Punjab Kings (PBKS) are slight favourites to beat Gujarat Titans (GT) in Match 4 of IPL 2026 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur on Tuesday, March 31. Bookmakers price PBKS around 1.82-1.88 odds (implied win probability of ~53-55%).
IPL 2025’s runners-up host the 2022 champions in a contest between two sides with a point to prove. Shreyas Iyer and Shubman Gill, both overlooked for India’s T20I squad, lead their teams with extra motivation. This article covers the odds, predicted XIs, pitch report, weather, head-to-head record, and match prediction.
PBKS vs GT Match Details
Here are the key details for Match 4 of IPL 2026.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Match | PBKS vs GT, 4th Match |
| Tournament | Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 |
| Date | Tuesday, March 31, 2026 |
| Time | 7:30 PM IST |
| Venue | Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur |
| Live Streaming | Star Sports Network / JioHotstar |
PBKS vs GT Betting Odds Comparison
PBKS are slight favourites as the home side. However, the gap is narrow. GT’s superior bowling attack, led by Rashid Khan and Mohammed Siraj, keeps this contest tightly priced.
| Platform | PBKS Win Odds | GT Win Odds | Implied PBKS Win % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stake | 1.88 | 1.95 | ~53% |
| Bet365 | 1.85 | 2.00 | ~54% |
| 1xBet | 1.85 | 2.00 | ~54% |
| Betfair | 1.82 | 2.05 | ~55% |
PBKS sit at roughly 53-55% implied win probability. This is the most evenly priced contest of the IPL 2026 opening week. PBKS have home advantage but a curious weakness: captain Shreyas Iyer has scored just 27 runs in 5 games at Mullanpur .
PBKS vs GT Predicted Playing XIs
Lockie Ferguson misses out for PBKS due to paternity leave. GT have a settled squad with no major injury concerns.
Punjab Kings (PBKS) Predicted XI
Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Cooper Connolly, Shreyas Iyer (c), Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen, Arshdeep Singh, Xavier Bartlett, Yuzvendra Chahal.
Priyansh Arya (475 runs in IPL 2025) and Prabhsimran Singh (549 runs) form one of IPL’s most explosive opening pairs. Head coach Ricky Ponting confirmed Cooper Connolly will bat at No. 3, replacing the traded Jonny Bairstow.
Marco Jansen and Arshdeep Singh provide left-arm pace variety. Yuzvendra Chahal, the highest wicket-taker in IPL history, leads the spin department. Marcus Stoinis adds all-round depth.
Gujarat Titans (GT) Predicted XI
Shubman Gill (c), Sai Sudharsan, Jos Buttler (wk), Washington Sundar, Glenn Phillips, Shahrukh Khan, Rahul Tewatia, Jason Holder, Rashid Khan, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj.
GT’s top three is rock solid. Gill (650 runs) and Sudharsan (759 runs, Orange Cap) scored a combined 912 partnership runs in IPL 2025. Jos Buttler adds explosive power at No. 3 and brings World Cup-winning experience.
The bowling is GT’s real strength. Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna lead the pace attack, while Rashid Khan controls the middle overs. Jason Holder provides all-round balance and death-bowling expertise.
Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Stadium Pitch Report
The Mullanpur Stadium offers a batting-friendly surface. Teams have regularly posted 200+ scores here, and the short boundaries encourage big hitting.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Pitch Behaviour | Batting-friendly with true bounce. Good for stroke-play. |
| Batting Conditions | Excellent. Short boundaries favour big hitting across all phases. |
| Bowling Conditions | Pace bowlers get early assistance. Spinners tend to struggle on this surface. |
| Avg. 1st Innings Score (IPL) | Around 170-190, with 200+ regularly posted |
| Par Score (Expected) | Around 190-200 runs |
| Toss Impact | Teams batting first have won 6 of 11 matches here. Pitch slows in 2nd innings. |
Bat First Or Chase at Mullanpur?
Unlike most IPL venues, Mullanpur actually favours batting first. Teams batting first have won 6 of 11 matches here. The pitch tends to slow down in the second innings, making chasing harder.
However, dew can settle in evening matches, making the ball slippery for bowlers. This creates an interesting toss dilemma: bat first on a fresh pitch, or chase with dew advantage? Both captains could go either way.
Weather Forecast for PBKS vs GT
The weather in Mullanpur looks ideal for a full, uninterrupted match.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Temperature | Around 28-31°C (warm) |
| Weather | Partly cloudy, clearing at night |
| Rain Probability | Only 10% chance of rain |
| Humidity | Moderate (40-50%) |
| Wind | Light winds |
No rain concerns whatsoever for this match. Expect a warm evening that could produce some dew later in the second innings, slightly helping the chasing side.
