Match #17, GT Vs PBKS, IPL 2024, The Titans, led by Shubman Gill, have secured two wins in three games and face the Punjab Kings on Thursday, who have struggled against pace sensation Mayank Yadav
The Gujarat Titans, led by new captain Shubman Gill, have won two out of three games, all at home. They will look to make it three in a row at home against the Punjab Kings on Thursday. Azmatullah Omarzai and Mohit Sharma are crucial players, with Omarzai, Rashid Khan, and Noor Ahmad named to the XI. R Sai Kishore is also on the lineup to refresh the spin attack and unleash Spencer Johnson’s blazing pace.
The Kings began their season with a win over the Delhi Capitals at their new home in Mullanpur but then suffered back-to-back losses on the road in Bangalore and Lucknow. Another loss on the road will make them even more vulnerable, as numerous other teams have already started strong. Harshal Patel, for whom the Kings paid INR 11.75 crore, has been predictable with his slower balls, conceding 11.41 runs per over. Rahul Chahar has also leaked runs, and their spin attack, which also features Harpreet Brar, lacks the pedigree and expertise of the Titans’ spin attack.
Team Watch: Gujarat Titans
In the spotlight
Mohit Sharma used to be MS Dhoni’s go-to seamer at Chennai Super Kings, and he even stopped Dhoni while he was playing for Punjab. He then faded into silence, but is now back in the IPL spotlight as the Titans’ top seamer in Mohammed Shami’s injury-enforced absence. Coach Ashish Nehra and Captain Gill will once again support him in bowling difficult overs and limiting the Kings’ strong hitters.
Team news and impact player strategy
There’s no reason for the Titans to mess with their winning combination unless they want to give Shahrukh Khan a franchise debut against his former side. The Titans’ impact player approach has been somewhat consistent; if they choose to chase, B Sai Sudharsan will replace one of the bowlers, and if they choose to bowl first, he would do the opposite.
Injury and availability
The hosts have no major injury concerns, however, as Mohit Sharma mentioned, most players may be nursing minor aches and pains.
Probable XI
Shubman Gill (c), Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Sai Sudharsan, Azmatullah Omarzai, David Miller, Vijay Shankar, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmed, Umesh Yadav, and Darshan Nalkande. [Impact substitute: Sai for Mohit Sharma if they bat first, or vice versa.]
Team Squad
Wriddhiman Saha (w), Shubman Gill (c), Sai Sudharsan, Vijay Shankar, David Miller, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Umesh Yadav, Noor Ahmad, Mohit Sharma, Darshan Nalkande, Ravi Srinivasan, Sai Kishore, Sharath BR, Manav Suthar, Abhinav Manohar, Matthew Wade, Kane Williamson, Jayant Yadav, Sandeep Warrier, Shahrukh Khan, Joshua Little, Kartik Tyagi, Spencer Johnson and Sushant Mishra
Team Watch: Punjab Kings
In the spotlight
Kagiso Rabada had a poor run in the SA20, taking only nine wickets in ten games with an economy rate of nearly nine. Kings favored Nathan Ellis over Rabada at various points during the previous IPL season, and while the South African quick bowled brilliantly at the Chinnaswamy Stadium this season, he has not fired as consistently as he can.
Team news and Impact player strategy
The Kings have also followed their impact player strategy, with Arshdeep Singh starting if they bowl first and Prabhsimran Singh starting if they bat first.
Injury and availability
Liam Livingstone could miss the game with a hamstring issue. The rest of the squad is free of fitness problems.
Probable XI
Shikhar Dhawan (C), Jonny Bairstow, Prabhsimran Singh, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Liam Livingstone, Sam Curran, Shashank Singh, Harshal Patel, Harpeet Brar, Kagiso Rabada, and Rahul Chahar. [Substitute Arshdeep Singh for Prabhsimran if they bat first, or vice versa.]
Team Squad
Shikhar Dhawan (c), Jonny Bairstow, Prabhsimran Singh, Jitesh Sharma (w), Liam Livingstone, Sam Curran, Shashank Singh, Harpreet Brar, Harshal Patel, Kagiso Rabada, Rahul Chahar, Arshdeep Singh, Rilee Rossouw, Tanay Thyagarajan, Vidhwath Kaverappa, Harpreet Singh Bhatia, Chris Woakes, Rishi Dhawan, Sikandar Raza, Ashutosh Sharma, Atharva Taide, Nathan Ellis, Shivam Singh, and Prince
Pitch and conditions
The most recent afternoon encounter between the Titans and Sunrisers took place on a two-paced Ahmedabad track. The black-soil surface provided plenty of grip for the slower bowlers until the circumstances improved for batting later in the evening. This match might take place on a red-soil pitch. Given the 7.30 p.m. IST start time, batters may find it simpler to hit across the line on Thursday.
Did you know?
- Gill has an outstanding record against PBKS, with five 50s in ten innings.
- Umesh Yadav has earned six Player of the Match awards against the Punjab Kings, the most by any player in the IPL.
- Mohit Sharma, who was a new ball specialist during his prime years with CSK in 2013 and 2015, has evolved into a death-overs specialist for the Titans since his return last year. In the 2013-15 season, he bowled 51.4% of his overs in the Powerplay, while for the Titans, he bowled 46.6% in the death overs.
Stats that matter
- Rashid has an excellent IPL record against Liam Livingstone, taking three wickets in four innings for 26 runs from 19 balls.
- Kings may stay with Rabada because he has dismissed Wriddhiman Saha three times in four IPL innings and Gill twice in eight innings while restricting the Titans captain to 43 off 42 balls.
- Gill had a strong IPL record against the Kings, scoring 397 runs in ten innings at an average of 56.71 and a strike rate of 138.81.
- Shikhar Dhawan is 50 runs short of tying Virat Kohli for the second-most prolific half-century in IPL history.
When
Gujarat Titans against Punjab Kings, IPL 2024, April 4 at 19:30 IST
Where
Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
Head-to-Head
GT 2-1, PBKS. The Titans won their most recent meeting in Mohali last season.
What to expect
The toss may not be as important because the pitch appears to be full of runs. The dew, however, will be a major role, and it would not be surprising if the captain who wins the toss chooses to bat.
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