Highlights:
- Both PBKS and GT have won two out of their three games in the current IPL season.
- PBKS has scored a total of 457 runs in three games, with Shikhar Dhawan being the highest scorer with 225 runs.
- The PBKS versus GT match is scheduled to commence at 7:30 PM IST.
On Thursday (April 13), the Punjab Kings (PBKS) and the Gujarat Titans (GT) will face off in the 18th match of the Indian Premier League 2023 at the Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali. So far this season, both teams have enjoyed a similar run with two wins in three games. However, PBKS faced a loss in their last match against the Sunrisers Hyderabad, despite a splendid batting performance by Shikhar Dhawan. He became only the fourth batter in IPL history to remain unbeaten on 99 runs. PBKS had a rough start, losing nine wickets for just 88 runs before Dhawan added a record-breaking 55 runs for the 10th wicket alongside Mohit Rathee. Although the total score of 143 runs for the loss of nine wickets was respectable, it was not enough to deter SRH from easily chasing it down with eight wickets in hand. Dhawan’s outstanding contribution earned him the well-deserved Player of the Match award.
The defending champions Gujarat Titans suffered their first loss of the season in their recent match against the Kolkata Knight Riders. Batting first after winning the toss, GT scored 204 runs for the loss of four wickets. Sai Sudharsan continued his impressive form with another half-century, while Vijay Shankar played a fine knock of 63 runs off 24 deliveries with some outstanding shots. Although KKR lost two wickets within the powerplay overs, a 100-run partnership between Venkatesh Iyer and Nitish Rana helped them recover from the setback. However, Iyer was dismissed for 83 runs off 40 deliveries in the 16th over. In the 17th over, Rashid Khan claimed the first hat-trick of the season by dismissing three KKR batters on the first three deliveries of his over. Nevertheless, Rinku Singh smashed five consecutive sixes in the last over, scoring 40 runs off just seven deliveries and helping KKR secure a three-wicket victory by collecting 29 runs in the final over.
Hardik Pandya will be able to play this game despite missing his previous match against KKR owing to illness. Liam Livingstone and Kagiso Rabada may both be included in PBKS’ starting lineup for this game. Livingstone can easily replace Matthew Short in that position. Sikandar Raza or Nathan Ellis would have to be benched for PBKS to select Rabada. This season, Ellis has been in peak form, and there are no justifiable excuses for him to sit out. Although Raza hasn’t yet had a noteworthy performance, his absence could make the batting unit less effective.
PBKS Vs GT Head To Head:
Gujarat Titans and Punjab Kings have a 1-1 head-to-head record. During the previous IPL season, both teams managed to defeat one another. In the first match, GT defeated PBKS thanks to two sixes from Rahul Tewatia off the last two balls.
Later in the season, Liam Livingstone’s powerful hitting helped PBKS defeat GT. Both times, teams batting second won.
PBKS vs GT Top Picks:
Shikhar Dhawan:
Shikhar Dhawan is the leading run-scorer at this point in the tournament with 225 runs. In the most recent game, he displayed his talent by batting an undefeated 99+ when wickets were falling at the other end.
Rashid Khan:
The bowler to keep an eye on in this match is currently leading the bowling charts for the Gujarat Titans. With eight wickets in three games at an average of 11.75, an economy of 7.83, and a strike rate of 9, he has been in great form. In the last game against Kolkata Knight Riders, he even picked up a hat-trick.
Read | 55 Interesting IPL Facts Which Even A Die Hard Fan Would Be Surprised To Read
Arshdeep Singh:
Left-arm bowler for the Kings, who has taken six wickets in three games at an average of 14.33, an economy of 8.6, and a strike rate of 10, has been in outstanding form. He currently holds the most wickets for the team in the tournament.
Additional Stats Of PBKS and GT:
PBKS highest score against GT: 194
GT highest score against PBKS: 162
Most runs for PBKS: 97 (Shikhar Dhawan)
Most runs for GT: 105 (Shubman Gill)
Most wickets for PBKS: 6 (Kagiso Rabada)
Most wickets for GT: 3 (Rashid Khan)
Most catches for PBKS: 2 (Shubman Gill)
Most catches for GT: 2 (Jitesh Sharma)
Lowest total defended by PBKS against GT: 164
Lowest total defended by GT against PBKS: 142
Match Prediction
The Knights were dominated by the Titans for 39 overs, but Rinku Singh turned the game around in the last over. In their upcoming match against the Kings, the Titans will aim to bounce back from their defeat. Meanwhile, the Kings will also be looking to recover from their loss against the Sunrisers in the previous game.
Therefore, Gujarat Titans are predicted to win this match.