Today Punjab will face Gujarat: Punjab would like to avoid Hardik's attack, Livingstone can turn the match on his own

Posted on 8th Apr 2022 by rohit kumar

Punjab Kings will face Gujarat Titans in the match of IPL 2022 today. This match will be played at Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai from 7:30 pm. PBKS had defeated CSK in their previous match. At present, the net run rate of Punjab, which has won 2 matches in 3 matches, is running at +0.238. Talking about Gujarat, this new team has won both the matches played so far. Gujarat has a net run rate of +0.495. Today's match is expected to be exciting in such conditions.

 

pitch report

 

In this IPL 2022 season, we have easily seen 180+ scores in the last two matches here. In the beginning, there will be little help for the fast bowlers, later it will be easier for the batsmen to score runs on this surface. If the bowlers do not pick up wickets in the beginning, then a big partnership can flourish.

 

Punjab has made a name by playing better

 

Not much was expected from the Punjab team this time after KL Rahul left the captaincy. But after chasing a big target of 206 runs against Bangalore, Punjab declared to enter the arena with full force. The great form of Liam Livingstone, who has created panic in cricket leagues around the world, can be a big plus point for the franchise. Livingstone scored 60 runs in 32 balls against CSK and also took two wickets. Based on this performance, he won the Man of the Match award. The Gujarat team would like to be careful with him.

 

Apart from them, all eyes will be on Shikhar Dhawan and Mayank Agarwal. In Mayank's case, it is seen that he is losing his wicket in the pursuit of a faster start. If he shows some patience in the beginning, then a big inning is not far away from him. The pair of Shahrukh Khan and Odeon Smith seems to be all set to create panic in the middle order. Kagiso Rabada's ability to bat in the lower order along with the stormy bowling makes him the gamechanger of Punjab.

 

Gujarat will come to maintain the winning streak

 

On the other hand, Gujarat Titans have not lost a single match under the leadership of Hardik. GT has won two out of two matches this season and are in the third spot with four points. Opener Shubman Gill hinted at a return to form after scoring 84 off 46 balls in the last game against Delhi Capitals. Playing at a strike rate of 182, Gill's batting showed class while hitting 6 fours and 4 sixes.

 

Apart from this, the bowling unit of Gujarat is also strong. Players like Mohammed Shami, Lockie Ferguson, Rashid Khan, and Hardik Pandya know how to keep the momentum of the game in their favor with the help of bowling. Hardik, whose international career was considered over, is seen in a new avatar after becoming the captain. Taking advantage of his tall stature, Hardik is hitting the decks at a speed of over 140. The situation became such that in the last match, his bouncer hit the batsman's helmet. Seeing this, it is felt that Hardik has made a comeback in the true sense.

 

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