The Punjab Kings (PBKS) will face the Gujarat Titans (GT) in Match 4 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh on Tuesday, March 31.
Punjab Kings enter the 2026 season after a strong performance in 2025, where they reached the finals for the first time since 2014. They finished at the top of the league table last year but lost to the Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Coach Ricky Ponting and captain Shreyas Iyer have assembled a balanced team with various batting and bowling options, ensuring depth in every position. They are managing well amid injury concerns, though they will be without Lockie Ferguson, who is on paternity leave.
Here is PBKS’ strongest predicted XI vs GT, Match 4, IPL 2026:
Top Order: Prabhsimran Singh, Priyansh Arya, Cooper Connolly
Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh (Source: Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images)
Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya formed a successful opening partnership in the 2025 season, helping set strong foundations for the middle order. They scored 532 runs in 17 innings at over 175 runs per 100 balls. They are expected to continue their good form, with Prabhsimran also taking on the wicketkeeping duties.
Cooper Connolly will bat at number 3, as confirmed by coach Ricky Ponting. The talented Australian all-rounder recently performed well in the Big Bash League with the Perth Scorchers. While his career strike rate is around 130, his potential makes him a player to watch.
Middle order: Shreyas Iyer (capt), Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis
Shreyas Iyer was a key player for Punjab last season, finishing with 604 runs—the highest for Punjab Kings in 2025. He will play a pivotal role coming in at number 4, known for his ability to handle spin bowlers effectively.
Iyer will be joined by Nehal Wadhera, who stabilizes the middle order, and Shashank Singh, recognized for his finishing abilities. Marcus Stoinis will also play in a revamped role as a finisher, known for his powerful hitting towards the game’s end.
Bowlers: Marco Jansen, Harpreet Brar, Ben Dwarshius, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal (Impact Player)
Punjab’s bowling attack was formidable last season, led by Arshdeep Singh and Marco Jansen. They will be supported by the experienced Ben Dwarshius. Harpreet Brar is expected to add spin to the lineup with his economical bowling.
Jansen can contribute with the bat as well, making him a valuable asset. Both Dwarshius and Brar are capable of hitting long shots. Yuzvendra Chahal returns as the lead spinner, having taken 16 wickets in 14 matches last season. His best performance came against the Kolkata Knight Riders, where he took 4 wickets for 28 runs, showcasing his ability to deliver at crucial moments.
Punjab Kings Predicted Playing XI
Prabhsimran Singh (WK), Priyansh Arya, Cooper Connolly, Shreyas Iyer (C), Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen, Harpreet Brar, Ben Dwarshius, Arshdeep Singh
Impact Player: Yuzvendra Chahal.