“It’s a new season, and we start from ball one again,” said Shreyas Iyer, captain of Punjab Kings (PBKS), as his team prepared to face Gujarat Titans (GT) in their opening match of the IPL 2026 season.

PBKS won the toss and elected to field first, a decision influenced by Iyer’s belief in the favourable conditions at Mullanpur. He noted that the pitch appeared hard and fast, which should aid batting.

GT skipper Shubman Gill expressed satisfaction with the decision to bat first, stating, “This year is about pushing that extra five per cent.” His team featured notable overseas players, including Jos Buttler, Glenn Phillips, Rashid Khan, and Kagiso Rabada.

Both teams had successful campaigns last year, with GT reaching the playoffs but falling to the Mumbai Indians in the Eliminator, while PBKS was eliminated by Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the final.

The Mullanpur venue is known for its relatively larger boundaries compared to other IPL grounds, which could influence the match dynamics.

Last season, PBKS struggled at home, managing only two wins, one of which was against GT. This history adds pressure on them to perform well in front of their home crowd.

In the context of the match, the performance of overseas players like Kagiso Rabada will be crucial for GT as they aim to secure a strong start to the season.

As the teams take the field, fans will be eager to see how the strategies unfold and whether PBKS can capitalize on their home advantage.

Details remain unconfirmed regarding the final line-ups as both teams finalize their strategies ahead of the match.

The IPL season is expected to bring exciting cricket, with both teams looking to establish momentum early in the tournament.