 "GT vs PBKS will also be a battle between two top spinners in Rashid Khan and Yuzvendra Chahal. X/GujaratTitans")
Just like the last season, Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Gujarat Titans (GT) begin their Indian Premier League (IPL) campaign against each other in 2026 as well. This time, though, it will be the Kings who will be hosting the Titans at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh.
Follow LIVE | PBKS vs GT IPL 2026 match LIVE Score
PBKS will once again be led by Shreyas Iyer, who will want to win the title this season after finishing as runner-up last time. GT, under Shubman Gill’s leadership, will try to maintain their consistent run in IPL and will be pushing for another title. Both sides have also largely retained their core with minor additions and releases.
Last year, PBKS defeated GT in a close game. Check out the predicted Playing XIs for both teams and what to expect from the PBKS vs GT, IPL 2026 clash.
RR vs CSK, IPL 2026: Match Prediction
PBKS vs GT Winner Prediction: Gujarat Titans
Both the Punjab and Gujarat teams are equally matched on paper, with mostly nothing to separate them. PBKS have a stronger batting line-up, but GT level the gap with their stacked bowling attack.
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Iyer has an inexperienced batting line-up at his disposal, with him being the linchpin of the side. He will need youngsters like Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh and Nehal Wadhera to bat like they did last season. Marcus Stoinis and Shashank Singh add further firepower to the team at the death, with Marco Jansen providing more depth.
The bowling lacks the pace of Lockie Ferguson, who is missing the early part of the season but still has a lot of teeth. Jansen and Arshdeep Singh are genuine match-winners and Yuzvendra Chahal is the most successful bowler in the league.
GT’s top order of Gill, Sai Sudharsan and Jos Buttler was the best in the league last season, but with Buttler being out of form, things can go wrong here. This is where the form of Washington Sundar and Glenn Phillips will be crucial in the middle order.
Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna and Kagiso Rabada form a threatening pace trio for them, while Rashid Khan and R Sai Kishore make up a good spin attack.
Overall, the bowling attack of GT might just help them pip PBKS, who have an inexperienced batting line-up.
What to expect from PBKS vs GT match?
After three one-sided games to start the tournament, expect a tight game in New Chandigarh. Both teams are evenly matched and have the batting firepower to match each other on a flat track. However, if the track assists pace bowling, like it did last year in a few games, GT have a more rounded fast bowling attack and will be tough to beat.
PBKS vs GT Predicted Playing XI
PBKS: Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Cooper Connolly, Shreyas Iyer (c), Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen, Harpreet Brar/Vijaykumar Vyshak, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal, Xavier Bartlett/Azmatullah Omarzai/Ben Dwarshius (IP)
GT: Shubman Gill (c), Sai Sudharsan, Jos Buttler (wk), Washington Sundar, Glenn Phillips, Shahrukh Khan, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, R Sai Kishore (IP)