GT vs PBKS Match Preview- IPL 2024, Match 17

The GT vs PBKS match is the third home game for Gujarat Titans in IPL 2024. They have won two games so far in the season and are heading into this game placed fourth on the points table. Punjab Kings, on the other hand, are placed eighth with two back-to-back losses in the last game. The GT vs PBKS IPL 2024 match will be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium on April 4. Thursday. The match starts at 7.30 pm IST. As said earlier, this is the third home game for the Gujarat Titans this season.

GT vs PBKS Match Preview- IPL 2024, Match 17

Gujarat Titans

The Titans led by Shubman Gill started their campaign with a win over Mumbai Indians. They then lost their next game against CSK in Chennai before bouncing back with a win over SRH in their last game at home.

So far their bowling is looking better with the bowlers very well-known in their roles in the team. The likes of Mohit Sharma and Umesh Yadav are experienced, Indian bowlers. Umesh especially has not allowed GT to feel the absence of Mohammed Shami.

They decided to play the Afghanistan trio of Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmed, and Azmatullah Omarzai and it paid dividends. The only concern for them is that their top order is struggling to give them good starts. Shubman Giull has scored just 75 runs from the three games at an average of 75. He loves playing at the Narendra Modi stadium and will look to get back into form.

GT Squad

Shubman Gill (c), David Miller, Matthew Wade, Wriddhiman Saha, Kane Williamson, Abhinav Manohar, B. Sai Sudharsan, Darshan Nalkande, Vijay Shankar, Jayant Yadav, Rahul Tewatia, Noor Ahmad, Sai Kishore, Rashid Khan, Joshua Little, Mohit Sharma, Azmatullah Omarzai, Umesh Yadav, Shahrukh Khan, Sushant Mishra, Kartik Tyagi, Manav Suthar, Spencer Johnson, Sandeep Warrier, BR Sharath, Mohammed Shami, Robin Minz

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Punjab Kings

Punjab Kings could not capitalize on the good start they got against Delhi Capitals. They are on the road and lost their last two games RCB and LSG. The over-dependence on Shikhar Dhawan with the bat was very much visible.

The likes of Jonny Bairstow and Liam Livingstone are yet to hit form. Livingstone struggled with a hamstring injury in the last game. It will be interesting to see whether he plays this game.

Speaking about the bowling attack, Kagiso Rabada, Arshdeep Singh and Sam Curran have taken four wickets each in the tournament. Harpreet Brar has taken three.

Harshal Patel has struggled to execute his death bowling skills. A combined performance with the bat and ball has been missing for the Kings who have gone into losing streaks in the past.

PBKS Squad

Shikhar Dhawan (c), Matthew Short, Prabhsimran Singh, Jitesh Sharma, Sikandar Raza, Rishi Dhawan, Liam Livingstone, Atharva Taide, Arshdeep Singh, Nathan Ellis, Sam Curran, Kagiso Rabada, Harpreet Brar, Rahul Chahar, Harpreet Bhatia, Vidwath Kaverappa, Shivam Singh, Harshal Patel, Chris Woakes, Ashutosh Sharma, Vishwanath Pratap Singh, Shashank Singh, Tanay Thyagarajann, Prince Choudhary, Rilee Rossouw.

Key Battles

Kagiso Rabada vs Shubman Gill

Rabada has had his wood over Gill in international and IPL cricket. The GT skipper will face the music from him opening the batting and therein lies the pacer’s chance to dismiss him. The pacer has dismissed Gill twice in the IPL going for just 42 runs.

Shikhar Dhawan vs Umesh Yadav

The two Indian veterans will go at each other. The two know everything about each other’s game and will look to outwit each other. Umesh Yadav has dismissed Shikhar Dhawan once in the IPL costing him 103 runs off 92 balls.

Rashid Khan vs Jitesh Sharma / Sam Curran

Jitesh Sharma and Sam Curran might face Rashid Khan in the middle overs wherein lies the chance of an enticing battle between the spin wizard and the two big hitters.

Key Players

For Punjab Kings, Shikhar Dhawan is their biggest key with the bat alongside, Jitesh Sharma, and Sikandar Raza if he plays with Liam Livingstone injured With the ball, Rabada, Arshdeep, and the spin twins Harpreet Brar and Rahul Chahar will be key.

For GT, Shubman Hill, Sai Sudharsan, and David Miller will be key. Sudharsan and Miller finished off the game for the Titans against SRH. GT has many options with the ball, Rashid Khan and Mohit Shara are the biggest key players.

Weather and Pitch

As predicted by Accuweather, the weather conditions for the GT vs PBKS IPL 2024 match might be cloudy but there is no chance of rain. The conditions might be cloudy even during the match but no rain is expected.

Speaking about the pitch, so far the team batting first has not breached the 170-mark. The venue has a reputation of being a high-scoring ground and with big hitters on both sides, we might see a high-scoring encounter.

Conclusion

Having lost their previous two games Punjab Kings desperately needs a win to move up the ladder. GT, on the other hand, would like to make it back-to-back wins at home. This is a big game for the Kings who play their last game on the road before playing four “home games” in Mohali.

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