PBKS skipper Shikhar Dhawan equals Virat Kohli's all-time IPL record during the game vs KKR

After a brilliant clash between Chennai Super Kings and Gujarat Titans to kick off the 16th edition of the Indian Premier League on Friday, the second game has seen some brilliant hitting from the Punjab Kings batters. The second day of the IPL 2023 has started with a game between the Punjab Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders.

KKR won the toss and decided to bowl first. Prabhsimran Singh's cameo of 23 off 12 helped PBKS get off to a fast start. Once he got out, PBKS skipper Shikhar Dhawan added an 86-run partnership for the second wicket with Bhanuka Rajapaksa.

That partnership put Punjab on top. Rajapaksa got out just after scoring his half-century. He made 50 off 32 balls, with six fours and two sixes. Dhawan played a good inning of 40 off 29 balls, including six boundaries.

With an 86-run partnership, Dhawan equaled the massive record of Virat Kohli in the IPL. Notably, it was the 94th partnership of 50 or more runs for Dhawan in the IPL's history, and now he has scored the joint-most 50-run partnerships in the league. Suresh Raina (83) and David Warner (82) are in second and third place, respectively.

Dhawan got out to Sunil Narine in an attempt to up the ante. It is the first time since 2020 that the Punjab Kings are playing a game on their home turf at the PCA stadium in Mohali. Punjab released Mayank Agarwal, who led them in last season, and gave the captaincy job to Dhawan.

The veteran Indian opener is also the second highest run scorer in the tournament. He has scored 6284 runs in 207 games at an average of 35.10 and a strike rate of 126.41. Dhawan has also scored two centuries and 47 half-centuries, with a best score of 106 not out.