IPL 2023: Liam Livingstone Ruled Out Of Punjab Kings' Opener Against Kolkata Knight Riders

PBKS vs KKR: Livingstone isn't the only overseas star that will be missing from the Punjab camp for their first game.

The 29-year-old was a key part of Punjab's season last year as he shone both with the bat and ball.

Source : PTI

PBKS vs KKR: In a bit of a setback for the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Punjab Kings, star batter Liam Livingstone has been ruled out of the team's opening game of the season against the Kolkata Knight Riders on Saturday (April 1) at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in Mohali.

This is because Livingstone is still reportedly awaiting a fitness clearance from the England and the Wales Cricket Board (ECB). The England star had sustained a knee injury in December last year and hasn't played any competitive ever since. The 29-year-old was a key part of Punjab's season last year as he shone both with the bat and ball, scoring 437 runs in 14 matches at a strike rate of over 180 while also picking up six wickets, providing more than a useful spin bowling option to the captain.

However, despite Livingstone having a great season last time, the team failed to qualify for the Playoffs and bowed out from the league stage after finishing sixth for the fourth successive season. Other than Livingstone, South African speedster Kagiso Rabada will also be missing Punjab's first game owing to international commitments but is likely to arrive in India on April 3, before the team's next match against Rajasthan Royals.

Ahead of IPL 2023, the franchise has gone in with a new coaching staff and captain and it would be interesting to see how the new-look side performs this year. The experienced campaigner Shikhar Dhawan will lead the team this year and would hope that the team not only make it to the final four but go on to lift the trophy that has eluded them in the first fifteen years.

As far as the tournament is concerned, it is set to return to its traditional home and away format this year and teams will each team getting to play in front of their home crowds, something which hadn't been the case when the tournament happened amid peak pandemic.