Two teams who are high on confidence will clash against each other at high scoring Brabourne stadium on Friday. The Punjab Kings have made a decent start to their campaign and they will face the stiff challenge of the Gujarat Titans led by Hardik Pandya.
Punjab:
Year after year, Punjab has showed sparks but failed to convert it into something significant. The big names and the bigger price tags, the franchise has tried it's best to leave impression in the world's toughest league but all in vain.
This season Punjab is being led by Mayank who has been a profilic run scorer for them over the years but hasn't found his mojo yet in the tournament. Fortunately their overseas signings, Liam Livingstone, Rajapaksa and Smith have performed well and have been succoured by young Indian talents.
Way forward: Consistency is required from senior Indian batsmen like Dhawan and Mayank who need to come good.
Weakness: Shahrukh has started his season horribly and the team management will hope that the big hitter can contribute in the later parts of the innings.
Punjab has a tendency of losing wickets like a pack of cards.
Boost: Jonny Bairstow is available and ready to go.
Unavailable: Nathan Ellis
"We are definitely looking to play hard and positive cricket. We have to be emotionally intelligent when it doesn't come off." - Mayank Agarwal on his team's flying starts with the bat so far.
Probable XI: Mayank Agarwal, Shikhar Dhawan, Bhanuka Rajapaksa/Jonny Bairstow, Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma, Shahrukh Khan, Odean Smith, Kagiso Rabada, Rahul Chahar, Vaibhav Arora, Arshdeep Singh.
Gujarat:
Two wins in two games is a dream start for any new franchise in the IPL but Gujarat will be aware of the fact, that their wins have not been straightforward and have often been aided by the opposition's poor game tactics. In a competitive league such as IPL, you cannot expect your fortune to rely on others.
On the optimistic side, various individuals have stepped up at different occasions for this side. Shami, Miller and Tewatia played a vital role for them in the first game whereas Gill, Pandya and Lockie had their say in the second. This franchise is new with some young faces and will love to stay on the track. The likes of Rashid, Hardik and Miller have over the years contributed alot for their former respective franchises and will love to do the same here.
Way forward: Indian core must be consistent and show perseverance.
Weakness: The batting order especially the middle order lacks some consistent and big names of the game.
Boost: Mohammed Shami making an impact early in the tournament gives lot of confidence and cushion to Hardik as a captain.
"This is the Shubman we all wanted to see and I hope that all the other batters can take confidence from him." Hardik Pandya on Shubhman Gill after the opener smashed 84 off 46 against DC.
Probable XI: Matthew Wade, Shubman Gill, Vijay Shankar, Hardik Pandya, David Miller, Rahul Tewatia, Abhinav Manohar, Rashid Khan, Lockie Ferguson, Varun Aaron, Mohammed Shami.
Stat that matters: Rashid Khan has picked 18 wickets in 10 outings against Punjab.
When: Punjab Kings vs Gujarat Titans, April 8, 2022, 19:30 IST
Where: Brabourne stadium, Mumbai
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