As the 2024 Indian Premier League season reaches its halfway stage, Punjab Kings will clash with Gujarat Titans in the 37th match of the tournament on Sunday, in the second game of the double-header Sunday set to unfold at Mullanpur Cricket Stadium, Chandigarh.
The Kings, led by stand-in captain Sam Curran, face a daunting task to secure a playoff berth, needing to win at least five of their remaining seven matches—a feat that appears nearly insurmountable at this juncture.
However, amidst their losing streak, the Kings have exhibited unwavering resilience, epitomised by the never-say-die attitude of Shashank Singh and Ashutosh Sharma, who have consistently grabbed headlines, particularly following their stellar performances against GT and MI.
The road ahead is equally challenging for last season’s runners-up, GT, who suffered a significant blow to their net run rate following a crushing defeat by Delhi Capitals on Wednesday.
In terms of current standings, both teams find themselves in close proximity, with the hosts currently occupying the 9th spot, having secured 2 wins and suffered 5 losses, while the Shubman Gill-led side sits just above PBKS in 8th place with 3 wins and 4 losses.
What has happened so far?
PBKS commenced their campaign in Mullanpur with a triumphant 4-wicket victory against Delhi Capitals. However, their momentum waned when they faced Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Lucknow Super Giants on the road, suffering consecutive defeats.
In a thrilling encounter against GT in Ahmedabad, Punjab orchestrated a remarkable run chase of 200 runs, snatching victory from the jaws of defeat. The emergence of two new stars, Shashank and Ashutosh played a pivotal role in securing the two crucial points for the team.
Despite the euphoria of that triumph, the Punjab-based franchise has since faltered, enduring three successive losses, all suffered at their home ground against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Rajasthan Royals, and Mumbai Indians most recently.
Meanwhile, the Titans secured a thrilling victory over MI, snatching triumph from the jaws of defeat. However, their journey took a downturn with a hefty 63-run loss to Chennai in the subsequent match, significantly impacting their net run rate.
Subsequently, their performance has been lacklustre, punctuated by a miraculous win over the Royals but tempered by defeats to PBKS, LSG, and DC.
Head to Head Record
In the four matches contested between these two sides, victory has been evenly split, with both teams triumphing twice. Nevertheless, PBKS clinched the most recent encounter in their ongoing rivalry.
Key Players
Shashank Singh (Punjab Kings): Shashank Singh, the uncapped Indian player for Kings, has emerged as the franchise’s saviour, consistently making impactful contributions in the middle order. With an impressive tally of 187 runs in 7 matches, at an astounding average of 62.33 and a strike rate of almost 180, Singh has been instrumental in Punjab’s campaigns.
In a memorable showdown against GT earlier this season, Singh’s breathtaking knock of an unbeaten 61 off just 29 balls, at a staggering strike rate of 210, steered his team to victory from a seemingly dire situation, showcasing his match-winning abilities.
His fearless approach and remarkable consistency make him a key player to watch, especially when facing the Gujarat bowlers once again.
Earlier this season against PBKS, Gill smashed 89 runs off 48 balls
Shubman Gill (Gujarat Titans): As the local hero and captain of Titans, Shubman Gill has established himself as a formidable force against Punjab Kings in the IPL.
With a remarkable record, Gill has amassed the highest runs and boasts the best batting average against PBKS compared to any other team. In 11 innings against the Men in Red, Gill has accumulated 486 runs at an impressive average of 69.43 and a striking rate of 145.51, including six fifties.
So far in the tournament, the Punjab-born batsman is currently the 6th highest run-getter of the tournament, having accumulated 263 runs in 7 innings with an average and a strike rate of 43.83 and 151.14 respectively.
Team News from Both Camps
Punjab Kings’ skipper, Shikhar Dhawan had been sidelined for the past two matches due to a shoulder injury and is set to sit out the forthcoming clash against GT as he continues rehabilitation.
In contrast, GT received a boost with the return of experienced players such as Wriddhiman Saha and David Miller in the last match after recovering from their injuries. Though both batsmen were dismissed cheaply, each making only 2 runs, the team anticipates a resilient comeback from the duo in the crucial upcoming fixture.
Predicted XIs
Punjab Kings: Prabhsimran Singh, Sam Curran ©, Rilee Rossouw, Shashank Singh, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Liam Livingstone, Ashutosh Sharma, Harpreet Brar, Harshal Patel, Kagiso Rabada, Arshdeep Singh
Gujarat Titans: Shubman Gill ©, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Sai Sudharsan, Kane Williamson, David Miller, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Mohit Sharma, Noor Ahmad, Darshan Nalkande, Sandeep Warrier
Prediction
Coming with a low in confidence, both teams will be desperate for the win in the upcoming fixture to stay in the race of the playoffs. Despite losing their last couple of games, the Kings have an additional advantage of playing at home and might enter the field as the favorites over the Ashish Nehra-coached side.