Last Updated on 3 weeks ago by Charbel Coorey

The 4th match of IPL 2026 has the makings of a classic. Reigning finalists Punjab Kings (PBKS) are one of the powerhouse teams this season, retaining the strong core that served them well in 2025. Under the leadership of Ricky Ponting and Shreyas Iyer, they’ll be looking to make a strong start in a campaign where expectations are high.

Their first task is against the capable Gujarat Titans (GT). GT sat top of the table for most of the 2025 campaign before falling away late and losing in the Eliminator. They also have a settled core, with plenty of experience and know-how in their lineup.

So, where will this match be decided? For GT, Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan is a prolific opening partnership in terms of runs, but can they blow attacks away? Can Jos Buttler rediscover his best form after a terrible T20 World Cup? How will the middle order perform and can GT’s attack limit PBKS at the death?

For PBKS, how well will the all-rounders perform? Does Azmatullah Omarzai or Cooper Connolly get first crack? Also, in Marco Jansen, Arshdeep Singh and Xavier Bartlett, PBKS have excellent powerplay options, so their battle against the GT top order is one to watch.

IPL 2026 4th Match: PBKS vs GT Possible Playing XIIs

Punjab Kings: 1. Priyansh Arya, 2. Prabhsimran Singh (wk), 3. Shreyas Iyer (c), 4. Nehal Wadhera, 5. Azmatullah Omarzai (OS), 6. Marcus Stoinis (OS), 7. Shashank Singh, 8. Marco Jansen (OS), 9. Harpreet Brar, 10. Arshdeep Singh, 11. Xavier Bartlett (OS), 12. Yuzvendra Chahal

Gujarat Titans: 1. Shubman Gill (c), 2. Sai Sudharsan, 3. Jos Buttler (OS, wk), 4. Washington Sundar, 5. Shahrukh Khan, 6. Jason Holder (OS), 7. Rahul Tewatia, 8. Rashid Khan (OS), 9. Sai Kishore, 10. Kagiso Rabada (OS), 11. Prasidh Krishna, 12. Mohammed Siraj

Maharaja Yadavindra Singh – Mullanpur Cricket Stadium New Chandigarh

Scores were mixed on this ground in IPL 2025. While there were three 200+ scores, there were also totals of 111 and 101. The overall average first innings score was 170.17. Teams batting first won four of the six matches, including all three times when a 200+ total was scored.

Pace bowlers took 44 wickets at an average of 29.61 and economy rate of 9.50 here last season. Spinners fared very well, taking 29 wickets at an average of 19.79 and economy of 7.81.

A partly cloudy evening is forecast with a top of around 20 degrees at match time. No rain is expected.

Insights that could shape how the PBKS vs GT match could transpire

Below are some interesting insights that could decide this contest, according to SPODA AI data.

• PBKS and GT have similar numbers in the batting powerplay in the last five games. PBKS are averaging 61.8 runs in the first six overs; GT are slightly behind with 59.8.
• PBKS are well ahead in terms of wickets in the powerplay in the last five matches. Shreyas Iyer’s team have taken eight wickets in this period compared to GT’s four.
• Sai Sudharsan has a 77.08% chance of making a 20+ score. Priyansh Arya has the next-highest probability with 65.22%.
• Kagiso Rabada is considered the likeliest to take 2+ wickets (41.41% chance).

For more such information, check out SPODA AI below.

Fantasy Cricket Tips for PBKS vs GT: Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

Top wicketkeeper picks:

• Jos Buttler had a bad T20 World Cup campaign, but his class and IPL record is worth backing from a fantasy cricket perspective. He hit 54 (33) against PBKS last season.
• Prabhsimran Singh scored the eighth-most runs in IPL 2025 (549) at a strike rate of 160.52. However, he has a modest record at this ground in the IPL: 10 inns, 173 runs, avg. 17.3, SR 145.4).

Key batting picks:

• Shreyas Iyer smashed 97 off 42 balls against GT in IPL 2025. Shreyas was one of six players to score 600+ runs in IPL 2026. He had the best strike rate (175.07).
• Sai Sudharsan win the Orange Cap in 2025, hitting seven 50+ scores in 15 innings. His matchup against Arshdeep Singh (see below) is key.
• Shubman Gill is a prolific scorer in the IPL. Since the start of 2022, Gill has scored 2,449 IPL runs at an average of 46.2 and strike rate of 149.8. This includes an outstanding record against PBKS: 6 inns, 329 runs, avg. 65.8, SR 160.5.

Top all-rounder picks:

• Jos Buttler has been dismissed 11 times by left-arm pace in all T20s since the start of 2025 (avg. 22). This represents an opportunity for Marco Jansen.
• Jason Holder is coming off a strong T20 World Cup and is an important finisher with the bat for GT along with his bowling capabilities.

Key bowler picks:

• Arshdeep Singh bowls in the crunch overs and is a genuine wicket-taker in the powerplay and death periods. He has a strong record against Sai Sudharsan in the IPL (32 balls, 37 runs, two wickets).
• Mohammed Siraj has a fine record against Shreyas Iyer in the IPL (see below). Since 2021, Siraj has taken 11 wickets in eight matches against PBKS (avg. 26.9, SR 15.8).

Other Players to Consider for your Fantasy Cricket Teams

• Prasidh Krishna, the Purple Cap winner in 2025, is selected in 16.81% of Dream11 teams. Prasidh struggled against PBKS last season (3-0-41-0) but he is a wicket-taker.
• Azmatullah Omarzai could bat in the top five and deliver overs with the new ball. His all-round value makes him an attractive proposition in Dream11.
• Priyansh Arya is a gamechanger. He smashed 47 (23) against GT in IPL 2025. Also, his 475 runs last season came at a strike rate of 179.24.
• Sai Kishore took the second-most wickets for GT last season (19), including 3/30 against PBKS.
• Yuzvendra Chahal has enjoyed success against Shubman Gill (51 balls, 62 runs, three wickets) and Jos Buttler (32 balls, 29 runs, one wicket) in the IPL.
• Nehal Wadhera is selected in less than 10% of Dream11 teams. He averaged 61.3 with a strike rate of 152.1 against spin in IPL 2025.

For predictive analysis that could help guide you in creating your fantasy cricket teams, check out SPODA AI (AI Cricket Prediction & Match Analysis Tool) below. If you sign up, you will receive 3 FREE match passes to start.

Other Stats and Important Matchups

• Head-to-head: Matches 6, PBKS 3, GT 3.
• Rashid Khan had a poor season in IPL 2025: 15 inns, 9 wickets, avg. 57.11, econ. 9.34.
• Kagiso Rabada vs. Shreyas Iyer in the IPL: 18 balls, 38 runs, no wickets.
• Rashid Khan vs. Shreyas Iyer in the IPL: 86 balls, 100 runs, two wickets.
• Mohammed Siraj vs. Shreyas Iyer in the IPL: 35 balls, 46 runs, two wickets.
• Arshdeep Singh vs. Shubman Gill: 52 balls, 65 runs, one wicket.
• Arshdeep Singh vs. Jos Buttler in all T20s: 60 balls, 100 runs, one wicket.

IPL 2026 4th Match: PBKS vs GT Dream11 Prediction Today

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Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time. Use the stats and commentary in this article, as well as your own instincts, to create your teams.

Option 1:

Option 2:

IPL 2026 4th Match: PBKS vs GT Match Prediction Today – Who will win?

Both teams are capable of producing a strong performance, but PBKS have that extra depth with bat and ball that can get them over the line here. PBKS to win.

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