The PKL 2023 will kick off on 2nd December, Saturday with a clash between Gujarat Giants and Telugu Titans at the TransStadia in Ahmedabad. The match will start at 7.30 PM IST. U Mumba will later take on UP Yoddhas on the same day. Both Gujarat Giants and Telugu Titans are striving for their first PKL title. Iranian Fazel Atrachali returns to captain Gujarat Giants, while Telugu Titans will be led by Indian skipper Pawan Sehrawat. The Giants also boast of experienced Iranian Mohammad Nabhibhaksh in their defense and talented raiders Rakesh Sangroya and Prateek Dahiya. They also secured star all-rounder Rohit Gulia at the auction. Telugu Titans, on the other hand, aim to redeem themselves after failing to reach the playoffs in the last five seasons. They have invested in Pawan Sehrawat and hope for a turnaround in the upcoming edition. U Mumba, led by Surinder Singh, will look to capitalize on their core group of players from the previous edition. They have added young Iranians Amirmohamed Zafardanesh and Alireza Mirzaeian to their squad. UP Yoddhas, on the other hand, aim to build on their consistent playoff appearances and have retained their core group of players. With experienced Pardeep Narwal and Surender Gill leading the raids, and Nitesh Kumar and Sumit in defense, they aim to go all the way and clinch the PKL title.
