Punjab have also won two of their first three matches but are placed sixth because of their negative Net Run Rate (NRR). Both the sides will be entering the match on the back of defeats in their respective last matches.
While Gujarat lost their match to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Punjab were beaten by Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). Ahead of Punjab’s second home match of the IPL 2023 season, let’s have a look at four bowlers who can take most wickets in the match.
Arshdeep Singh: Punjab Kings’ left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh picked three wickets in the first match held in Mohali on April 1. He bowled three overs for 19 runs and picked the wickets of Mandeep Singh, Anukul Roy and Venkatesh Iyer.
The 24-year-old- represents Punjab in the domestic circuit and therefore has played a lot of cricket in Mohali. He has played three IPL matches at the venue and picked five wickets at an average of 17.20. Arshdeep’s matchup against southpaws Sai Sudarshan and David Miller would be interesting ones.
Kagiso Rabada: The South African pacer is yet to play a match this season. He missed out on the first two matches due to his international commitments. He was available for the third match but the management continued with Nathan Ellis who picked five wickets in the first two matches.
However, the senior pacer is very likely to replace Ellis in the match against Gujarat. Rabada was the third-highest wicket-taker in the IPL 2022 season. He picked 23 wickets in 13 matches at an average of 17.65. In the two matches against GT, he has picked six wickets at an average of 11.33 and an economy of 8.50.
Rashid Khan: The star leg-spinner is already the joint second-highest wicket-taker in the season. He has picked eight wickets at an average of 11.75. The last three matches have seen him pick three wickets each.
Mohali is a venue where Rashid hasn’t found much success. He has picked three wickets in three matches at an average of 30.33 and an economy of 7.58 at the IS Bindra Stadium. The number one ranked T20I bowler in the world would be aiming to better his record at the venue on Thursday.
Alzarri Joseph: Fast bowlers have enjoyed bowling in Mohali. The Punjab Kings batters will be wary of the threat from the very dangerous Alzarri Joseph. The right-arm has already picked six wickets at an average of 14.83 in IPL 2023.
One of the most talented young pacers going around, Joseph has played 12 T20Is and picked 12 wickets at an average of 16.36 and a strike rate of 7.82.
