Indian T20 League 2022: Match 16- Punjab vs Gujarat: Preview, Probable XIs, Pitch Report, Broadcasting Details and Updates
Mayank-Hardik (image source :BCCI)
Punjab will be facing Gujarat in the 16th match of the Indian T20 League 2022. The match will be played at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai. The fans will be expecting a thriller of a contest between the two teams. Gujarat has been brilliant in their campaign so far and is yet to lose a match. While Punjab is coming into the match on the back of a very convincing victory over the defending champions, Chennai.
Team News:
Punjab: Punjab has looked good as a team so far in the tournament. Their batting looks sorted and the bowling attack did a great job in the last match against Chennai. However, Johnny Bairstow has not yet made an appearance for them. But the team will look to include him in the first eleven in the next match. Bairstow’s presence will boost the morale of the team.
Probable XI: Mayank Agarwal (C), Shikhar Dhawan, Jonny Bairstow (WK) (O), Bhanuka Rajapaksa (O), Liam Livingstone (O), Shahrukh Khan, Arshdeep Singh, Kagiso Rabada (O), Sandeep Sharma, Rahul Chahar, Vaibhav Arora.
Key Players:
Johnny Bairstow: Bairstow’s presence in the team will give them even more solidity to the batting order. In the last match after the dismissal of Liam Livingstone, the team seemed to lose momentum. So, Bairstow batting at number 3 will mean that Rajapaksa will bat at number 4. This will give them dynamism in the middle order that they lacked in the last match.
Liam Livingstone: In Punjab’s last match against Chennai, Livingstone smashed the Chennai bowlers and completely changed the momentum of the match. He scored 60 runs off 32 deliveries. Besides, he picked up two wickets and took a sharp catch. His all-round presence was the most important factor in Punjab’s win over Chennai. The team will hope that the all-rounder continues with his brilliant form and contribute to the team’s win.
Kagiso Rabada: Rabada has looked rusty till now in the tournament. Punjab will be hoping that he quickly picks up his form and pairs with the young Vaibhav Arora to give them wickets at the beginning of the innings.
Gujarat: Gujarat is looking like a team to beat in the tournament. They have won both their matches in the campaign so far. In the last match, the bowling looked well sorted with the inclusion of Lockie Ferguson who picked up 4 wickets. Gujarat will look to extend their winning streak and continue with their form.
Probable XI: Shubman Gill, Matthew Wade (O) (wk), Vijay Shankar, Hardik Pandya (c), David Miller (O), Rahul Tewatia, Abhinav Manohar, Rashid Khan (O), Lockie Ferguson (O), Varun Aaron, Mohammed Shami.
Key Players
Shubman Gill: After an ordinary first match, Gill came roaring back in the very next match. In the match against Delhi, he scored a brilliant 84 off 46 deliveries. The team will be hoping that he continues with his form and gives them a solid start.
Lockie Ferguson: With 4 wickets for 28 runs from 4 overs in the last match against Delhi, Ferguson is looking like a great asset for Gujarat. He will be leading the attack with Mohammed Shami and the team will hope that the duo gives them wickets at the beginning of the innings.
Pitch Report: The pitch at the Brabourne Stadium has been batting friendly till now in the season. Of the three matches, two matches have been won by the team batting second. So, we can expect one more high-scoring thriller. The captain winning the toss will most probably field first in the match.
Indian T20 League 2022
Average First Innings Score: 189
Average Second Innings Score: 172
Match Details
Date- 8th April, 2022
Time- 7:30 PM (IST)
Venue- Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai
Broadcast- Star Sports Network on television, Disney+ Hotstar for online streaming
