"I don't think they are a team that can progress" - Aakash Chopra on Gujarat Titans heading into IPL 2024 clash vs Punjab Kings

Aakash Chopra doesn't expect the Gujarat Titans (GT) to qualify for the playoffs in IPL 2024.

The Titans will face the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in a league game in Mullanpur on Sunday, April 21. With six points from seven games and an indifferent net run rate of -1.303, the IPL 2022 champions are placed eighth on the points table. They will need a few emphatic wins to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Previewing the game in a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra predicted a Punjab Kings win and opined that the Gujarat Titans are unlikely to make it through to the knockouts.

"Who am I backing here? I had backed Punjab in the last match and I am backing Punjab only. I have a lot of friends in Gujarat. Ashish Nehra, Narender Negi and Mithun Manhas are all my friends, but they are not playing an entertaining brand of cricket and aren't playing good cricket either. I don't think they are a team that can progress. They are missing Hardik Pandya and Mohammed Shami a lot," he reasoned (14:40).

The former India opener chose Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan as the Gujarat Titans batters to watch out for in Sunday's game.

"Shubman Gill once again. You can keep both Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan. It doesn't seem like anyone apart from them will score runs. The team collapses like a house of cards once both of them get out as it happened in the last match against Delhi," he said (14:05).

Chopra named Noor Ahmad and Rashid Khan as the two Gujarat Titans bowlers in focus.

"Then two bowlers - Noor Ahmad and Rashid Khan. Do well because the ball stuck a little (on the pitch) when the Mumbai vs Punjab match happened here the last time. It seemed like the ball was getting stuck a little in the first innings," he explained.

Rashid has picked up seven wickets in as many games at an economy rate of 7.80 in IPL 2024. Noor has accounted for three dismissals at an economy rate of 8.01 in five matches.

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"Send Shashank at No. 4" - Aakash Chopra wants Punjab Kings batter to be sent up the order against Gujarat Titans

Shashank Singh is the Punjab Kings' top run-getter in IPL 2024. [P/C: iplt20.com]

Aakash Chopra picked Shashank Singh and Ashutosh Sharma as the Punjab Kings batters to watch out for against the Gujarat Titans and urged the hosts to send the former up the order.

"Two kids are playing well - Shashank and Ashutosh. I will focus on both of them once again because they are winning hearts. Whatever you do, send Shashank at No. 4. A little muddled thinking has been a part of the Punjab team's bloodstream. They do slightly inexplicable things," he stated (12:30).

The renowned commentator noted that either Harshal Patel or Arshdeep Singh will be in focus depending on whether PBKS bat or field first.

"After that, I will pick one more player. If they are bowling first, then Harshal Patel, and if they are bowling second, then Arshdeep Singh. Arsh does not have very good numbers in the first innings and Harshal doesn't have very good numbers in the second innings," Chopra explained.

Harshal registered impressive figures of 3/31 in four overs in the Punjab Kings' last game against the Mumbai Indians (MI) at the same venue. On the flip side, Arshdeep went wicketless and conceded 35 runs in three overs and will want to bounce back with an excellent performance against the Gujarat Titans.