IPL 2023: Match 18, Gujarat Titans (GT) Predicted Playing XI vs Punjab Kings

The defending champions Gujarat Titans (GT) have got their IPL campaign off to a good start having won two out of their first three matches. They defeated Chennai Super Kings in the curtain raiser of the season and then further beat Delhi Capitals by six wickets in their second encounter.

The first hiccup in Gujarat’s campaign came against Kolkata Knight Riders as Rinku Singh scripted a miraculous chase by smacking five sixes in the final over of the game.

Having lost their first game of the season, Gujarat will be eager to get their campaign back on track in their next fixture against Punjab Kings on Thursday, April 13 at the Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium, Mohali. 

Gujarat’s captain Hardik Pandya, who missed the last game due to illness is likely to make a comeback in the next fixture which will further bolster their team. As GT prepare themselves to take down Punjab in latter's den, let’s take a look at the predicted Playing XI of Gujarat Titans against Punjab Kings:

Here's Gujarat Titans’ predicted XI against Punjab Kings:

Openers: Shubman Gill and Wriddhiman Saha (wk)

Shubman Gill carried his international form into the IPL and scored a magnificent 63 off 36 balls in the opening encounter against CSK. However, the 23-year-old couldn’t fetch a big one in the next two fixtures scoring 14 and 39. 

Having failed to notch up a big score in the tournament so far, Gill will be hungry for runs against PBKS and will rip apart their bowling with his aesthetic strokeplay.

After playing aggressively at the top in the first two games, the wicketkeeper batter scored a run-a-ball 17 in the third fixture and couldn’t get his innings going. The 38-year-old will be looking to go big against Punjab and set the tone for his side opening the innings.

Middle order: Sai Sudharsan, David Miller, Rahul Tewatia

Kane Williamson’s injury in the first game came as a blessing in disguise for GT as Sudharsan has grabbed the opportunity with both hands ever since. The 21-year-old has scored 137 runs in three innings at an average of 68.50 and has two half-centuries in the last two matches.

David Miller’s finishing prowess is known to everyone as the southpaw has the ability to take his side home if wickets fall at the top. The Proteas’ star scored 31 off 16 in the second game against Delhi Capitals and gave the finishing touch while chasing the target of 163. 

Rahul Tewatia has only got one opportunity to bat in the tournament so far and that came in the opening game against CSK when he scored an unbeaten 15 off 14 balls. The 29-year-old is in the side for his clean-hitting prowess in the death overs which will come in handy while chasing big targets.

All-Rounders: Hardik Pandya (c)

The dashing all-rounder has failed to leave an impact in the tournament so far having scored just 13 runs in two innings and gone wicketless in the six overs he’s bowled. 

However, Pandya is the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of GT and can take the opposition by surprise with his all round show in any game. Having missed the last game against KKR, Pandya will be eager to hit the ground running and get his team back on the winning track against Punjab.

Bowlers: Rashid Khan, Mohammed Shami, Joshua Little, Yash Dayal, Alzarri Joseph

The star wrist spinner has been in sensational form in the season so far as he was awarded Player of the Match for picking up 2/26 in four overs and scoring an unbeaten 10 off 3 balls in the first game against CSK. 

He further picked up a hat-trick in the last game against KKR and almost won the game for his side. Rashid is the highest wicket-taker for GT so far having fetched eight wickets to his name across three matches.

Mohammed Shami has picked up crucial wickets early in the innings for his side and has given great starts to Titans. He has picked up six wickets in three innings at an average of 16.33 and an economy of 8.16. 

Joshua Little has picked up two wickets in the tournament so far giving away 113 runs in 12 overs at an average of 56.50 and an economy of 9.41. The Irish seamer will look to put up an improved performance against PBKS and contribute to the team’s victory.

Yash Dayal had the worst game of his life against KKR as he gave away 69 runs in four overs and was smacked for five consecutive sixes in the last over by Rinku Singh. However, the team management will look to back the 25-year-old and give him much-needed confidence at this stage.

Alzarri Joseph has formed a potent pair with Shami with the new ball and picked up six wickets at an average of 14.83 and an economy of 7.41. 

The West Indian seamer picked up two wickets while giving away 27 runs in his four-over spell against KKR and the team management will be more than happy if he’s able to replicate his performance against PBKS.

Gujarat Titans (GT) probable XI:

Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, Hardik Pandya (c), David Miller, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Mohammed Shami, Joshua Little, Yash Dayal, Alzarri Joseph

Gujarat Titans probable Impact Players:

Vijay Shankar, Jayant Yadav, Srikar Bharat, Mohit Sharma, R Sai Kishore