Revamped Gujarat, Punjab look to begin on the right note

Every IPL team this season has seen changes - new players, new captains, and new coaches - thanks to the mega auction. But Gujarat Titans have had something even bigger: new owners. The original promoter group, CVC, has ceded control to a new corporate entity. But ask Shubman Gill and he would say, 'The more things change, the more they stay the same.'

Until last year, one key difference between Gujarat Titans and other IPL teams was their owners' delegative approach. The former owners remained largely invisible, allowing the team management to run cricketing affairs without interference, a contrast to most other franchises of the league. And when Gill says, "We are the team with the highest win percentage in the past three years," it is largely because of the hands-off approach by the erstwhile GT management.

"I haven't had a chance to speak with them but I think that's a good thing. Because if there was anything new I must have had a reason to talk to them. Except for the great players that we have added in this team I don't think there is anything new as such," the GT skipper said of the new management and changes to the squad on the eve of their season-opener against Punjab Kings.

With the influx of players like Jos Buttler, Glenn Phillips, Kagiso Rabada, and Mohammed Siraj, the Titans appear quite formidable. The addition of Rashid Khan, Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, Shahrukh Khan, and Rahul Tewatia to that line-up further strengthens the squad. As someone noted in the pre-match media conference, the Titans now have a 'problem of plenty,' boasting a strong group of specialists across batting, bowling, and even fielding.

With a steady coach enjoying an uninterrupted three-year stint and a retained captain, the Titans are undoubtedly one of the most settled sides in the league. Their key dilemma is whether to have Buttler open with Gill or stick with Sai Sudharsan. While having Siraj take the new ball is a luxury, the real question for the GT think tank is how effective he will be in the death overs.

The revamped Punjab side, under the management of Shreyas Iyer and Ricky Ponting, promises to be the best Punjab side ever. "The overall vision for this team is to win the IPL. I told the guys on the very first day when I joined the camp in Dharamshala that we were going to create and become the greatest Punjab Kings team that's played," said the former Australia captain.

That's quite an ambitious goal for a side that appears a bit light on batting. Beyond Shreyas Iyer, there are no established names in the batting lineup and they will need uncapped Shashank Singh to step up and hope for Josh Inglis to replicate his form from the Pakistan leg of the Champions Trophy. While Marcus Stoinis and Glenn Maxwell have the ability to win matches on their day, consistency has not been their strong point. Moreover, if Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya are indeed set to open the innings, they would be among the least experienced opening pairs in the league.

If this Punjab Kings team were to be considered the greatest side ever, the players will need to perform beyond their limits. On paper, however, the Titans appear far stronger for Tuesday's game.

When: Tuesday, March 25, 2025, 7:30 PM IST

Where: Gujarat Titans vs Punjab Kings, Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad

What to expect: It should be a high-scoring game with no impact of toss but teams may like to field first irrespective of the new rule allowing a second ball in the second innings to counter any element of dew. Largely it will be a contest between the specialists in Gujarat and the all-rounders in Punjab Kings.

Head to Head: Titans have a 3-2 lead over Punjab, but the visitors won the only previous meeting between the two teams in Ahmedabad last year.

Team Watch:

Gujarat Titans:

Injury/Unavailability: There is no information of any injury or unavailability.

Tactics & Matchups: Jos Buttler's experience and Shubman Gill's form will be crucial to the side's chances in the league in general and in Tuesday's game in particular. Punjab have solid firepower in Arshdeep Singh, Lockie Ferguson and Marco Jansen and how the Gujarat openers will handle the quicker bowlers shall determine the team's chances. Glenn Philips and Shah Rukh Khan will be left to counter the guiles of Yuzvendra Chahal, the most successful spinner in the IPL.

Probable XII: Shubman Gill (C), Jos Buttler, Sai Sudarshan, Shahrukh Khan, Glenn Philips, Washington Sundar, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Kagiso Rabada, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj

Punjab Kings:

Injury/Unavailability: All players are available for selection.

Tactics & Matchups: With three top-quality all-rounders - Marcus Stoinis Glenn Maxwell and Marco Jansen - followed by two quality pacers and a spinner - Arshdeep Singh, Lockie Ferguson and Yuzvendra Chahal - Punjab have enough all-round and all-condition bowling resources. They need their batters to step up.

Probable XII: Shreyas Iyer, Prabhsimran Singh, Priyansh Arya, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell , Shashank Singh, Nehal Wadhera/Suryansh Shegde, Marco Jansen, Harpreet Brar, Lockie Ferguson, Arshdeep Singh and Yuzvendra Chahal,

Did you know?

What They said

"Every player brings a different skill set and a different combination to the team. But at the end of the day a bowler or a fast bowler, who's bowling in the PowerPlay, the purpose is the same to get wickets. We are not trying to replace Shami bhai (Mohammed Shami). We are not trying to compare any players. We just want Mohammed Siraj to be himself." - Shubman Gill on Mohammed Siraj filling the shoes of Mohammed Shami

"We know he's got as good cricket knowledge and standing in the game as anyone. But I think that the care he shows, not just for his whole team, but his whole organisation,I think that's the one thing that stands out from Ricky." - PBKS Assistant coach Brad Haddin on coach Ricky Ponting