IPL 2022: Match 48 – Predicted Punjab Kings Playing XI vs Gujarat Titans

The Punjab Kings will square off against the Gujarat Titans at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai for the 48^th game of IPL 2022 scheduled on May 3^rd. PBKS is facing a tough time in the competition as they have not been successful in getting many victories. With five losses from nine games, they’re placed in the bottom half of the leaderboard.

In GT and PBKS’ first encounter of IPL 2022, Shubman Gill had smashed a magnificent 59-ball 96 to cut short the chase for his team. PBKS failed to defend the score as Rahul Tewatia’s last over heroics turned the game in GT’s favour. PBKS will look to level it this time, and push harder to stop GT’s dream winning run in the tournament and continue their own run in the playoffs race.

Here’s the predicted Playing XI of Punjab Kings for Match 48 of IPL 2022:

Openers: Mayank Agarwal & Shikhar Dhawan

While the skipper has not been able to perform much for his side, Dhawan has been on and off in the tournament so far. Agarwal needs to step up and lead the team from the front, and Dhawan needs to be consistent in the games so as to give the team a good start to the game.

Both of them were dismissed early when they faced Lucknow Super Giants in their previous encounter. The team would require a strong opening partnership from the duo and they will have to take the lead in doing so.

Middle-order: Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Jonny Bairstow, Jitesh Sharma (wk)

The PBKS middle-order holds three wicketkeeper batters, and all three have the potential to go long in the game. The three would be required to take care of the game in case the top-order batters fail to perform.

Bairstow had been struggling to score runs with the bat but managed to play a 28-ball 32 runs knock against LSG in the previous game, indicating that he has gotten back into the zone. He’s a proven performer and PBKS would love for him to put up a show.

Rajapaksa was taken back into the combination for the game against CSK, and he scored a composed 42(32) and formed a 110-run partnership with Dhawan for the second wicket. While he would be expected to continue his momentum, Jitesh Sharma will have to anchor the innings and provide a big finish to the team.

All-rounder: Liam Livingstone & Rishi Dhawan

Livingstone has not worked much magic with the ball, but he has surely made his bat talk. He has been successful in adding the crucial runs in the middle and taking his team to either put up a defendable total or cut the chase short. He either scores big or gives a cameo before walking out.

Rishi Dhawan has been a promising all-rounder for the team. He gave his team some crucial breakthroughs with the ball during the game against CSK and held his head high in the game with the bat while facing the LSG.

Bowlers: Kagiso Rabada, Rahul Chahar, Sandeep Sharma, Arshdeep Singh

Sandeep Sharma was the most economical bowler in the previous game as he conceded just 18 runs in four overs scalping a wicket. Rabada also registered an important spell as he helped his team restrict LSG to a par score of 153 runs. He scalped four wickets in the game giving away 38 runs.

Rahul Chahar was fine against LSG, but his game against CSK was not something to remember. He has been hot and cold in the game, whereas Arshdeep Singh has stood up to his worth and proved to be an important member of the squad as his spells have been dreamy. He has given out promising performances and the team will rely on him for his contributions.

Predicted Playing XI:

Mayank Agarwal (c), Shikhar Dhawan, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Jonny Bairstow, Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Rishi Dhawan, Kagiso Rabada, Rahul Chahar, Sandeep Sharma, Arshdeep Singh

Check out our analysis report of who will win today’s IPL match between GT and PBKS.