IPL 2022, Punjab Kings vs Gujarat Titans: 6 players to watch out for in today’s game

In today’s IPL game, Punjab Kings (PBKS) take on the Gujarat Titans (GT). While Punjab have won two out of three games so far, Gujarat have won the two games it has played.

For Gujarat, the tournament is going well as their skipper Hardik Pandya has returned back to the form. Apart from him, Shubham Gill, Rashid Khan and Lockie Ferguson also looking good.

For Punjab, Liam Livingstone and Bhanuka Rajapaksa have emerged as match winners this season. There is another good news for Punjab as Johny Bairstow, who joined the squad recently, might be playing today’s match. But for that to happen, the team will have to either bench Bhanuka Rajapaksa or Odean Smith.

Here are 6 players to watch out for in today’s game:

HARDIK PANDYA (GT)

The Gujarat captain has performed well in the two games he has played. In the first match against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), Pandya scored 33 off 28 balls. In the second game, he scored 31 off 27 balls. Pandya is a powerful hitter of the cricket ball, especially against  the spinners. The Punjab bowlers will have an uphill task to keep Pandya in check.

LIAM LIVINGSTONE (PBKS)

Liam Livingstone, with his knock of 60 off 32 deliveries in the last match against CSK showed why he was bagged at Rs 11.5 crore, which was also the highest for any overseas player in IPL this year. With Liam Livingstone and Johny Bairstow in the side for Punjab, the fans can expect some fireworks today.

SHUBMAN GILL (GT)

The star batter for Gujarat made a thrilling comeback in the last match against Delhi Capitals when he scored 84 off 46 balls. Gill hit six boundaries and four sixes during this innings. He was roped in ahead of the auctions by Gujarat at Rs 8 crore. Gill opens the innings with Mathew Wade. He will be facing the likes of Kagiso Rabada, Rahul Chahar and Arshdeep Singh today.

LOCKIE FERGUSSON (GT)

In the last game against Delhi, Lockie Fergusson clinched four wickets during his bowling spell, conceding just 28 runs. The star bowler who played for KKR last season was roped in by Gujarat at Rs 10 crore this season. Today, Fergusson will have to face Johny Bairstow and Bhanuka Rajapaksa, who are explosive batters in the T-20 format.

BHANUKA RAJAPAKSA (PBKS)

Bhanuka Rajapaksa has shown his potential in the three games Punjab has played this season. In the last game against KKR, Rajapaksa scored 31 off 9 balls with three fours and three sixes. In the match against RCB, Rajapaksa scored 43 off 22 balls. 

JOHNY BAIRSTOW (PBKS)

It remains to be seen whether Bairstow will play or not, but, having known that he has returned to the squad makes it likely possible that he will play. The England batter was purchased by Punjab franchise at 6.75 crore. He is an explosive batsman in the shortest format of the game. 

The match takes place on April 8, 2022 at 7:30 pm at the Brabourne stadium, Mumbai.