Punjab Kings (PBKS) will aim to bounce back when they lock horns with Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in their fifth match of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Saturday, April 15.

The Shikhar Dhawan-led PBKS outfit will be heading into the crucial game after suffering back-to-back defeats against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and defending champions Gujarat Titans (GT).

Under the tutelage of head coach Trevor Bayliss, the Punjab Kings earlier started their IPL 2023 campaign in an emphatic fashion as they beat Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) in their opening two matches.

With four points from four games, the Kings are currently placed sixth in the IPL 2023 standings.

For PBKS, captain Dhawan has led from the front in the ongoing edition of the IPL. The 37-year-old is the current Orange Cap holder, having amassed 233 runs in four matches at a staggering average of 116.50, while also maintaining an excellent strike rate of 146.54.

In the bowling department, Arshdeep Singh has been the wrecker-in-chief for the Kings. The 24-year-old left-arm pacer has already picked up seven wickets in four games at an economy of 8.50.

On the other hand, Lucknow Super Giants will be brimming with confidence after pipping Royal Challengers Bangalore by one wicket in a thrilling last-ball finish at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Monday.

Led by captain KL Rahul, LSG have also defeated Delhi Capitals (DC) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), while succumbing to their only loss against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in IPL 2023.

Having accumulated six points from four matches, LSG are currently placed second in the IPL 2023 standings.

LSG will be bolstered by the blistering form of Nicholas Pooran and Mark Wood. Pooran smashed 62 runs off just 19 balls against RCB to help his side secure a memorable win in Bengaluru. The southpaw has already scored 141 runs in four games this season.

Meanwhile, Wood has been the standout bowler for LSG in IPL 2023. The England fast bowler has scalped nine wickets in three matches at an economy of 7.91.

Punjab Kings and Lucknow Super Giants have faced each other only once previously in the IPL, with LSG registering a 20-run win in Pune last year.

The Shikhar Dhawan-led PBKS will be desperate to return to winning ways against LSG on Saturday. The match will start at 7:30 PM Indian Standard Time (IST).