Former Indian batter backs PBKS ahead of their upcoming clash against DC in IPL 2023

Punjab Kings (PBKS) are all set to take on Delhi Capitals (DC) for match number 64 of IPL 2023 at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) Stadium in Dharamshala. Although DC are already out of the playoffs race, it will be a crucial game for PBKS in order to make their chances more strong of getting into the top four.

PBKS currently stand in the eighth position at the points table by winning six out of the 12 matches played so far. Now need to win both their remaining matches and depend on other teams’ performance in order to secure their place in the playoffs. After DC, PBKS will face Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Dharamshala for their last league match of the season.

Former Indian Cricketer Aakash Chopra believes that PBKS have a decent chance of qualifying for the playoffs of the ongoing season. He said that along with Royal Challengers Bangalore, PBKS can also finish the league stage with 16 points and have an absolute chance to finish in the top four.

"Gujarat's team is going to remain at No. 1. They are not going to move from there because no team can reach 18 points. Chennai and Lucknow can reach 17 points. Mumbai can reach only 16 points but Bangalore and Punjab can also reach 16. Punjab have an absolute realistic chance,” Chopra said in a video shared on his Youtube channel.

"Dharamsala is the ground that was relaid and the Test match was shifted. So is it ready now? We don't know actually because no competitive game has happened after that. There are extremely bright chances of dew coming here in the evening,” he further added.

'It is a beautiful ground but it is not your home'- Aakash Chopra on PKBS playing their home game in Dharamshala

However, Chopra also didn’t like PBKS playing at the HPCA Stadium as it is not their home ground. He said that he doesn’t like playing the home games away from home where he also took the example of RR who played a couple of their home games in Guwahati.

"I personally do not like when you play your home games away from home. Rajasthan went to Guwahati and they are going to Dharamsala. It is a beautiful ground but it is not your home,” Chopra said.

"In the latter stages of the tournament, where if you slip even once, you will not reach 16 points, you are going to conditions that are as alien to you as they are for the visiting team. So personally I don't like it that much,” he added.