GT vs PBKS Preview – Gujarat and Punjab eye a winning start
The Gujarat Titans (GT) will take on Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Match 5 of the ongoing IPL 2025 at the gigantic Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, on March 25. With a fresh season, both teams have a point to prove.
The hosting team, after finishing eighth last season, is looking to do wonders under Shubman Gill. The franchise, which made back-to-back final appearances in 2022 and 2023 under Hardik Pandya, is now fully backing Gill as its long-term leader. With new signings like Jos Buttler, Mohammed Siraj, and Kagiso Rabada, the side has built a strong squad. While their bowling attack, which will feature Rashid Khan, Rabada, and Siraj, is one of the clinical line-ups, their top-order over-reliance on Gill, Buttler, and Sai Sudharsan may be a concern.
On the other hand, PBKS, under new captain Shreyas Iyer, has undergone a complete revamp. They spent INR 26.75 crore on Iyer and brought back Arshdeep Singh, along with securing Yuzvendra Chahal’s services. With a strong batting lineup comprising Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, and Josh Inglis, PBKS will be eyeing a long-awaited playoff entry. However, concerns are over the pace attack’s credibility and the need for a reliable opener.
Pitch Report
The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad is one of the most iconic cricket venues and is expected to be balanced for both batters and bowlers. The surface is often dry and hard and provides bounce due to its five-layered red soil. However, as the match progresses, the pitch slows down, bringing spinners into play. The average first-innings score has been around 188, while IPL games have seen winning totals near 175. Pacers enjoy early movement, but spinners dominate in later phases.
Probable Playing XI
Gujarat Titans (GT)
Shubman Gill (C), Jos Buttler (wk), Sai Sudharsan, Glenn Phillips, Rahul Tewatia, Washington Sundar, Rashid Khan, Mohammed Siraj, Sai Kishore, Kagiso Rabada, Prasidh Krishna
Impact Players: Ishant Sharma, M Shahrukh Khan, Anuj Rawat
Punjab Kings (PBKS)
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 Players: Vijaykumar Vyshk, Yash Thakur.
