In a few days, Punjab Kings will play Kolkata Knight Riders in their first game of the Indian Premier League 2023 season. Kolkata Knight Riders are a two-time IPL winner.
Shikhar Dhawan and Livingstone both performed admirably for the squad, scoring 460 and 437 runs at averages of 38.33 and 36.41 respectively. Together, these two gave them a potent batting combination, and the latter had his finest IPL season ever. Although there was a lot of hype surrounding him in 2019 and 2021, he failed to seize the spotlight. However, his breakthrough season of 2022 saw him cement his status as a formidable batter in T20 cricket.
During the IPL auction, Punjab Kings had paid Rs 11.50 crores and Rs 6.75 crores, respectively, to acquire Livingstone and Bairstow.
Livingstone, 29, also experienced a stop-start season in 2022 as a result of an ankle injury sustained while competing in the Hundred competition in the UK. Due to ailments, he hasn’t played since the Rawalpindi Test in December.
He recently participated in off-season training in Dubai with the Lancashire County Cricket Club.
Jos Buttler of the Rajasthan Royals hit 45 sixes in the IPL 2022. Liam Livingstone of the Punjab Kings, who bats in the middle order, hit 34 sixes, which placed him second.
While Livingstone was the maximum six hitter for the franchise in 2022, it is seen that Sharukh Khan is also significant candidate in the terms of smashing over the ropes.
