Last year’s finalists Punjab Kings will look to go one better this year as they open their IPL 2026 campaign against the ever-consistent Gujarat Titans New International Cricket Stadium, New Chandigarh on Tuesday. India’s white-ball mainstays Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer will headline a high-profile IPL 2026 opener, with both captains carrying added motivation to prove their credentials in the shortest format.Punjab Kings won’t need reminding of what their captain brings to the table. Shreyas Iyer, last year, scored 604 runs at a strike-rate north of 175, the best among the tournament’s top 10 run-getters. But PBKS will need to ensure the rest of the batting fires with him. Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya were one of last season’s most destructive opening partnerships – 1,024 runs together at a strike-rate of nearly 169. Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh and Suryansh Shedge give the middle order firepower. Australia’s Cooper Connolly is primed to come in as the new No. 3, replacing Josh Inglis, though Cricket Australia has asked him to avoid bowling while his back heals.Since their title-winning debut in 2022, the Gujarat Titans have built a reputation for consistency, reaching the playoffs regularly. They enter the new season with a settled core, having retained the bulk of their squad, and will once again rely heavily on their strong top order.The opening combination of Gill and Sai Sudharsan remains a key pillar. Sudharsan, last season’s leading run-getter with 759 runs, returns after recovering from a rib injury. His recent domestic form, including a century and multiple half-centuries, suggests he could pick up where he left off.Beyond the top order, Gujarat also have depth in reserve. Young wicketkeeper-batter Kumar Kushagra has emerged as a promising option, boasting impressive numbers in domestic T20 cricket with a strike rate above 160. His presence offers flexibility, particularly if the middle order comes under pressure.VENUE: New International Cricket Stadium, New Chandigarh TIME: 7: 30 PM IST
PBKS vs GT Squads:
Punjab Kings: Shreyas Iyer (c), Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh (wicketkeeper), Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Azmatullah Omarzai, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal, Harpreet Brar, Suryansh Shedge, Vishnu Vinod (wicketkeeper), Xavier Bartlett, Yash Thakur, Mitchell Owen, Harnoor Singh, Musheer Khan, Pyla Avinash, Marco Jansen, Lockie Ferguson, Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Pravin Dubey, Vishal NishadGujarat Titans: Shubman Gill (c), Jos Buttler (wicketkeeper), Kumar Kushagra, Glenn Phillips, Rashid Khan, Manav Suthar, Nishant Sindhu, Washington Sundar, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Kagiso Rabada, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore, Jayant Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Ashok Sharma, Jason Holder, Tom Banton, Luke Wood, Sai Sudharsan, Rahul Tewatia, Arshad Khan, Anuj Rawat, Kulwant Khejroliya, Gurnoor Brar, M Shahrukh Khan
PBKS vs GT Predicted Playing XI:
Punjab Kings: Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Priyansh Arya, Cooper Connolly, Shreyas Iyer (c), Marcus Stoinis, Shashank Singh, Azmatullah Omarzai, Harpreet Brar, Marco Jansen, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal. Impact Player: Nehal WadheraGujarat Titans: Shubman Gill (c), Sai Sudharsan, Jos Buttler (wk), Glenn Phillips, Washington Sundar, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, R Sai Kishore, Jason Holder, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna. Impact Player: Kagiso Rabada
PBKS vs GT Head-to-Head:
| Matches Played | 6 |
| PBKS Won | 3 |
| GT Won | 3 |
| No Result | 0 |
PBKS vs GT Last Seven Matches:
| Result | Margin | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| PBKS won | 11 runs | Ahmedabad | 25th Mar 2025 |
| GT won | 3 wickets | New Chandigarh | 21st Apr 2024 |
| PBKS won | 3 wickets | Ahmedabad | 4th Apr 2024 |
| GT won | 6 wickets | Mohali | 13th Apr 2023 |
| PBKS won | 8 wickets | DY Patil | 3rd May 2022 |
| GT won | 6 wickets | Brabourne | 8th Apr 2022 |
PBKS vs GT Pitch Report:
The PBKS vs GT pitch report suggests that the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Stadium in New Chandigarh will provide a balanced surface. Scores in the range of 180 to 200 are expected, indicating a good batting track. At the same time, pacers are likely to get some early movement, which could make the powerplay phase crucial. Dew is expected to play a major role later in the match, especially during the second innings.
PBKS vs GT Match Weather Forecast :
The PBKS vs GT weather forecast looks ideal for a full game of cricket in IPL 2026. There is no rain predicted for the match in Chandigarh, and temperatures are expected to hover around 28°C. The evening conditions should remain pleasant for players and fans alike. However, dew is likely to influence the second innings, which means teams winning the toss may prefer to chase in this PBKS vs GT today match.
PBKS vs GT Match Prediction:
Punjab Kings and Gujarat Titans head into this clash after revamping their squads following inconsistent campaigns last season. Punjab will look to maximise their home advantage, relying on a more settled core to deliver consistency. Gujarat, with a balanced mix of youth and experience, will depend on their proven match-winners to step up in key moments. Pitch and weather conditions could play a crucial role in determining the outcome. Historically, contests between the two sides have been closely fought, reflecting their evenly matched nature. With both teams in transition and eager to build momentum, this contest appears finely poised and difficult to predict.
