Gujarat Titans will lock horns against Punjab Kings in the 17th match of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Gujarat on Thursday. Gujarat Titans will look to continue their winning momentum under their new skipper Shubman Gill. The Titans find themselves in fifth position on the points table with four points after two wins and one defeat. PBKS, on the other hand, find themselves in eighth position with two points on the points table after one win and two losses.
Ahead of this exciting encounter, let’s delve into the predicted playing XI of both teams.
Gujarat Titans Predicted XI
Wriddhiman Saha (wicketkeeper)
While chasing 163 in the Titans’ previous game, Wriddhiman Saha got off to a brisk start as he scored 25 runs in 13 balls at a blistering strike rate of 192.31. The right-handed batter will be eager to convert his starts into a big score in the upcoming games.
Shubman Gill (captain)
Shubman Gill has looked good as Titans skipper this season. Even though he hasn’t gone on to make a big score yet, his quick starts at the top of the order have helped his team and needless to say, a big knock from Gill seems to be just around the corner.
Sai Sudharsan
With 127 runs to his name in three matches, Sai Sudharsan is the leading run-scorer in the GT camp. He’s averaging 42.33 this season and will have a key role to play for Gujarat against Punjab Kings.
David Miller
David Miller guided the Titans to victory against Sunrisers Hyderabad with an unbeaten 44 in his team’s last outing. An explosive batter who is renowned for his strong finishes, Miller will be keen to make his presence felt against Punjab with his power-packed batting.
Vijay Shankar
Coming in at No.5, Vijay Shankar adds depth to the Gujarat Titans batting lineup. He along with Miller played an important part in the Titans’ seven-wicket win against Hyderabad and Shankar will be hoping to contribute to the team once again with both bat and ball.
Azmatullah Omarzai
Azmatullah Omarzai hasn’t had the best of seasons so far but the Afghanistan all-rounder is capable of turning things around. A threat with bat and ball, Omarzai will be eyeing an impactful innings while looking to add to his three scalps this season.
Rahul Tewatia
Rahul Tewatia’s inclusion strengthens the team’s all-round capabilities. Tewatia, known for his explosive batting in the death overs and his useful spin bowling can produce big performances in both departments of the game.
Rashid Khan
Despite taking just three scalps this season, Rashid Khan is a player who cannot be written off. He’s taken 142 wickets at an average of 21.06 in 112 IPL games and is more than capable of striking some big blows when needed.
Umesh Yadav
Umesh Yadav has been an integral part of GT’s bowling attack and is an important inclusion in their playing XI. His swing variations and ability to strike in the early stages of a match make him a threat to opening batters. So far, Umesh has clinched three wickets in three matches.
Noor Ahmad
Afghanistan international Noor Ahmad has only picked up one wicket in IPL 2024 and will be looking to add to that tally soon. He can contain the opposition’s scoring rate and has been consistent in maintaining an economy of below 8 in his IPL career.
Mohit Sharma
With six wickets to his name, Mohit Sharma is leading the bowling attack for Gujarat and has impressively filled the boots of the injured Mohammed Shami. Sharma dismantled Hyderabad’s batting lineup in the previous game and will be raring to make his presence felt against PBKS.
Impact Sub
Sai Kishore/Darshan Nalkande
Punjab Kings Predicted XI
Shikhar Dhawan (captain)
Shikhar Dhawan will be looking to kick on against Gujarat Titans after he scored 70 off 50 balls in his last outing. He’s averaging 45.67 with the bat this season and will back himself to get the better of the GT bowlers.
Jonny Bairstow
Jonny Bairstow is expected to open along with Dhawan. He got off to a fierce start in Punjab’s previous game against LSG where he scored 42, including three boundaries and as many maximums. The English international has scored 1,350 runs in 42 IPL matches so far with nine fifties and one hundred.
Prabhsimran Singh
Prabhsimran Singh had a short but exciting outing in Punjab’s last match. He scored a quick-fire 19 off seven balls before losing his wicket. His hard-hitting ability is likely to be on display in the upcoming fixture.
Jitesh Sharma
Jitesh Sharma’s inclusion in Punjab Kings’ playing XI provides the team with a wicketkeeping option and a dependable middle-order batter. His aggressive batting style can help add crucial runs for the team at a brisk pace and his agility behind the stumps makes him a top gloveman.
Liam Livingstone
Liam Livingstone will be a key player for Punjab as his impressive strike rate of 162.74 this season suggests. A powerful batter, Livingstone has played his part with the bat so far this season and will be hoping to make an impact the ball in hand as well.
Sam Curran
Sam Curran’s ability to pick wickets with his pace variations and make an impact with the bat makes him a key player for PBKS. He has clinched four wickets and scored 86 runs in three matches this season.
Harpreet Brar
Harpreet Brar provides the team with a valuable left-arm spin option and is averaging 13.67 with the ball. He has picked up three wickets in three matches so far and boasts an impressive economy of 4.56.
Harshal Patel
Harshal Patel hasn’t had the best of starts to IPL 2024 having gone for plenty of runs. However, his 114 wickets in the IPL over the years demonstrates his capability when on song, making it important for him to come good for PBKS sooner rather than later.
Kagiso Rabada
South African speedster Kagiso Rabada is spearheading the Punjab pace bowling attack. He has picked up four wickets in three games at an economy of 8.08 in IPL 2024 and is expected to be among the wickets against GT.
Rahul Chahar
Rahul Chahar has taken just two wickets in three games in IPL 2024. However, he’s shown his ability to get crucial breakthroughs and slow down the scoring rate when in rhythm, making it imperative for him to find form for PBKS soon.
Arshdeep Singh
Arshdeep Singh will enter this match with the onus of providing crucial breakthroughs in the early overs. His deadly yorkers and fiery pace can dismantle batting attacks. With four wickets in three games, Arshdeep will want to add to that tally against Gujarat’s formidable batters.
Impact Sub
Shashank Singh
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