PBKS vs GT Match Preview 2026: Probable Playing XI, Pitch Report & Key Players to Watch

Date: March 31, Tuesday

Time: 7:30 PM IST

Venue: Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Chandigarh

The fourth match of IPL 2026 will see Punjab Kings take on Gujarat Titans on March 31 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Chandigarh. The match is scheduled to begin at 7:30 PM IST and promises to be an exciting contest between two well-balanced teams.

Punjab Kings, led by Shreyas Iyer and coached by Ricky Ponting, will be aiming for a strong start after finishing as runners-up in the previous season. On the other hand, Gujarat Titans, captained by Shubman Gill, come into the season with a revamped squad and high expectations.

Head to Head

Total match: 6
PBKS won:- 3
GT won:- 3

Punjab Kings and Gujarat Titans have faced each other six times in IPL history, with both teams winning three matches each. This even record adds more excitement to the contest as both sides look to gain an edge.

Pitch Report

The pitch at the Mullanpur stadium is known to be batting-friendly, with average scores often crossing 170. The surface offers good pace and bounce early in the innings, which can assist fast bowlers. However, as the game progresses, it becomes easier for batters to score freely. Dew is expected to play a crucial role in the second innings, making chasing a preferred option for teams winning the toss.

Match Overview

Punjab Kings will look to continue their momentum from last season under the leadership of Shreyas Iyer. Returning from injury, Iyer will be eager to prove his fitness and form. His leadership record remains impressive, having led teams to IPL finals in recent seasons, including a title win with Kolkata Knight Riders in 2024.

The opening pair of Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh is expected to play a crucial role. Their aggressive batting style was one of Punjab’s biggest strengths last season. The inclusion of Cooper Connolly at number three adds depth, followed by the experienced Iyer in the middle order.

The finishing responsibilities will largely depend on players like Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, and Marco Jansen. Jansen, in particular, has been in excellent form and brings balance with both bat and ball. Punjab’s bowling unit looks strong with Arshdeep Singh leading the pace attack and the addition of Yuzvendra Chahal strengthening the spin department.

Gujarat Titans, meanwhile, will rely heavily on captain Shubman Gill, who will be looking to make a strong comeback after missing out on the T20 World Cup squad. His partnership with Sai Sudharsan at the top has been consistent in previous seasons, although both will aim to improve their recent T20 form.

The middle order, featuring Washington Sundar, Shahrukh Khan, and Rahul Tewatia, provides stability and finishing ability. Gujarat’s biggest strength remains their bowling attack, with Rashid Khan, Mohammed Siraj, Kagiso Rabada, and Prasidh Krishna forming a formidable unit capable of controlling any batting lineup.

Key Players to Watch

• Priyansh Arya (PBKS): A dynamic opener who scored 475 runs last season at an impressive strike rate.
  

• Marco Jansen (PBKS): A key all-rounder contributing with both bat and ball in crucial moments.
  

• Shubman Gill (GT): The captain will be under focus as he looks to regain his T20 form.
  

• Rashid Khan (GT): A match-winner with the ball, especially effective in middle overs.

• Cooper Connolly (PBKS): A promising all-rounder coming off a strong BBL season.
  

Key Battles

The contest between Arshdeep Singh and Shubman Gill in the powerplay could set the tone for the match. Another crucial battle will be between Mohammed Siraj and Shreyas Iyer, especially considering Iyer’s past struggles against short-pitched deliveries. Rashid Khan’s duel against Punjab’s middle order will also be a defining factor.

Probable Playing XI

PBKS	GT
Prabhsimran Singh (WK)	Sai Sudharsan
Shreyas Iyer (C)	Jos Buttler (WK)
Cooper Connolly	Washington Sundar
Nehal Wadhera	Shahrukh Khan
Shashank Singh	Jason Holder
Marcus Stoinis	Rahul Tewatia
Marco Jansen	Rashid Khan
Harpreet Brar	Kagiso Rabada
Ben Dwarshuis	Mohammed Siraj
Arshdeep Singh	Prasidh Krishna