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Gujarat Titans will be travelling to Mullanpur to take on the Punjab Kings in a must win game. The last time these two teams met was in the pulsating game which took place at Motera, Ahmedabad.
The IPL 2022 winners are coming into the game after the hiding they got at the hands of Delhi Capitals in their last encounter. With just 89 runs on the board, this was the lowest total recorded by Gujarat Titans in their IPL journey so far. Considering the thrashing they got in the last game, the Titans will want to make a few changes to their ahead of the crucial clash on Sunday.
Meanwhile, here is the strongest predicted Playing XI for GT in the game against PBKS at Mullanpur:
Openers: Shubman Gill and Wriddhiman Saha
One of the key areas where the Titans have struggled is the opening position. Shubman Gill has been solid at the top with his best of 89 not out coming against Punjab Kings. The 24-year-old has to lead by example if he wants his side to win the game.
The game against Punjab Kings could be the last chance for veteran wicketkeeper and batter Wriddhiman Saha. The 39-year-old struggled to score runs in the last game and a visit to his former stomping grounds could very well change his luck.
Middle-order: Sai Sudharsan, Kane Williamson, David Miller, Shah Rukh Khan, and Abhinav Manohar
Gujarat Titans will want their seasoned overseas pair of Kane Williamson and David Miller to start showing their true form. The former Kiwi skipper looked solid in the few games that he has been given so far. David Miller on the other hand is yet to explode with the bat like he is capable of doing so.
Sai Sudharsan has got good starts during the season but is yet to post a big score on the board. The middle-order pair of Shah Rukh Khan and Abhinav Manohar too will be playing for a place in the team. The two youngsters have had a quiet time with the bat and in a crunch game, the two players could come good with the bat.
All-rounders: Rahul Tewatia and Rashid Khan
Rashid Khan has been the best player for Gujarat Titans in the last two games. With 55 runs with the bat, the Afghan cricketer has been providing the muscle in the lower-middle order. It is with the bat that Shubman Gill will want the star all-rounder to come good, as he picked just 7 wickets so far.
Rahul Tewatia too needs a huge score, as the left-handed batter has seen his bat go quiet during this season of the IPL. Punjab Kings very well know what Tewatia can do with the bat as he twice showed his dangerous side during the 2020 and 2022 seasons.
Bowlers: Sandeep Warrier and Spencer Johnson
The onus to bowl with the new ball will be on Sandeep Warrier who had a decent IPL debut for his new franchise. A couple of wickets for 40 runs including a brutal bouncer to Prithvi Shaw must have pleased the GT faithfuls.
Spencer Johnson on the other hand has to come good with the ball and prove why he is called as one of the best young and upcoming pacer. The left-arm seamer so far has been one of the most expensive bowlers for the Titans.
Gujarat Titans Predicted XI
Shubman Gill (c), Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Sai Sudharsan, Kane Williamson, David Miller, Rahul Tewatia, Shah Rukh Khan, Abhinav Manohar, Rashid Khan, Sandeep Warrier, and Spencer Johnson
Impact Player – Mohit Sharma
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