IPL 2026: PBKS vs GT, Match 4 - Top player battles to watch out for

Punjab Kings (PBKS) take on Gujarat Titans (GT) in their opening game of the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) season at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, New Chandigarh, on Tuesday, March 31. Both sides will be looking to build on their excellent campaigns last time around to go one step better in 2026.

PBKS reached the IPL final in 2025, only for them to lose to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). GT, on the other hand, lost in the first Eliminator game against the Mumbai Indians (MI).

Both sides consist of talented players in both the batting and bowling departments, giving fans plenty to look out for during their meeting on Tuesday evening. These include matchups between former teammates from a previous franchise and two current India teammates. 

Here are 3 player battles for PBKS vs GT, Match 4 of IPL 2026:

3. Jos Buttler vs Yuzvendra Chahal

These two former Rajasthan Royals teammates had a great understanding and relationship during their spell in Jaipur. Tuesday, however, will pit these two close friends against each other, with both Jos Buttler and Yuzvendra Chahal having lots to play for on a personal level.

Buttler’s form heading into the 2026 IPL season has been a worry, scoring just 87 runs at the T20 World Cup, while Chahal has fallen way down the pecking order in the eyes of the international selectors, having last played for India in 2023.

Buttler has managed to score just 29 runs against Chahal from 31 deliveries whilst falling to the 35-year-old spinner just once in nine outings.

2. Mohammad Siraj vs Shreyas Iyer

Shreyas Iyer against Mohammand Siraj is one of the most closely fought battles to look forward to ahead of PBKS’s game against GT on Tuesday. The duo have faced off against one another on 10 occasions in the history of the IPL.

Iyer has scored 46 runs against his India teammate at a strike-rate of 131.42. Siraj, however, has managed to get the right-hand batter’s wicket twice.

The PBKS skipper registered his highest score at the 2025 IPL against GT, scoring an unbeaten 97 off 42 balls to take his side to an 11-run victory.

1. Shubman Gill vs Arshdeep Singh

In a battle that will dominate the start of the proceedings, Shubman Gill’s battle against Arshdeep Singh is one to watch out for. Arshdeep is excellent with the new ball, causing trouble to the batters through his control and swing. Gill, meanwhile, likes to take on the new ball and score big in the powerplay. 

The GT captain has a good track record against Arshdeep, having been dismissed by the left-arm seamer just once in the IPL. He has gone on to score 65 runs from 52 balls against Arshdeep.

The 27-year-old did get the better of another GT opener last season, dismissing Gill’s partner Sai Sudharsan at the Narendra Modi Stadium.