PBKS vs LSG Predicted Playing XI: Ponting may bring in Australian pacer for Harpreet Brar, Pant tempted to bring back Shardul Thakur

The battle for the playoffs spot intensifies as Punjab Kings (PBKS) face Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). PBKS have six wins from 10 games and are placed fourth with 13 points. LSG have been inconsistent and have five wins from 10 games. LSG are placed sixth on the points table and even a win won't help them get back to top four.

Playing their first match of the season in Dharamsala, PBKS may be tempted to make one change in the bowling department. Given the seaming conditions, Shreyas Iyer may include Australian pacer Xavier Bartlett in place of left-arm spinner Harpreet Brar. Despite the disappointing outing, Suryansh Shedge is likely to retain his place in the side.

PBKS Predicted Playing XI plus impact player -

Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh, Shreyas Iyer (c), Josh Inglis (wk), Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Marco Jansen, Azmatullah Omarzai, Suryansh Shedge, Xavier Bartlett, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh

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Meanwhile, LSG are struggling as they are over-dependent on their top order. Despite the defeat against Mumbai Indians (MI), LSG are unlikely to make too many changes. The only change they can make is bringing back Shardul Thakur in place of Prince Yadav. 

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LSG Predicted Playing XI plus impact player -

Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, Nicholas Pooran, Rishabh Pant (c & wk), David Miller, Abdul Samad, Ayush Badoni, Digvesh Singh Rathi, Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan, Prince Yadav/Shardul Thakur, Mayank Yadav

PBKS vs LSG Pitch Report -

It is expected to be a high-scoring affair but pacers can get some help from the conditions early on in the innings. The captain winning the toss may look to bowl first considering rain may interrupt the game.

PBKS vs LSG Full Squads:

PBKS Squad: Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh, Shreyas Iyer(c), Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Josh Inglis(w), Suryansh Shedge, Marco Jansen, Harpreet Brar, Azmatullah Omarzai, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Xavier Bartlett, Praveen Dubey, Musheer Khan, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Vishnu Vinod, Yash Thakur, Aaron Hardie, Kuldeep Sen, Harnoor Singh, Pyla Avinash

LSG Squad: Mitchell Marsh, Aiden Markram, Nicholas Pooran, Rishabh Pant(w/c), Ayush Badoni, David Miller, Abdul Samad, Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan, Prince Yadav, Digvesh Singh Rathi, Mayank Yadav, Yuvraj Chaudhary, Shahbaz Ahmed, Himmat Singh, Akash Maharaj Singh, Matthew Breetzke, Shardul Thakur, Manimaran Siddharth, Aryan Juyal, RS Hangargekar, Akash Deep, Shamar Joseph, Arshin Kulkarni