Punjab Kings (PBKS) will lock horns with defending champions Gujarat Titans (GT) in their fourth match of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 at the Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali on Thursday, April 13.

The Shikhar Dhawan-led Punjab Kings will look to bounce back after suffering their first defeat of IPL 2023 against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on Sunday.

Put into bat, skipper Dhawan once again led from the front by slamming an unbeaten 99 off just 66 balls to help the Kings post 143/9 in their 20 overs. However, the Sunrisers rode on Rahul Tripathi’s unbeaten 48-ball 74 and Aiden Markam’s 37 not out off 21 balls to register an eight-wicket victory.

Under the tutelage of head coach Trevor Bayliss, the Kings earlier started their IPL 2023 campaign by beating Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals in their opening two matches.

With four points from three matches, the PBKS outfit is currently placed sixth in the IPL 2023 standings.

For the Kings, Dhawan has been in sensational form in the ongoing T20 tournament so far. The 37-year-old is the current Orange Cap holder, having amassed 225 runs in three matches at a strike rate of 149, with two fifties to his name.

In the bowling department, left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh has been the wrecker-in-chief for PBKS. The 24-year-old has already picked up six wickets in three matches at an average of 14.33 and an economy of 8.60.

Reigning IPL champions Gujarat Titans will also look to return to winning ways after succumbing to their first defeat of the season against the Knight Riders in a high-scoring thriller at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday.

Twin fifties from Sai Sudharsan (53) and Vijay Shankar (63 not out) powered the Titans to 204/4 in their 20 overs. Later, star leg-spinner Rashid Khan bagged a hat-trick to reduce the Knight Riders to 155/7 in 16.3 overs. However, KKR’s Rinku Singh pulled off one of the most dramatic finishes in IPL history as he smashed five consecutive sixes off fast bowler Yash Dayal in the 20th over to help the visitors register a memorable three-wicket win.

The Titans defeated Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals in their previous two matches in IPL 2023.

With two wins and one loss, the Titans are currently placed fourth in the standings with four points from three games.

Punjab Kings vs Gujarat Titans head-to-head

Punjab Kings and Gujarat Titans have faced each other twice in the IPL so far. While the Titans registered a six-wicket win in their first meeting, the Kings bounced back to thrash the Titans by eight wickets in their last encounter.

The Shikhar Dhawan-led PBKS will aim to make use of the home advantage and continue their winning run against GT on Thursday. The match will start at 7:30 PM Indian Standard Time (IST).