In the fourth match of the Indian Premier League, Punjab Kings are set to take on Gujarat Titans in Mullanpur on Tuesday. For both sides, this clash is an opportunity to get the things off to a great start after the last season that ended in disappointment for both sides. PBKS head into the new season with renewed vigour after coming so close to glory last year. In the last season, they lost in the final, which was a bitter pill to swallow. Now, they begin their journey at their home venue, and the Kings will be determined to turn things around. Standing in their way are the Titans, who have been enormously consistent, but they carry the sting of a playoff exit that cut short another strong season last year.

Under the leadership of Shreyas Iyer and Ricky Ponting, Punjab have undergone a clear transformation, bringing stability and long-term vision. Their evolution is most visible at the top of the order, where young talents like Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh have taken charge. Their aggressive intent during the powerplay has bolstered their batting. Arya, in particular, emerged as a standout performer last season, delivering consistent runs and showcasing his ability to dominate at Mullanpur with a memorable century. The middle order provides balance and composure. Shashank Singh has developed into a reliable finisher, while Nehal Wadhera offers adaptability during the crucial middle overs.

One of the boldest moves by the franchise ahead of the 2026 season was to move on from established overseas names, including Glenn Maxwell. His underwhelming performances last year prompted a rethink, that also saw exits of players like Aaron Hardie and Josh Inglis. The focus has shifted toward building a more balanced and dependable squad. Despite these departures, Punjab still have international firepower. Marcus Stoinis brings experience and versatility, while Azmatullah Omarzai is a proper all-round option.

New additions like Cooper Connolly and Ben Dwarshuis add stability in the lower order. On the other hand, Gujarat continue to rise under the captaincy of Shubman Gill and head coach Ashish Nehra. Since their debut season title win, the Titans have remained one of the most competitive teams in the league. They have batting power with the availability of trio of Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill, and Jos Buttler. 

Head-to-head

Matches - 6

GT won - 3

PBKS won - 3

Punjab Kings possible XII: Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Cooper Connolly, Shreyas Iyer (c), Marcus Stoinis, Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Marco Jansen, Azmatullah Omarzai, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal, Vijaykumar Vyshak

Gujarat Titans possible XII: Shubman Gill (c), Sai Sudharsan, Jos Buttler (wk), Washington Sundar, Glenn Phillips, M Shahrukh Khan, Rahul Tewatia, Kagiso Rabada, Rashid Khan, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj, Sai Kishore