Mohali: Punjab Kings (PBKS) will lock horns with defending champions Gujarat Titans (GT) in their fourth match of the ongoing IPL at the Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium here on Thursday.
The Shikhar Dhawan-led Punjab will look to bounce back after suffering their first defeat of IPL 2023 against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on Sunday.
Put into bat, skipper Dhawan once again led from the front by slamming an unbeaten 99 off just 66 balls to help Punjab post 143/9 in their 20 overs. However, Hyderabad rode on Rahul Tripathi’s unbeaten 48-ball 74 and Aiden Markam’s 37 not out off 21 balls to register an eight-wicket victory.
Under the tutelage of head coach Trevor Bayliss, Punjab earlier started their IPL 2023 campaign by beating Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals in their opening two matches.
With four points from three matches, the Punjab outfit is currently placed sixth in the IPL standings.
For Punjab, Dhawan has been in sensational form in the ongoing T20 tournament so far. The 37-year-old is the current Orange Cap holder, having amassed 225 runs in three matches at a strike rate of 149, with two fifties to his name.
In the bowling department, left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh has been the wrecker-in-chief for Punjab. The 24-year-old has already picked up six wickets in three matches at an average of 14.33 and an economy of 8.60.
Reigning IPL champions Gujarat will also look to return to winning ways after succumbing to their first defeat of the season against Kolkata in a high-scoring thriller at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday.
Twin fifties from Sai Sudharsan (53) and Vijay Shankar (63 not out) powered Gujarat to 204/4 in their 20 overs. Later, star leg-spinner Rashid Khan bagged a hat-trick to reduce Kolkata to 155/7 in 16.3 overs.
However, Kolkata's Rinku Singh pulled off one of the most dramatic finishes in IPL history as he smashed five consecutive sixes off fast bowler Yash Dayal in the 20th over to help the visitors register a memorable three-wicket win.
Gujarat defeated Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals in their previous two matches.
With two wins and one loss, Gujarat are currently placed fourth in the standings with four points from three games.
Punjab and Gujarat have faced each other twice in the IPL so far. While Gujarat registered a six-wicket win in their first meeting, Punjab bounced back to thrash their rivals by eight wickets in their last encounter.
Punjab will aim to make use of the home advantage and continue their winning run against GT on Thursday.
The match will start at 7:30 pm IST. (UNI)
