IPL 2022 | PBKS vs GT | Match 16: Preview, Prediction, Probable XI, Fantasy XI

Newbies Gujarat Titans (GT), who have been unbeaten in the tournament so far, will square off against the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the 15th game of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 on Friday, April 07. 

The GTs, under the leadership of Hardik Pandya, won both of its opening matches in the tournament, beating Delhi Capitals (DC) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) by five wickets and 14 runs, respectively. 

Captain Hardik and Shubman Gill have been their main men with the bat, while Mohammed Shami, Rashid Khan and Lockie Ferguson have contributed well with the ball. However, Vijay Shankar's form is the only concern for them. 

With two wins in as many games, the Titans are currently placed at the third spot of the points table with four points and a decent net run rate (NRR) of +0.495.  

PBKS, on the other hand, are doing well under their newly appointed captain Mayank Agarwal as they have won two out of their three matches. Their only loss came against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). After that, they defeated Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and the defending champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by five wickets and 54 runs. 

Punjab has a solid batting order at their helm with Liam Livingstone, Shikhar Dhawan, Mayank Agarwal, Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Jonny Bairstow. Kagiso Rabada, Arshdeep Singh and Rahul Chahar would be their aces with the ball.

The Kings are currently at the fourth position of the IPL 2022 standings with 4 points and a net run rate of +0.238. With two valuable points up for grabs, a thrilling game beckons in Mumbai. 

Pitch Report

A decent batting track beckons at Brabourne Stadium with ample help on offer for the pacers. The batters will have to utilise the power play well, although the quick bowlers are expected to get early movement with the new ball. The spinners will come into play as the game progresses. Wickets in hand will be key, with both teams likely to go bowling first after winning the toss. 

Pitch Stats [IPL 2022]

Matches Played: 3

Matches Won Batting First: 1

Matches Won Bowling First: 2

Average 1st Inning Score: 189

Average 2nd Inning Score: 172 

Injury Update\Players' Availability

Gujarat Titans:  They are expected to head into Friday's clash with the same playing combination. 

Punjab Kings: Jonny Bairstow might come in for Odean Smith in the PBKS batting lineup. 

Squads 

Punjab Kings:

Shikhar Dhawan, Mayank Agarwal (Captain), Arshdeep Singh, Kagiso Rabada, Jonny Bairstow, Rahul Chahar, Harpreet Brar, Shahrukh Khan, Prabhsimran Singh, Jitesh Sharma (WicketKeeper), Ishan Porel, Liam Livingstone, Odean Smith, Sandeep Sharma, Raj Angad Bawa, Rishi Dhawan, Prerak Mankad, Vaibhav Arora, Writtick Chatterjee, Baltej Dhanda, Ansh Patel, Nathan Ellis, Atharva Taide, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Benny Howell.

Gujarat Titans: 

Hardik Pandya (captain), Rashid Khan, Shubman Gill, Mohammed Shami, Matthew Wade (Wicket-keeper), Jason Roy, Lockie Ferguson, Abhinav Sadarangani, Rahul Tewatia, Noor Ahmed, Sai Kishore, Vijay Shankar, Jayant Yadav, Dominic Drakes, Darshan Nalkande, Yash Dayal, Alzarri Joseph, Pradeep Sangwan, David Miller, Wriddhiman Saha, Varun Aaron, B Sai Sudharshan.

Probable Playing XI 

Punjab Kings: Jonny Bairstow, Shikhar Dhawan, Liam Livingstone, Mayank Agarwal (c), Shahrukh Khan, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Kagiso Rabada, Odean Smith, Vaibhav Arora, Rahul Chahar, Arshdeep Singh

Gujarat Titans: Matthew Wade (wk), Shubman Gill, Hardik Pandya (c), Vijay Shankar, Rahul Tewatia, David Miller, Rashid Khan, Abhinav Manohar, Varun Aaron, Lockie Ferguson, Mohammed Shami 

CREX XI Suggestion

Wicket-Keeper: Jonny Bairstow, Jitesh Sharma

Batters: Shikhar Dhawan, Mayank Agarwal, Shubman Gill, Abhinav Manohar

All-Rounders: Liam Livingstone, Hardik Pandya

Bowlers: Mohammad Shami, Kagiso Rabada, Lockie Ferguson 

Captain: Liam Livingstone

Vice-Captain: Hardik Pandya