GT look to shrug off DC thrashing against wounded Punjab

For the longest time, the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad had been a fortress of sorts for the Gujarat Titans (GT), but all that changed in their clash against Delhi Capitals (DC) on April 17 (Wednesday), as they sunk to an all-time low, getting bowled out for 89.

In a tight competition like the Indian Premier League (IPL), one heavy defeat could end up defining a season. On the back of the crushing humiliation at the hands of DC, the Titans find themselves eighth on the points table. We’re only at the halfway point of the season, but GT, thanks to their net run rate, are already at a stage where they can’t afford too many slip-ups.

On the other hand, Punjab Kings (PBKS) have a far better net run rate, but are in an equally dire spot — if not worse — having won just two of their first seven encounters. The Kings have been super competitive, but, to their dismay, have found themselves at the wrong side of close encounters on one too many occasions. Unfortunately for them, there are no points for ‘being competitive’. Wins are all that matter!

One of these two sides will effectively kiss goodbye to their playoff chances post their battle on April 21 (Sunday). Which team will it be?

PBKS vs GT Head-to-Head

Overall - Games 4 |  PBKS 2 | GT 2

In Punjab - Games 1 | PBKS 0 | GT 1

Venue details

Four games have been played in Mullanpur this season, and it’s proven to be a moderately high-scoring venue, with the teams batting first posting 170+ totals on 3/4 occasions. Largely, this is a venue that has a nice balance between bat and ball, and also a venue which nullifies toss advantage — which is why there have been four final-over thrillers in as many games.

As far as bowling is concerned, this venue has seen pace take an extraordinary number of wickets. 83.9% of the wickets, which is the highest figure for any bowling type at any venue this season. That doesn’t mean spin won’t be needed, for spinners have maintained a far better economy than the quicks (7.6 v 9.0).

The way to go in Mullanpur is to defend with the spinners and attack with the pacers.

Weather forecast

Expect a pleasant evening in Mullanpur on April 21 (Sunday). The temperature is expected to be around 34° in the afternoon but is likely to drop down to 25° in the evening. According to Accuweather, there is zero chance of rain. The humidity will be around 31% in the evening. 

Things to watch out for

Punjab’s top-order can no longer afford to no-show

34 matches into IPL 2024, no side’s Top Five has been as poor as that of the Punjab Kings, whose top five batters have combined to score 661 runs at an eye-watering average of 19.4. The Kings, this season, have come close to winning so many games but that’s all down to their lower-order, which, led by Ashutosh Sharma and Shashank Singh, has done all the heavy lifting. 

Be it Dhawan, Bairstow, Prabhsimran, Curran, Livingstone or Jitesh, none of Punjab’s established stars have been able to deliver consistently for the side. Forget delivering consistently, they’ve not even been able to contribute sporadically. 

This has hamstrung the Kings, who have begun nearly every innings with the bat on the backfoot, due to their Top Five being non-existent. 

This has to change for PBKS to have a chance of bouncing back in the second half and making it to the playoffs. 

Can GT batters other than Gill & Sudharsan step up?

So far this season, Gujarat Titans have scored 1025 runs with the bat. Out of that, a whopping 501 runs have come from the bat of Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan, who have carried the team’s batting on their back. For GT, barring Gill (44) and Sudharsan (34), no other batter has averaged more than 26. 

This unhealthy overreliance on the two young batters has started to become an issue for the side. As was evident in the clash against Delhi, where the Titans got bowled out for 89 after both Gill (8) and Sudharsan (12) fell cheaply. 

For the Titans, it’s high time the likes of Wriddhiman Saha, Abhinav Manohar, David Miller and Rahul Tewatia start stepping up with the bat. 

Probable XIs

Despite losing to Mumbai Indians, expect PBKS to retain the same XI for Sunday’s clash. Dhawan is expected to sit out the GT clash as well, due to the injury he picked up against Sunrisers Hyderabad.

PBKS XI:  Prabhsimran Singh, Sam Curran (c), Rilee Rossouw, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Liam Livingstone, Shashank Singh, Ashutosh Sharma, Harpreet Brar, Harshal Patel, Kagiso Rabada, Arshdeep Singh, Harpreet Bhatia (IP)

GT, meanwhile, could potentially bring Sai Kishore into the XI. Likely as an impact sub.

GT XI: Shubman Gill (c), Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Sai Sudharsan, Abhinav Manohar, David Miller, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Mohit Sharma, Noor Ahmad, Spencer Johnson, Sandeep Warrier, R Sai Kishore (IP)

Telecast and streaming details

The match will be live on Star Sports Network and live-streamed on Jio Cinema. The game will start at 7:30 PM, with the toss happening at 7 PM.

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