawan was dismissed on 19 runs in 11 balls and struck 1 four & 1 six.

Varun Chakaravarthy showed good control over his line & length. PBKS’ score at 16.5 overs was 139-6 and Chakaravarthy took 3 scalps. PBKS’ batters looked clueless against the trio of Narine, Suyash & Chakaravarthy.

Crucial Phase for PBKS

If PBKS get a score around 200 then they would sense that they have a got a strong chance to defend the target. The visitors would be hoping that Shahrukh Khan plays a blistering cameo as Sam Curran was seen struggling.

The likes of Vaibhav Arora & Harshit Rana would be tested in the death overs. It would be interesting to see whether Nitish Rana gives an over to Andre Russell (*conceded 19 runs in the first over) as the flamboyant pacer can fox the batters with his variations. There are chances that dew may come into action.