PBKS vs GT Head-to-Head Record in IPL
This is one of IPL’s most perfectly balanced rivalries. Neither team has a clear edge in the head-to-head numbers.
| Statistic | Result |
|---|---|
| Total IPL Matches Played | 6 |
| PBKS Wins | 3 |
| GT Wins | 3 |
| Win Percentage | 50-50 |
| Last Meeting Result | PBKS won by 11 runs (IPL 2025) |
| GT’s IPL Titles | 1 (2022) |
| PBKS’ Best IPL Finish | Runners-up (2025) |
A Rivalry Still in Its Early Days
GT only entered the IPL in 2022, so this rivalry is still developing. In their debut season, GT won the title and beat PBKS in their only meeting. Since then, results have swung back and forth, with neither side establishing dominance.
The most recent meeting in IPL 2025 saw PBKS win by 11 runs, posting 232/5 and defending it despite GT’s chase effort. That result gave PBKS a confidence boost heading into the 2025 playoffs.
Recent IPL Results Between PBKS and GT
| Season | Winner | Margin |
|---|---|---|
| IPL 2025 | PBKS | 11 runs |
| IPL 2024 (Apr 21) | GT | 3 wickets |
| IPL 2024 (Apr 4) | PBKS | 3 wickets |
| IPL 2023 | GT | 6 wickets |
| IPL 2022 | GT | 6 wickets |
Key Players to Watch
Both sides have players capable of single-handedly winning this match. Here are the ones most likely to have an impact on Tuesday.
| Player | Team | Why They Matter |
|---|---|---|
| Shreyas Iyer | PBKS | 604 runs at SR 175 in IPL 2025. Best spin-hitter in India. However, poor record at Mullanpur (27 runs in 5 games) is a concern. |
| Priyansh Arya | PBKS | 475 runs at SR 160+ in IPL 2025. Hit a century vs CSK at Mullanpur. Explosive powerplay batter. |
| Arshdeep Singh | PBKS | 21 wickets in IPL 2025. India’s best new-ball operator after Bumrah. Powerplay specialist with a lethal yorker. |
| Shubman Gill | GT | 650 runs at SR 155.87 in IPL 2025. IPL’s leading run-scorer since 2020. Captaincy adds responsibility but also focus. |
| Sai Sudharsan | GT | IPL 2025 Orange Cap winner with 759 runs. 912 partnership runs with Gill. Most consistent opener in the tournament. |
| Rashid Khan | GT | Elite leg-spinner who controls middle overs. His economy rate and wicket-taking ability make him GT’s most valuable asset. |
| Mohammed Siraj | GT | India’s pace spearhead. His ability to swing the new ball and bowl at the death makes him a dual-threat. |
Toss Prediction
This is where the Mullanpur toss dilemma comes into play. Teams batting first have won 6 of 11 matches at this venue, suggesting the pitch slows down in the second innings.
However, dew in the evening could make chasing slightly easier. This is genuinely a coin-flip decision. CricketBatPro reports that the toss winner may opt to bat first at Mullanpur, which is unusual compared to most IPL venues where chasing is preferred.
Match Prediction
This is the closest call of the IPL 2026 opening week. The head-to-head is dead even (3-3), and both sides have genuine strengths and weaknesses.
Where PBKS Holds the Edge
Home advantage is a factor, though PBKS have a mixed record at Mullanpur. Their batting lineup is their biggest strength. Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh at the top, Shreyas Iyer in the middle, and Marcus Stoinis as the finisher give PBKS depth at every position.
Marco Jansen and Arshdeep Singh are a strong left-arm pace duo. They can exploit any swing on offer in the powerplay and use their yorkers at the death. Yuzvendra Chahal adds the wicket-taking spin option, even though Mullanpur is not a spin-friendly ground.
Where GT Holds the Edge
GT’s bowling attack is arguably their biggest advantage. Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna with the new ball, Rashid Khan in the middle overs, and Jason Holder at the death form a complete bowling unit. That is a step above PBKS’s bowling options.
Moreover, the Gill-Sudharsan opening partnership is the most productive in IPL recent history. Their 912 partnership runs in 2025 show they understand each other’s game instinctively. Add Jos Buttler at No. 3, and GT’s top three is as strong as any in the tournament.
Key Concerns for Both Teams
PBKS’s concern is their captain’s record at Mullanpur. Shreyas Iyer has scored just 27 runs in 5 innings at this venue, a puzzling stat for such a talented batter. Additionally, without Lockie Ferguson, PBKS’s pace attack loses its express element. Xavier Bartlett is a capable replacement, but not at Ferguson’s level.
GT’s concern is their middle order after the top three. Washington Sundar at No. 4 is unconventional, and Glenn Phillips and Shahrukh Khan are inconsistent finishers. If the top three fails, GT’s batting could collapse quickly. Their reliance on Gill and Sudharsan is both a strength and a vulnerability.
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Final Verdict: PBKS holds Slight Home Advantage And GT Holds Squad’s Strength
Prediction: PBKS hold a razor-thin edge at around 53-55%. Home advantage and a deeper batting lineup give them a slight upper hand.
However, GT’s bowling attack is the best in this match, and their Gill-Sudharsan-Buttler top three can demolish any bowling on their day. If Rashid Khan and Siraj fire, GT can absolutely win this.
Expect a high-scoring contest with a par score around 190-200. This could genuinely go either way, and the toss decision could tip the balance.
