Unbeaten Gujarat to battle in-form Punjab

MUMBAI: Pacers Mohammed Shami and Lockie Ferguson make up one of the most lethal new-ball pairs in the League while leg-spinner Rashid Khan is yet to fire on all cylinders. Skipper Hardik Pandya bowling full tilt adds to the potency of the Gujarat attack, but the team’s batting has been a bit of a concern so far.

Opener Shubman Gill and Hardik will need support from the rest of the batting department if the unbeaten Titans is to make it three victories in as many matches. Gujarat’s rival Punjab heads into the contest on the back of a comprehensive win over Chennai Super Kings.

While the openers – Shikhar Dhawan and captain Mayank Agarwal – are yet to make significant contributions, Bhanuka Rajapaksa has shown what he is capable of. But, it will be interesting to see if wicketkeeper-batter Jonny Bairstow replaces Bhanuka in the eleven. Bairstow was out of quarantine just ahead of the previous match, but did not feature in the Chennai encounter. Liam Livingstone is fresh off a magnificent all-round performance, but Shahrukh Khan will have to up his game. On the bowling front, Kagiso Rabada, Arshdeep Singh and leggie Rahul Chahar could hold the key for Kings.

Rana fined; Bumrah reprimanded

Kolkata Knight Riders batter Nitish Rana has been reprimanded and fined 10 per cent of his match fee for a ‘Level 1’ offence during his team’s game against Mumbai Indians in Pune on Wednesday. Mumbai pacer Jasprit Bumrah has been let off with a reprimand for breaching the ‘Code of Conduct’ during the same match.