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Shubman Gill

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Who will win the Punjab Elections?

BJP 32.76%

AAP 43.10%

INC 24.14%

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Siddharth in focus

After losing their opening game to Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur, LSG have done well to win their next two ties, especially the one against RCB in Bangalore, which was a big morale-booster for them. In that game, another young LSG talent Manimaran Siddharth hogged the limelight by taking the crucial wicket of Virat Kohli, his first in the IPL. The left-arm spinner has the knack of bowling well with the new ball and has an inswing delivery which can fox the best of batters. The Chennai-born bowler’s performance would also be followed keenly, not only in tonight’s match, but right through the IPL.

As for Gujarat Titans, they come into the match after a heartbreaking defeat to Punjab Kings in Ahmedabad. GT had the upper hand right through, but somehow contrived to lose the close game with some poor fielding and bowling when it mattered most. GT will have to show resilience and come back strongly to tame LSG in the latter’s den. Their young skipper Shubman Gill will have to lead by example and motivate others to give their best, especially the trio of Afghan bowlers—Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmed and Azmatullah Omarzai. Each of them is a proven match-winner, but yet to hit top form.  

With both teams desperate to maintain their momentum in the race to playoffs, and with both having exciting, young talent, one can expect a keen battle on a pitch where the home team had posted IPL’s highest total at the venue of 199 and then defended it well against Punjab Kings.