Cricket fans are bracing themselves for the second match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, which will take place on Saturday, March 23 at the PCA New Stadium in Mullanpur, Mohali, between the Punjab Kings (PBKS) and the Delhi Capitals (DC).
Last season, PBKS finished eighth with 12 points from 14 games, while DC placed ninth with 10 points from 15 games.
Both teams will be looking to put on a much better show in the IPL 2024, and here are their predicted teams for the second match.
PBKS Predicted XI
Shikhar Dhawan (the captain)
Shikhar Dhawan will open for PBKS in the IPL 2024. He suffered injuries last season and will look to make amends by adding to his IPL total of 6,617 runs.
PrabhSimran Singh
Prabhsimran Singh was in excellent form throughout the 2023 IPL season. He will look to replicate that form in IPL 2024, where he scored 103 against the Delhi Capitals last season.
Atharva Taide.
Atharva Taide is a promising young player who had an excellent domestic season with Vidarbha. He could be a valuable asset for PBKS in the middle order, and he hopes to make an impact in the IPL 2024.
Jitesh Sharma (wicketkeeper).
Jitesh Sharma will be among the most important players in the PBKS middle order. He is an outstanding hitter and a solid wicketkeeper, having scored 543 runs in 26 IPL matches.
Liam Livingstone
Liam Livingstone will be the power hitter and finisher in the PBKS batting lineup. He has 6,007 runs in T20s at a strike rate of 144.6 and has the potential to change the game on his day.
Sam Curran
Sam Curran is one of the best all-rounders in Twenty20 cricket. He has 613 runs and 42 wickets in 46 IPL matches, making him a valuable addition to the PBKS team.
Sikandar Raza
Sikandar Raza is an excellent batter who packs a punch. He is also an excellent spinner who can take wickets at crucial points in the game. Raza has scored 4,625 T20 runs and taken 133 wickets in the format.
Harshal Patel
Harshal Patel was PBKS’ most notable purchase at last year’s mini auction. He will improve the PBKS death-bowling and allow his captain to use Arshdeep Singh, Kagiso Rabada, and Sam Curran during the powerplay without worrying about the final stages of the innings.
Kagiso Rabada
Kagiso Rabda is one of the world’s best pacers, with exceptional wicket-taking skills. He has 106 wickets in 69 IPL games and can make early breakthroughs.
Arshdeep Singh
Arshdeep Singh is a death-over specialist who can also take wickets in powerplays. He can be expensive at times, but he possesses a natural wicket-taking ability, having taken 57 wickets in 51 IPL appearances.
Rahul Chahar
Rahul Chahar will once again be PBKS’ go-to spinner this season. He is one of the more economical bowlers in the IPL and will look to add to his 65 Indian Premier League scalps in the coming season.
Impact Sub
Harpreet Brar/Vidwath Kaverappa
DC Predicted XI
David Warner
David Warner is one of the most successful batters in IPL history. He has won three Orange Caps for most runs in an IPL season and scored 6,397 runs in 176 matches in the league.
Prithvi Shaw
Despite not having had the best IPL seasons in the past, Prithvi Shaw can still change the game for any team on his day. He has 1,694 runs in 71 IPL matches and will be looking for a good season this time around to earn a spot in India’s T20 World Cup squad in June.
Mitchell Marsh
Mitchell Marsh made a significant impact with the ball in IPL 2023 and will look to contribute as a true all-rounder in the coming season. Marsh, a powerful ball hitter, will be tasked with breaking partnerships and scoring quick runs in the IPL 2024.
Rishabh Pant (the captain)
Captain Rishabh Pant is set to return for the IPL 2024, and his presence will provide a significant boost to DC. Pant is an all-action explosive batter who has scored 2,838 runs in 98 games, including 15 fifties and a ton.
Kumar Kushagra (wicketkeeper).
Kumar Kushagra is a talented young batter with excellent fielding abilities. He impressed the DC management throughout the tryouts and will be ready to prove his worth with both gloves and bat in the upcoming match.
Tristan Stubbs
Tristan Stubbs, one of South African cricket’s emerging talents, is a rare commodity in T20 batting. He had a memorable SA20 season for Sunrisers Eastern Cape, scoring 301 runs in 11 matches at a strike rate of 168.15 this year. He is expected to deliver some quick knocks for DC.
Axar Patel
Axar Patel is currently one of India’s top all-rounders, and he strengthens DC’s batting and bowling departments. He’s made 136 IPL appearances, scoring 1,418 runs and taking 112 wickets.
Anrich Nortje
Anrich Nortje has 53 wickets in 40 IPL matches and will lead DC’s pace attack. His blistering pace and ability to extract bounce threaten any batter.
Khaleel Ahmed
Khaleel Ahmed has 57 wickets in 43 IPL appearances and can pose a challenge for his opponents with the new ball. He is also very economical, providing plenty of dot balls during crucial stages of matches.
Kuldeep Yadav
DC’s spin department will be led by Kuldeep Yadav, one of India’s best spinners with 59 wickets in 35 Twenty20 internationals. DC will rely on him to take wickets in the middle overs.
Impact Sub
Lalit Yadav/Sumit Kumar
