IPL 2022, 16th Match: Key Players & Match Ups | Punjab Kings & Gujarat Titans

PBKS vs GT IPL 2022: Punjab Kings are set to take on Gujarat Titans in the 16th match of the IPL 2022. Punjab Kings defeated defending champions Chennai Super Kings while Gujarat Titans have remained undefeated this season till now in the two matches they have played. 

Gujarat will be playing at Brabourne Stadium tonight for the first time while Punjab defeated Chennai by 54 runs in their last outing here. After 15 matches, with the tournament still in its early stages, both teams would be looking to register a win and build an early lead in the points table. 

Here are a few key players & matchups from tonight's matchup that can affect the result of the match. 

1. Shikhar Dhawan & Mohammad Shami

The left-handed Indian opener has registered more than 500+ runs in each season of the IPL since 2019 and has been a consistent performer in the IPL. After getting released by Delhi Capitals ahead of IPL 2022 auction, Shikhar Dhawan was acquired by Punjab Kings for 8.25 crores INR. In the match between PBKS and GT, Dhawan will be against his former Punjab teammate, Mohammad Shami. 

Shami has been the top wicket-taker for GT in the 2 matches they've played, picking up 5 wickets at an economy of 6.88. Dhawan on the other hand has remained unbeaten against Shami in 11 innings, with 103 runs to his name and it will be interesting to see whether the Punjab opener helps his team to a good start, given his opening partner and PBKS captain Mayank Agarwal has played just three deliveries against Shami.

2. Shubman Gill & Rahul Chahar

Shubman Gill played a gem of an innings in the match between Gujarat Titans and Delhi Capitals, scoring 84 runs off 46 balls and taking GT to a total of 171 runs. Gill has faced 21 balls against spin this season and has remained unbeaten while scoring 45 runs with a strike rate of 214. 

Also Read: IPL 2022 - Scorecard

Rahul Chahar was the pick of the bowlers for Punjab Kings as he picked up 3 wickets for 25 runs in his 4 overs, helping CSK restrict to 126/10 after setting a target of 181. He is one of the three spinners who have dismissed Gill twice in IPL, and Rahul Chahar is one of them, dismissing the right-handed batter twice in three innings. Hence, there is a huge possibility of Rahul being introduced early into the attack to tackle in-form Shubman Gill.