IPL 2025, Punjab Kings to take on Gujarat Titans: Preview
What's the story
Gujarat Titans will host Punjab Kings in the fifth match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025.
The game will be played at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium on March 25, with both teams looking to make a strong start.
Notably, PBKS are touted as one of the favorites to taste glory this year.
As both teams gear up to open their campaign, let's look at the match preview.
Details
Pitch report and streaming details
The Narendra Modi Stadium has been known for high-scoring matches owing to its batting-friendly surface.
The average first-innings total is around 200, with pacers getting early movement and spinners coming into play as the match progresses.
However, captains may prefer chasing in this match, as the pitch slows down in the second innings.
Star Sports will telecast the match, fans can also live-stream it on the JioHotstar app or website (7:30pm IST).
H2H
Head-to-Head record
Looking at the head-to-head record of Punjab Kings and Gujarat Titans, the toss could be the deciding factor in the upcoming match.
In their last five meetings, Gujarat Titans have won three times while Punjab Kings have won twice.
Notably, all these wins were registered by the team batting second, adding an extra layer of suspense to this much-awaited game.
PBKS
Punjab Kings's squad: A mix of experience and youth
Punjab Kings have a mixed bag of a squad, combining experienced players with exciting youngsters.
Captain Shreyas Iyer will be expected to spearhead the batting order along with Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, and Josh Inglis.
The pace department will be led by Arshdeep Singh and Lockie Ferguson while Yuzvendra Chahal's spin will be key in containing runs in the middle overs.
GT
GT owns solid bowling attack
Though the Titans have a strong top three in skipper Shubman Gill, Jos Buttler, and Sai Sudharsan, their middle order lacks bite.
The spin department is led by Rashid Khan. GT boast a fiery fast-bowling attack spearheaded by Kagiso Rabada.
They also have Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and Gerald Coetzee. Their only concern will be the lack of experienced finishers.
XIs
Here are the probable XIs
GT (Probable playing XI): Shubman Gill (c), Jos Buttler (wk), Sai Sudharsan, Glenn Phillips, Rahul Tewatia, Washington Sundar, Rashid Khan, Mohammed Siraj, Sai Kishore, Kagiso Rabada, Prasidh Krishna.
PBKS (Probable playing XI): Prabhsimran Singh, Josh Inglis (wk), Shreyas Iyer (c), Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Shashank Singh, Nehal Wadhera, Marco Jansen, Harpreet Brar, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal.
Impact subs: Shahrukh Khan and Vijaykumar Vyshk.
Stats
Here are the key performers
As per ESPNcricinfo, Gill's average of 65.12 against PBKS is the highest among batters with at least 500 runs against the franchise.
Rashid's economy of 6.82 is the second-best among bowlers with at least 65 IPL wickets.
Arshdeep Singh had a strong IPL 2024 campaign, taking 19 wickets at 26.58.
Leading Kolkata Knight Riders to the IPL 2024 title, Shreyas Iyer managed 351 runs at a strike rate of 146.86.
Poll
