IPL 2022: Match 16 – Strongest Punjab Kings (PBKS) Predicted Playing XI against Gujarat Titans (GT)

In-form Punjab Kings (PBKS) will take on unbeaten Gujarat Titans (GT) in Match 16 of 2022 Indian Premier League (IPL) at the Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai on April 8 (Friday). PBKS are coming into the match after defeating the defending champions Chennai Super Kings by a margin of 54 runs.

On other hand, the new entrants, Gujarat Titans have won both of their previous encounters. GT won their first match against the Lucknow Super Giants by five wickets and managed to pip the strong-looking Delhi Capitals by a margin of 14 runs in their second game.

The Punjab Kings who have won two out of their three matches might make a change in their playing XI by benching Sri Lankan batter Bhanuka Rajapaksa and replacing him with England limited-overs specialist Jonny Bairstow.

Here’s a look at the Punjab Kings predicted XI against Gujarat Titans

Openers: Mayank Agarwal(C) and Shikhar Dhawan

PBKS openers Mayank Agarwal and Shikhar Dhawan have not been able to show their true colors so far. The duo played quickfire knocks in the first game against RCB, chasing a stiff target above 200. Unfortunately, both Agarwal and Dhawan were off-color in their second match of the season against KKR.

Mayank in particular is not having a good time with the bat. The skipper could only manage to make four runs in PBKS’ third match against Chennai Super Kings. However, Dhawan scored a vital 33 off 24 against the Yellow Army. The senior batters will look to up their game in the upcoming match against GT.

Middle-order: Jonny Bairstow(Wk), Jitesh Sharma, and Shahrukh Khan

Punjab Kings might be tempted to bring in the wicketkeeper-batter Jonny Bairstow into the playing XI in place for Bhanuka Rajapaksa. Meanwhile, Jitesh Sharma who played a handy knock of 26 in just 17 balls, smashing three maximums against CSK, is likely to retain his position and will have also have a key role to play for his franchise.

Hard-hitter  Shahrukh Khan might have been dismissed without troubling the scorers against KKR, but he played a match-winning knock of an unbeaten 24 runs from 20 deliveries in the tournament opener against RCB. However, the 26-year old could not get going against the defending champions scoring just six runs in 11 balls. The PBKS middle-order will have to fire against GT if they want to post a challenge against them.

All-rounders: Liam Livingstone and Odean Smith

After giving a glimpse of what he is capable of in the first two matches, England batter Liam Livingstone showed his true colors against CSK smashing 60 runs in just 32 balls. The 28-year old also managed to grab key wickets of Shivam Dube and Dwayne Bravo in his three-over spell.

Meanwhile, West Indies all-rounder Odean Smith has been on and off in the last three matches. The right-handed batter was excellent against RCB in PBKS’s first encounter, as he scored a valuable 25 off just eight balls, smashing three maximums and one four. The right-arm pacer has scalped two wickets in three matches but has been very expensive.

Bowlers: Arshdeep Singh, Rahul Chahar, Vaibhav Arora, Kagiso Rabada

Barring the match against RCB, where they gave away 200+ runs, Punjab Kings bowlers have done their job nicely. Leg-spinner Rahul Chahar has been the pick of the bowlers for PBKS, scalping six wickets in just three matches. Both Kagiso Rabada and left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh have been effective as well, taking crucial wickets for their side.

Youngster Vaibhav Arora was also impressive in his first game against CSK. The 24-year old has managed to scalp two crucial wickets of CSK’s opening batter Robin Uthappa and explosive batter Moeen Ali. Starting the proceedings for his side, Arora gave away only 24 runs in his four-over quota. With PBKS restricting CSK at 126/10 in 18 overs, the team management would not want to make any changes in the bowling department.

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