Last Updated on 4 weeks by Charbel Coorey

The 5th match of the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) has the makings of a classic. Gujarat Titans (GT) and Punjab Kings (PBKS), two genuine top four contenders, do battle in what promises to be an exciting clash.

PBKS are one of the most talked about teams this season. Ricky Ponting and Shreyas Iyer as a leadership duo lifts hopes of a first playoffs’ appearance since 2014. In addition, PBKS have an exciting squad, with their possible XII capable of challenging any team in the league.

GT also have their positives. Their top three of Shubman Gill, Jos Buttler and Sai Sudharsan can be prolific. They have plenty of experience in the bowling department too, with Mohammed Siraj, Kagiso Rabada and Prasidh Krishna expected to form the pace attack. However, whether the middle order and death bowling can deliver the goods remains to be seen.

In this article, we will look at the possible XIIs, Ahmedabad pitch report, fantasy tips and Dream11 prediction for the 5th match of IPL 2025.

IPL 2025 5th Match: GT vs PBKS Possible Playing XIIs

Glenn Phillips and Shahrukh Khan are expected to be key cogs in the middle order. GT could lineup with three strong spin options in Rashid Khan, R Sai Kishore and Washington Sundar.

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

PBKS have excellent options right throughout their squad. Class players including Azmatullah Omarzai and Marco Jansen may miss out on selection.

Punjab Kings: 1. Prabhsimran Singh (wk), 2. Josh Inglis (OS), 3. Shreyas Iyer (c), 4. Glenn Maxwell (OS), 5. Nehal Wadhera, 6. Marcus Stoinis (OS), 7. Shashank Singh, 8. Harpreet Brar, 9. Lockie Ferguson/Marco Jansen (OS), 10. Arshdeep Singh, 11. Yuzvendra Chahal, 12. Kuldeep Sen

Narendra Modi Stadium Ahmedabad Pitch Report and Weather

The average first innings score at Ahmedabad in IPL 2024 was 172.5. Scores ranged from as low as 89 to as high at 231. The chasing team won six of eight games.

Expect a surface that has some assistance for the pace bowlers upfront. Given the conditions at Ahmedabad and favour towards chasing teams, expect the captain who wins the toss to bowl first.

GT vs PBKS Fantasy Cricket Tips – Top Picks/Key Players to Watch

Top wicket-keeper picks:

• Jos Buttler has had a tricky period as England captain, but expect him to play with total freedom in the IPL. Buttler has a great record in T20s on this ground: 8 inns, 317 runs, avg. 52.83, SR 146.08.

Key batter picks:

• Shubman Gill at Ahmedabad often means big runs. He has struck 1,079 runs in 19 T20s on this ground at an average of 71.93 and strike rate of 163.24.
• Gill has also made three 50+ scores in five innings for GT against PBKS.
• Sai Sudharsan was GT’s highest run-scorer last season with 527 at an average of 47.90 and strike rate of 141.28. He also has four 30+ scores in five innings vs PBKS.
• Talking about in form players, Shreyas Iyer is certainly in that list. He was excellent in the recent Champions Trophy, and averages 59.67 with a strike rate of 167.29 in five T20s at Ahmedabad.

Top all-rounder picks:

• Glenn Phillips can contribute in all three facets of the game, although his bowling opportunity may be limited given PBKS have a plethora of right-handers. He is in superb form with the bat and fields in hotspot positions, which often means fantasy points.
• Glenn Maxwell had a season to forget in IPL 2024, but always has it in him to produce the goods. GT have some left-handers Maxwell could target with his offspin and will likely bat at four.

Key bowler picks:

• Rashid Khan is almost always a factor with the ball. He can also contribute with the bat. Rashid has good head-to-head numbers against PBKS’ middle order players including Shreyas Iyer (77 balls, 83 runs, two wickets), Glenn Maxwell (71 balls, 77 runs, three wickets) and Marcus Stoinis (61 balls, 64 runs, five wickets).
• Arshdeep Singh is a genuine wicket-taker and always in the conversation for the Purple Cap. He has taken just three wickets in five matches against GT so far, but his wicket-taking potential is immense as he bowls in the crunch overs.
• Yuzvendra Chahal is one of the IPL greats. Since the start of 2022, Chahal has taken 47 wickets between overs 7-16 at a strike rate of 18.4. He will look to target GT’s middle order here.
• Chahal also has excellent numbers against Shubman Gill in the IPL: 51 balls, 62 runs, three wickets.

Other Players to Consider for your Fantasy Cricket Teams

• Kagiso Rabada will bowl in the crunch overs given the makeup of the GT attack. He has good numbers against Maxwell in all T20s: 30 balls, 41 runs, three wickets.
• Josh Inglis is expected to open for PBKS. Also, he is in excellent form after hitting a century in the recent Champions Trophy. Definitely worth a try in your Dream11 teams.
• Prabhsimran Singh showed glimpses of his best last season, but averaged just 23.85 in the end. His strike rate of 156.80 in IPL 2024 makes him a player to watch a potential pick in Dream11.
• Marcus Stoinis is a bowling option in the powerplay and will be an important finisher for PBKS. Fantasy points potential.
• Lockie Ferguson is a key bowler for PBKS at the death, which can bring about wicket-taking opportunities. Marco Jansen is also a terrific powerplay bowler and excellent Dream11 pick if he’s selected over Ferguson.

Other Stats and Important Matchups

• Head-to-head: Matches 5, GT 3, PBKS 2.
• Jos Buttler vs Arshdeep Singh in all T20s: 46 balls, 69 runs, one dismissal.
• Jos Buttler vs Kagiso Rabada in all T20s: 72 balls, 109 runs, two dismissals.
• Shubman Gill vs Arshdeep Singh in all T20s: 51 balls, 64 runs, one dismissal.
• Shreyas Iyer vs Mohammed Siraj in the IPL: 33 balls, 39 runs, two dismissals.
• Shreyas Iyer vs Washington Sundar in the IPL: 24 balls, 35 runs, two dismissals.
• Shahank Singh smashed 61 off 29 against GT on this ground last season in a wonderful display of finishing.

IPL 2025 5th Match: GT vs PBKS Dream11 Prediction

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 2025 5th Match: GT vs PBKS Match Prediction – Who will win?

Chasing team to win? Perhaps. However, I am confident of PBKS winning this clash regardless.