IPL 2026 continues at full pace, and Match 4 brings us one of the most compelling captaincy stories of the season. India’s white-ball mainstays Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer headline a high-profile IPL 2026 clash in Chandigarh on Tuesday, leading the Gujarat Titans and the Punjab Kings respectively, with both captains carrying added motivation to prove their credentials in the shortest format.
The IPL 2026 match between Punjab Kings and Gujarat Titans is the 4th match of the season, scheduled for March 31, 2026 at 7:30 PM IST at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, New Chandigarh. Punjab Kings enter this match with fresh wounds — they made the IPL 2025 final but went home without the trophy. Gujarat Titans, meanwhile, finished third last season and suffered a defeat against Mumbai Indians in the Eliminator. Both teams desperately need a winning start.
Punjab Kings and Gujarat Titans have faced each other in 6 IPL matches, both teams on an equal level with 3 wins each. It’s perfectly balanced heading into 2026. The PBKS vs GT pitch report today match IPL 2026 will be a crucial factor in how both captains plan their game. Let’s break down everything you need to know.
PBKS vs GT Pitch Report Today Match
Surface Nature and Behaviour
The Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur generally offers a balanced pitch favoring stroke play. Its surface, featuring red soil and grass, is known for good bounce early on, which pacers can exploit. Spinners become more effective as the game progresses.
Known for its batting-friendly nature, the pitch typically offers good support to fast bowlers as well, making it a balanced surface for both departments. This is not a venue where either team can afford to be passive. Fast scoring early and wicket-taking bowling in the powerplay are both very much possible.
Is it Batting or Bowling Friendly?
The pitch will come onto the bat really well. It has a few cracks but there’s a lot of grass to bind it. The key data point that really matters here is the winning score threshold — teams scoring 170 or above batting first have won 9 out of 10 times at this venue, while teams that scored below 170 won none of the four matches where they batted first. In other words: if you bat first, you must cross 170. Anything less and you are almost certainly chasing a loss.
Toss and Dew Factor
The dew factor will play a crucial role in the second innings, making chasing slightly easier under the lights. Both Shreyas Iyer and Shubman Gill are experienced IPL captains. Winning the toss and choosing to bowl first is the logical call — setting a target is a risk on this surface, while chasing with a wet ball and dew-aided conditions is a genuine advantage.
Weather Report Today Match
The temperature will be around 31 to 28 degrees Celsius. The weather in New Chandigarh is expected to be clear with temperatures around 28 degrees Celsius and humidity will be moderate at 45 percent with a very low rain impact.
The weather forecast for Chandigarh is good for this cricket match. There are some chances of rain but a full match is expected. New Chandigarh at the end of March is warm, breezy, and generally excellent for cricket. The mild wind conditions typical of the region mean dew will build gradually — not dramatically — which adds an interesting dynamic to the toss decision without completely dominating the game.
Average Score at This Stadium
The average first-innings total at the ground stands at 167. The highest team total recorded here is 219/6 by Punjab Kings against Chennai Super Kings, while the lowest is 111 all out, also by PBKS, against Gujarat Titans.
That lowest score is a fascinating stat — GT have already bowled PBKS out for 111 at this very ground. They know how to strangle Punjab at Mullanpur. The highest total recorded at the venue is 192/7, scored by Mumbai Indians against Punjab Kings in IPL 2024. The highest successful run-chase at this ground came when Punjab Kings chased down 177 against Delhi Capitals. The lowest total successfully defended is 182/9, achieved by Sunrisers Hyderabad against Punjab Kings.
The trend is very clear — 170–180 would be a par score on this surface. Anything below that and the team batting first is in real trouble.
PBKS vs GT Probable Playing 11
Punjab’s strength lies in their explosive Indian core. Openers Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya were among the most destructive pairs last season, scoring 1,024 runs together at a strike rate of nearly 169. PBKS will be without Lockie Ferguson in the initial matches of the tournament.
For GT, the opening combination of Gill and Sai Sudharsan remains a key pillar. Sudharsan, last season’s leading run-getter with 759 runs, returns after recovering from a rib injury. His recent domestic form, including a century and multiple half-centuries, suggests he could pick up where he left off. The addition of Jos Buttler at No. 3 gives GT genuine X-factor, and Rashid Khan remains one of the most match-winning bowlers in T20 history.
Match Prediction
Punjab Kings hold a slight edge going into this match. Shreyas Iyer has led three different teams to IPL finals — Delhi Capitals in 2020, KKR in their 2024 triumph, and PBKS last season. Despite his consistent performances, Shreyas continues to be overlooked by selectors, giving him enormous motivation.
GT may gain a slight advantage due to their bowling structure, while Punjab Kings will rely on their batting strength and familiarity at home. However, the absence of Lockie Ferguson is a genuine setback for PBKS’s bowling attack. GT’s bowling — Kagiso Rabada, Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and Rashid Khan — is arguably better on paper.
GT enter the new season with a settled core, having retained the bulk of their squad. But PBKS at home, in front of their own crowd, with the pressure of a final defeat in their minds — that’s a dangerous combination.
Conclusion
The PBKS vs GT pitch report today match IPL 2026 points to a well-balanced, competitive evening at Mullanpur. An average first-innings T20 score is around 170–175, suggesting competitive totals are the norm at this ground. Teams crossing 170 have almost always won here — so the first innings is where this game could be decided.
Both captains, Gill and Iyer, carry something to prove. Both are hungry, motivated, and leading quality squads. Punjab Kings hold home advantage and the hunger of a team that came agonisingly close to a title. Gujarat Titans bring the consistency of playoff regulars and one of the best bowling attacks in the tournament.
Either side could win — and that is exactly what makes this one of the most exciting fixtures of the early IPL 2026 season.
FAQs
Q1. Where is the PBKS vs GT IPL 2026 Match 4 being played?
Punjab Kings will play against Gujarat Titans on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh, India. The match starts at 7:30 PM IST.
Q2. Is the Mullanpur pitch batting or bowling friendly?
Known for its batting-friendly nature, the pitch typically offers good support to fast bowlers as well, making it a balanced surface for both departments. Pacers get bounce early, while batters enjoy the true surface in the middle overs.
Q3. What is the average score at Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Stadium in IPL?
The average first-innings total at the ground stands at 167. The highest team total recorded here is 219/6 by Punjab Kings against Chennai Super Kings. A score of 170+ is generally needed to be in a winning position batting first.
Q4. Who are the captains for PBKS and GT in IPL 2026?
Shreyas Iyer is the captain of Punjab Kings and Shubman Gill is the captain of Gujarat Titans in IPL 2026. Both are Indian national team regulars who bring strong leadership experience to their sides.
Q5. Who is predicted to win PBKS vs GT today in IPL 2026?
Punjab Kings hold a slight edge at home — their explosive opening pair of Arya and Prabhsimran, the experience of Shreyas Iyer, and Arshdeep Singh’s world-class bowling make them favourites. However, GT’s settled squad and Rashid Khan’s match-winning potential make this very much a 50-50 contest. The toss winner is likely to have a big say in the final result.
