Gujarat Titans (GT) are set to take on Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the fifth match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Tuesday, March 25.
Both teams fell short of a playoff berth last season, finishing in 8th and 9th place, respectively. As the tournament marks its 18th edition, both sides will be eager to turn their fortunes around.
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Gujarat Titans vs Punjab Kings: Preview
A new season brings a fresh start—an approach Punjab Kings seem to embrace every IPL campaign, and 2025 is no exception. Following IPL 2024, they retained only two uncapped Indian players, Prabhsimran Singh and Shashank Singh, while reacquiring Arshdeep Singh and Harpreet Brar at the mega auction in November. With an almost entirely revamped squad and a new head coach in Ricky Ponting, the franchise is once again aiming high.
Gujarat Titans have opted for stability over drastic changes. Shubman Gill continues as captain, Rashid Khan remains their magician, and Rahul Tewatia their go-to finisher. However, they have bolstered their batting with Jos Buttler and overhauled their pace attack, bringing in Kagiso Rabada, Gerald Coetzee, Mohammed Siraj, and Prasidh Krishna. While their middle order appears fragile, this isn’t the first time the Titans have faced such concerns—after all, they defied expectations to win the title in their debut season in 2022.
Like Ricky Ponting, Gill has set a clear objective: “maximise the powerplay.” Last season, the Titans struggled in that phase, managing just 7.41 runs per over—the lowest among all teams. Gill himself needs to step up, as he had the fourth-lowest strike rate (131.08) among batters who faced at least 100 balls in the powerplay during IPL 2024. A more aggressive start won’t just benefit the Titans but could also strengthen Gill’s case for reclaiming his spot in India’s T20I squad.
Every IPL team has undergone changes this season—be it new players, captains, or coaches—courtesy of the mega auction. But Gujarat Titans have experienced an even more significant shift: new ownership. The original promoters, CVC, have handed over control to a new corporate entity. Yet, if you ask Shubman Gill, he’d likely say, “The more things change, the more they stay the same.”
One defining aspect of the Titans under their previous ownership was their hands-off approach. Unlike many other IPL franchises, the former owners stayed behind the scenes, entrusting the team management with full control over cricketing decisions. This lack of interference set GT apart, and as Gill proudly points out, “We have the highest win percentage in the past three years.” Much of that success can be attributed to the stability and autonomy fostered by the franchise’s previous leadership.
“I haven’t had a chance to speak with them, but I think that’s a good thing. If there was something new, I would have had a reason to talk to them. Other than the great players we’ve added, I don’t think much has changed,” said Gujarat Titans skipper Shubman Gill when asked about the new ownership and squad changes ahead of their season opener against Punjab Kings.
With stars like Jos Buttler, Glenn Phillips, Kagiso Rabada, and Mohammed Siraj joining the ranks, the Titans look stronger than ever. Adding Rashid Khan, Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, Shahrukh Khan, and Rahul Tewatia to the mix only solidifies their depth. As one journalist pointed out in the pre-match press conference, GT now faces a “problem of plenty,” boasting a wealth of specialists across batting, bowling, and fielding.
Stability remains one of the Titans’ biggest strengths. With a retained captain and a head coach who has enjoyed an uninterrupted three-year tenure, they are one of the most settled teams in the league. The biggest selection dilemma? Whether to open with Buttler alongside Gill or stick with Sai Sudharsan. While Siraj taking the new ball is a given, the real question is how effective he will be at the death.
Meanwhile, Punjab Kings, now under the leadership of Shreyas Iyer and Ricky Ponting, aim to build their greatest-ever team. “The overall vision is to win the IPL. When I joined the camp in Dharamshala, I told the guys on day one that we’re going to create and become the best Punjab Kings team ever,” declared the former Australia captain.
Ponting is determined to build “the greatest Punjab Kings team,” and on paper, the pieces are in place. Their newly appointed captain, Shreyas Iyer, shares a strong captain-coach history with Ponting from their time at Delhi Capitals and even led Kolkata Knight Riders to the title last season. The middle order gains power with Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis, while Lockie Ferguson and Yuzvendra Chahal bring valuable experience to the bowling attack. However, despite promising lineups in the past, Punjab Kings are still chasing their elusive maiden IPL trophy.
It’s an ambitious target for a Punjab Kings side that looks somewhat thin on batting depth. Beyond Shreyas Iyer, there are no proven stars in the lineup, meaning they will rely on uncapped Shashank Singh to rise to the occasion and hope that Jos Inglis can carry over his form from the Pakistan leg of the Champions Trophy. While Marcus Stoinis and Glenn Maxwell are capable of match-winning performances, their inconsistency remains a concern. Additionally, if Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya open the innings, they would form one of the least experienced opening partnerships in the tournament.
For this Punjab side to truly be considered their greatest ever, the players will need to exceed expectations. On paper, however, Gujarat Titans appear the stronger side heading into Tuesday’s clash.
Gujarat Titans vs Punjab Kings: Head-to-Head
The Titans hold a 3-2 advantage over Punjab, but the visitors emerged victorious in their only previous encounter in Ahmedabad last year.
- Matches Played: 5
- Won by Gujarat Titans: 3
- Won by Punjab Kings: 2
- Tied: 0
- No Result: 0
- First-ever Fixture: April 8, 2022
- Most-recent Fixture: April 21, 2024
Gujarat Titans vs Punjab King: Pitch Report and Weather Conditions
Titans heavily rely on their top four batters, as their lineup appears less formidable beyond that. In an era where 250-plus totals are becoming common, they stand out as one of the few teams still built around their bowling strength. The match is expected to be high-scoring, with the toss unlikely to have a major impact. Despite the new rule allowing a second ball in the second innings to mitigate dew, teams may still prefer to field first. Ultimately, it will be a battle between Gujarat’s specialists and Punjab Kings’ all-rounders.
