'Pehli baar nahi ki SRK ne Preity Zinta ko bachaya' - Fans react as PBKS beat LSG in a final-over thriller in IPL 2023

The action returned in the Indian Premier League (IPL 2023)with a doubleheader on Saturday. In the day's first game, the Royal Challengers Bangalore came out victorious against the Delhi Capitals by a margin of 23 runs. It was a dominant home performance from the men in gold and red. In the day's second game, Lucknow Super Giants hosted Punjab Kings at the Ekana Sports City Stadium.

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The visitors won the toss and elected to bowl first. Lucknow started off in style with a 53-run stand for the first wicket. Kyle Mayers was the first man to fall at an individual score of 29 off 23 balls. However, they kept losing regular wickets as the home team could only register 159/8 in their 20 overs, with skipper KL Rahul remaining the star of the innings with 74 runs off 56 balls.

Sikandar Raza and Shahrukh Khan remained the stars in Punjab Kings' run-chase

For Punjab, skipper Sam Curran remained the pick of the bowlers with 3 wickets for 31 runs in four overs. Speedster Kagiso Rabada returned with two scalps from the game, while Arshdeep Singh, Sikandar Raza and Harpreet Brar returned with one wicket apiece.

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In reply, Punjab Kings had a disastrous start losing both their openers cheaply as the score read 17/2 in 2.2 overs. A fourth-wicket partnership between Matt Short (34 off 22) and Harprit Singh Bhatia (22 off 22) tried to steady the innings. Sikandar Raza (57 off 41) then took over, keeping one end assured while the passage of wickets continued on the other end. A final flourish by Shahrukh Khan (23 off 10) took PBKS over the finish line by 2 wickets.

Next, in the IPL 2023, another doubleheader awaits fans on Sunday. In the day's first game, the struggling Mumbai Indians are going up against the high-flying Kolkata Knight Riders at the Wankhede Stadium. At the same time, the second match will feature the defending champions of IPL, Gujarat Titans taking on Rajasthan Royals in a rematch of last season's final to be played out in Ahmedabad.

Here's how fans reacted: 

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Present Gambir 😂 pic.twitter.com/QfxdXqODbt

— Shaik Hakim (@urstrulyHakim) April 15, 2023

Raja real winner #Sikandarraja

— Rj Himanshu (@himanshuhb88) April 15, 2023

Not the first time SRK has saved Preity Zinta😉 #veerzara

— Priyanshu (@PriyanshU_024) April 15, 2023

PBKS to KL Rahul 😭 pic.twitter.com/NZrdjLsVZr

— Sharjeel (@Sharjeel0208) April 15, 2023

Karma pic.twitter.com/65YG32rSmz

— Yash (@YUVRSTRONG12) April 15, 2023

Me as a pbks fan when my team defeated table topper team without shikhar & Livingstone😢🥺 pic.twitter.com/FjfcZlFYuo

— Tanuj Shori (@Tanuj62149736) April 15, 2023

IPL script-writers since the last few matches:pic.twitter.com/BzXsS681Zz

— Ana de Armas stan (@abhithecomic) April 15, 2023

Shahrukh Khan the finisher has finally done it for Punjab

— Utsav 💔 (@utsav045) April 15, 2023