IPL 2024 – Match 17, GT vs PBKS Match Prediction: Who Will Win Today’s Match?

GT vs PBKS: The 17th match of the IPL 2024 will see Gujarat Titans (GT) locking horns with Punjab King (PBKS) at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on Thursday, April 4th.

The Titans kicked off their season with a victory over the Mumbai Indians. However, they faced a blow in their following match against CSK before bouncing back with a win against the Sunrisers Hyderabad. 

In their most recent match against SRH, they successfully chased down a target of 163 runs with five balls to spare, with notable contributions from Sai Sudharsan and David Miller complementing the efforts of Mohit Sharma and his teammates.

On the other hand, the Punjab Kings began their campaign with a triumph over the Delhi Capitals but then suffered defeats in their next two matches against RCB and the Lucknow Super Giants. They were unable to defend a total of 177 against Bengaluru and fell short in their chase of 200 runs against KL Rahul-led LSG.

Out of the three matches played thus far, the Titans have emerged victorious in two, while the Punjab Kings have secured one win. 

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What to expect?

Punjab Kings will be playing for the first time against Gujarat Titans here at Ahmedebad’s  Narendra Modi Stadium, so it will be a good challenge for them to showcase their talent.

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GT vs PBKS Toss Prediction

The game is scheduled to be held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Historically, the pitch has been known for its even surface. 

However, in the current season, it has shown a tendency to be sluggish, providing assistance to the bowlers. Batters have found it challenging to accelerate their scoring rate. 

Bowlers’ success will hinge on maintaining a consistent line and length. Batters will need to capitalise on the powerplay overs. The influence of dew could play a role in the outcome of the match.

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GT vs PBKS Strengths & Weaknesses

GT’s Strengths

Their bowling attack is their biggest strength with the likes of Rashid Khan, and Noor Ahmed handling spin duties while Mohit Sharma spearheads the pace department. 

GT’s Weaknesses

Shubhman Gill’s form remains the top concern for the franchise. Since the start of the tournament, Gill has not been able to perform for what he is known for. The Punjab batter has an average of just 25 in his first three games.

PBKS Strengths

The bowling line-up of the Punjab Kings has been doing very well since the start of the tournament. Kagiso Rabada, Arshdeep Singh and Sam Curran all three of them have taken four wickets each along with Harpreet Brar’s three wickets. 

Though Harshal Patel and Rahul Chahar have not been able to perform that well in this season, Punjab Kings bowling looks strong.

PBKS Weaknesses

One weakness apparent in the team is its heavy reliance on Shikhar Dhawan in the batting department. With 137 runs scored this season at an average of 45, Dhawan has been the standout performer. However, the remaining batters are yet to find their form. 

In their bowling also, Harshal Patel is working on improving his skills in bowling during the final overs of the innings, and Harpreet Brar hasn’t received much support from Rahul Chahar as well in the spin department.

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Conclusion

In conclusion, the upcoming GT vs PBKS IPL match promises to be an intriguing battle between two teams looking to secure vital points in the tournament. 

With the Titans putting a strong batting performance in their previous match, led by the dependable Shikhar Dhawan, and the Kings aiming to bounce back from recent setbacks, all eyes will be on the players to deliver their best on the field. 

The conditions at the Narendra Modi Stadium, with its slower wicket and potential dew factor, add another layer of complexity to the encounter. That being said, the Gujarat Titans are the favourites to win this game, thanks to their home advantage.