Gujarat Titans vs Punjab Kings: Team News and Predicted XI
Gujarat Titans – Team News
Titans rely heavily on their top four, with their batting looking less convincing beyond that, at least on paper. In an era dominated by 250-plus totals, they remain one of the few teams built around their bowling strength. There are no reports of injuries or unavailability.
Jos Buttler’s experience and Shubman Gill’s form will be key to Gujarat’s success, both in the league and in Tuesday’s match. Punjab, on the other hand, boast a strong pace attack with Arshdeep Singh, Lockie Ferguson, and Marco Jansen, making the battle against Gujarat’s openers crucial. Meanwhile, Glenn Phillips and Shahrukh Khan will have the tough task of countering Yuzvendra Chahal, the IPL’s most successful spinner.
Gujarat Titans – Predicted XI
- Shubman Gill (capt)
- Jos Buttler (wk)
- Sai Sudharsan
- Glenn Phillips
- Shahrukh Khan
- Washington Sundar
- Rahul Tewatia
- Rashid Khan
- R Sai Kishore
- Kagiso Rabada
- Mohammed Siraj
- Prasidh Krishna
Punjab Kings – Team News
Maxwell, Stoinis, and Marco Jansen are expected to be Punjab Kings’ first-choice overseas players, with Josh Inglis and Azmatullah Omarzai competing for the fourth spot. If Omarzai gets the nod, Priyansh Arya could partner Prabhsimran at the top of the order. All players are available for selection.
With three high-quality all-rounders—Stoinis, Maxwell, and Jansen—alongside a strong bowling attack featuring Arshdeep Singh, Lockie Ferguson, and Yuzvendra Chahal, Punjab have a well-rounded squad suited for all conditions. However, their success will heavily depend on their batsmen delivering consistent performances.
Punjab Kings – Predicted XI
- Prabhsimran Singh
- Josh Inglis (wk)
- Shreyas Iyer (capt)
- Glenn Maxwell
- Nehal Wadhera
- Marcus Stoinis
- Shashank Singh
- Marco Jansen
- Harpreet Brar
- Vijaykumar Vyshak
- Arshdeep Singh
- Yuzvendra Chahal
Gujarat Titans vs Punjab Kings: Players To Watch Out For
Jos Buttler (Gujarat Titans)
Jos Buttler may not have enjoyed much success as England’s white-ball captain in recent years, but his T20 credentials remain as strong as ever. Since the start of 2024, he has averaged nearly 40 with a strike rate close to 150 in the format.
He was also the only batter to score two centuries in IPL 2024. With Titans lacking big names in the middle order, Buttler’s ability to provide quick and sustained starts makes him an ideal choice as their opener.
Glenn Maxwell (Punjab Kings)
Glenn Maxwell returns to PBKS for the third time, hoping to replicate his past success. In 2014, he was the third-highest run-scorer in the league, amassing 552 runs at a blistering strike rate of 187.75.
However, his last stint with the team in 2020 was forgettable, managing just 108 runs in 11 innings without a single six. This time, he arrives on the back of an impressive BBL campaign with Melbourne Stars, where he scored 325 runs at an average of 54.16 and a strike rate of 186.78. PBKS will be counting on him to maintain that form.
Gujarat Titans vs Punjab Kings: Prediction
Scenario 1
- Toss: Gujarat Titans win the toss and bowl
- Powerplay Score: 45-50
- Punjab Kings Total: 190-200
- Match Result: Gujarat Titans win the match
Scenario 2
- Toss: Punjab Kings win the toss and bowl
- Powerplay Score: 50-55
- Gujarat Titans Total: 200-210
- Match Result: Punjab Kings win the match
When and Where To Watch Gujarat Titans vs Punjab Kings LIVE? Broadcast and Streaming Details
The Indian Premier League 2025 clash between Gujarat Titans and Punjab Kings is set to begin at 7:30 PM IST on Tuesday, March 24, at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The match will be broadcast live on the Star Sports network and will also be available for live streaming on JioHotstar for FREE.
Read More: IPL 2025: Gujarat Titans Preview – Squad Analysis of GT And Starting XI
Also Read: IPL 2025: Punjab Kings Preview – Squad Analysis of PBKS And Starting XI
FAQs
When and where will the Gujarat Titans vs Punjab Kings IPL 2025 match take place?
The match will be held on Tuesday, March 25, at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
What is the head-to-head record between Gujarat Titans and Punjab Kings?
Gujarat Titans lead 3-2 in their five encounters, but Punjab won their last meeting in Ahmedabad.
Who are the key players to watch out for in this match?
Jos Buttler and Shubman Gill for Gujarat Titans; Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, and Arshdeep Singh for Punjab Kings.
How does Punjab Kings’ squad shape up for IPL 2025?
PBKS boasts strong all-rounders like Maxwell, Stoinis, and Jansen, with pace options in Arshdeep and Ferguson, while their batting depth remains crucial.
Why is Jos Buttler a key player for Gujarat Titans?
Buttler’s explosive starts are vital for GT, especially with a middle order lacking big names. His recent T20 form—averaging nearly 40 at a 150+ strike rate—makes him a game-changer.
