IPL 2026: PBKS vs GT - The Battle of the Heavyweights

IPL 2026: PBKS vs GT - Preview

Last year's finalists Punjab Kings are all set to kick-off their IPL 2026 campaign against the Gujarat Titans. Shreyas Iyer has led two teams to the finals in the last two seasons, winning the title for the Knights. The Punjab skipper had an outstanding IPL 2025 scoring 604 runs at a strike-rate of 175. Iyer has not played a single T20 since last year's final, due to injuries and also lack of opportunities in the Indian set up. The franchise is yet to win an IPL title and the onus will be on Iyer again to guide them through.

India's ODI and Test captain Shubman Gill will be in action today. The GT skipper played 15 T20Is last year, had a lean run and couldn't cement his spot in the Indian squad. Gill amassed 650 at 155.87 in IPL 2025 and yet was lost in oblivion between then and now. The 2022 champions will look to begin their season with a win and go all the way this time.

Pitch Conditions

The average first innings score at Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium is 172.5 runs. This provides a solid benchmark for teams batting first, indicating that a score around 170+ is generally competitive at this venue. Teams winning the toss and choosing to bat first can aim for a total near this to apply pressure on the opposition.

PBKS vs GT: Key Players' Form

• Shreyas Iyer in his last five games has impressive numbers - an average of 56.33 and a strike rate of 176.04. Interestingly, Iyer has performed even better against Gujarat Titans historically with an average of 109.0 and strike rate of 191.23.

• Shubman Gill averages 41.6 runs in his last 5 innings, with scores of 56, 49, 33, 27, and 42. Jos Buttler hasn't been in the best of forms, averaging just 7.4 with a strike rate of 92.5 in his last five innings. However, against Punjab Kings Buttler has done marginaly better, with an average of 24.33 and a strike-rate of 152.08.

• Arshdeep Singh for Punjab Kings has taken 6 wickets at an average of 29.67 and economy rate of 8.9 in his last 5 matches. Against Gujarat Titans, the pacer has taken 3 wickets at an average of 28.67 with economy 8.46. However, his performance at this particular venue has seen just 1 wicket in his last 3 matches with an inflated average of 100 and economy of 11.11.

Who's Winning the Openers' Contest?

• Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan put together 912 runs as a pair in IPL 2025, becoming only the third duo to cross 900 partnership runs in a single season. Gill ended with 650 runs, while Sudharsan claimed the Orange Cap with 759. Both scored at strike-rates exceeding 155 and played a key role in GT’s run to the playoffs. However, with the middle order still lacking a proven enforcer and Jos Buttler struggling for consistency, GT may once again find themselves heavily reliant on their opening pair.

• Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya were pivotal to PBKS’ journey to the IPL final. Their 532 runs together marked the highest-ever partnership tally in a season by an uncapped opening duo, with both players scoring over 450 runs at strike-rates above 160.

  Across 17 matches in IPL 2025, at least one of them crossed 40 in 15 games, a consistency that played a major role in PBKS winning 11 matches.

Team News & Probable Starting XIs

PBKS: Cooper Connolly is likely to slot in at No. 3 for PBKS, with Marcus Stoinis and Marco Jansen certain starters. The final overseas spot will be contested between Azmatullah Omarzai, Ben Dwarshuis, and Xavier Bartlett.

Probable Starting XI: Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Cooper Connolly, Shreyas Iyer (c), Marcus Stoinis, Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Marco Jansen, Xavier Bartlett/Ben Dwarshuis/Azmatullah Omarzai, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal Impact player: Vijaykumar Vyshak

GT: With Rashid Khan and Washington Sundar in the XI, GT could prefer adding a fourth pacer instead of R Sai Kishore, given that conditions in New Chandigarh tend to assist seamers. Ashok Sharma, an exciting young prospect, is in contention for a debut, while Arshad Khan offers a different angle with his left-arm pace. Probable Starting XI: Shubman Gill (c), B Sai Sudharsan, Jos Buttler (wk), Washington Sundar, Glenn Phillips, M Shahrukh Khan, Rahul Tewatia, Jason Holder/Kagiso Rabada, Rashid Khan, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj, Impact player: R Sai Kishore/Ashok Sharma/Arshad Khan

The stage is set for an enthralling PBKS vs GT clash. Which side are you cheering for? Comment and tell us and if you still haven't purchased your IPL jerseys, what are you waiting for? Buy them now.