Tonight’s fourth IPL 2023 match will pit Punjab Kings (PBKS) against Gujarat Titans (GT). Last season, the two teams played a thrilling match in which Rahul Tewatia scored two maximums off the final two deliveries to help GT win an unlikely match. In the rematch, PBKS prevailed comfortably by eight wickets to avenge that defeat. At the PCA IS Bindra Stadium on Thursday (April 13), PBKS and GT will begin a new chapter in their rivalry.
The Titans will take to the Mohali field without precedent for their IPL history. Both the batters and the fast bowlers have benefited from the conditions at this location.
GT have won two of their three matches in IPL 2023 so far, benefiting from a potent fast-bowling attack and an efficient batting lineup. In a similar vein, PBKS has also won two of its three games. Two weeks ago, they defeated the Kolkata Knight Riders at the PCA IS Bindra Stadium, and they will be eager to win again on their own turf.
Here are three player battles to keep an eye out for before the game between the Punjab Kings and the Gujarat Titans begins.
1) Rashid Khan vs Liam Livingstone
In the previous match, Rashid Khan led the Gujarat Titans and scored a hat trick for his team. Even though his hat trick didn’t help GT win, Punjab Kings batters will play with caution tonight against him.
However, Liam Livingstone is one batter who does not play cautiously against any bowler. In advance of PBKS’ IPL match against GT, the England all-rounder has joined the team. It will be exciting to see how he performs against Khan, as he will likely replace Matthew Short in the playing XI.
2) Kagiso Rabada vs Shubman Gill
In the very first IPL match between Gujarat Titans and Punjab Kings, Kagiso Rabada gave Shubman Gill the boot. In the second match between the two teams, the speedster from South Africa also picked up four wickets. Because he enjoys competing against GT, he will hold the key to PBKS’ success tonight.
GT, on the other hand, will be hoping that Shubman Gill, who scored 96 runs against PBKS last year, will play a big part in this year’s matchup. In the powerplay overs, the Gill-Rabada battle will be the focus of all attention.
3) Arshdeep Singh vs. Sai Sudharsan
This season, Sai Sudharsan has been the best player for the Gujarat Titans. For GT in IPL 2023, the uncapped Indian batter has produced some outstanding runs. He scored 35 runs in his IPL debut against PBKS last year. He scored his first IPL half-ton against Punjab later in the season.
The home team will hope that their left-arm fast bowler Arshdeep Singh gets his wicket quickly despite the fact that Sudarshan has a great record against PBKS. After scoring three wickets in PBKS’ first home match of the IPL 2023 season against KKR, Singh is in excellent form.