IPL 2026, PBKS vs GT 4th Match Match Preview

Overview: Shreyas and Gill make a T20 comeback

Shreyas Iyer and Shubman Gill, prominent figures in the IPL, are back. Iyer guided two teams to the final in the past two seasons, securing a championship with one. Gill, meanwhile, stands as the top IPL run-scorer since 2020, leading Gujarat Titans (GT) to the knockouts last year after winning the title with them in 2022 and reaching the final as a batsman in 2023.

Despite Iyer’s 604 runs at a 175 strike rate and Gill’s 650 at 155.87 in IPL 2025, both players found themselves out of T20 contention until recently.

Gill’s spot in India’s T20I lineup was usurped by more aggressive batsmen like Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, and even Ishan Kishan, who made an unexpected return. Following IPL 2025, Gill participated in 15 T20Is but couldn’t find his rhythm, not registering a single fifty. Iyer has been absent from T20 cricket since the IPL 2025 final, sidelined by injuries and a crowded Indian middle-order.

While Gill and Iyer’s impressive track records suggest they have little to demonstrate, Punjab Kings (PBKS) and GT will be looking for their respective captains to quickly regain their form and continue their past performance.

Crucial query

Squad updates

Cooper Connolly is slated to occupy the No. 3 batting position for PBKS, with Marcus Stoinis and Marco Jansen confirmed starters. The final international spot will be contested by Azmatullah Omarzai, Ben Dwarshuis, or Xavier Bartlett.

Punjab Kings (likely lineup): 1 Priyansh Arya, 2 Prabhsimran Singh (wk), 3 Cooper Connolly, 4 Shreyas Iyer (capt), 5 Marcus Stoinis, 6 Nehal Wadhera, 7 Shashank Singh, 8 Marco Jansen, 9 Xavier Bartlett/Ben Dwarshuis/Azmatullah Omarzai, 10 Arshdeep Singh, 11 Yuzvendra Chahal, 12 Vijaykumar Vyshak

Given the inclusion of Rashid Khan and Washington Sundar, GT might opt for an additional pace bowler over R Sai Kishore, especially since the New Chandigarh pitch tends to assist seamers. Promising newcomer Ashok Sharma could feature, and Arshad Khan offers a left-arm option for diversity.

Gujarat Titans (likely XI): 1 Shubman Gill (capt), 2 B Sai Sudharsan, 3 Jos Buttler (wk), 4 Washington Sundar, 5 Glenn Phillips, 6 M Shahrukh Khan, 7 Rahul Tewatia, 8 Jason Holder/Kagiso Rabada, 9 Rashid Khan, 10 Prasidh Krishna, 11 Mohammed Siraj, 12 R Sai Kishore/Ashok Sharma/Arshad Khan

Focus area: The opening batsmen of both teams

The partnership of Gill and Sai Sudharsan accumulated 912 runs in IPL 2025, positioning them as only the third pair to cross the 900-run mark in a single season. Gill concluded with 650 runs, while Sai Sudharsan claimed the Orange Cap with 759. Both batsmen maintained strike rates exceeding 155 and were pivotal to GT’s progression to the playoffs. Given GT’s ongoing need for a strong middle-order batsman and Jos Buttler’s recent dip in form, the team might again heavily depend on its opening duo.

Though not reaching the same partnership heights, Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya were instrumental in PBKS’ journey to the IPL final. Their 532 partnership runs established a new record for an uncapped opening pair in a season, with both batsmen scoring over 450 runs at strike rates of 160 or higher. Confident in their robust middle-order support, they are free to attack aggressively from the outset. In 15 out of 17 matches during IPL 2025, either Prabhsimran or Arya surpassed 40 runs, contributing to PBKS’ 11 victories.

These two opening pairs employ distinct strategies, influenced by their team compositions, yet both have proven profoundly effective and could significantly sway the outcome of Tuesday’s match.

Statistics and interesting facts

While Shreyas Iyer enjoyed a remarkable season with PBKS in 2025, his performance at New Chandigarh has been subpar. Across five matches at this venue, he has managed only 27 runs, with a strike rate of 100 and a top score of 10.
During IPL 2025, Prabhsimran encountered left-arm spin in five innings, resulting in three dismissals and a modest strike rate of 104.
GT’s opening batsmen display divergent statistics when facing PBKS leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal. Gill’s strike rate against Chahal is a mere 122, having been dismissed by him three times, whereas Sai Sudharsan has accumulated 40 runs from 17 deliveries without being dismissed.

Ground and weather report

The game is scheduled for pitch No. 4, identical to the one utilized for PBKS’ match versus Chennai Super Kings last year, where PBKS posted a formidable 219 thanks to an Arya century. CSK then scored 201 in their chase. PBKS head coach Ricky Ponting anticipates yet another match with a large total.

Statements

“Our cricket last season was strong enough for a table-topping finish, but that success offers no guarantees for the upcoming season. Last year, I frequently emphasized the unique and bold style of cricket we cultivated, and we must rebuild that approach from the beginning”
Punjab Kings head coach Ricky Ponting

“Ricky Ponting was among the most diligent cricketers I encountered in my career. And Sai Sudharsan’s commitment to preparation is likely double what Ricky’s ever was.”
Gujarat Titans batting coach Matthew Hayden commenting on the dedication of contemporary cricketers.

Upcoming three matches

Punjab Kings

April 3: against Chennai Super Kings in Chennai
April 6: against Kolkata Knight Riders in Kolkata
April 11: against Sunrisers Hyderabad in New Chandigarh

Gujarat Titans

April 4: against Rajasthan Royals in Ahmedabad
April 8: against Delhi Capitals in New Delhi
April 12: against Lucknow Super Giants in Lucknow

Abhimanyu Bose serves as a sub-editor for ESPNcricinfo