GT Vs PBKS, IPL 2025 Likely Playing XIs: Jos Buttler To Open With Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer At No. 3?

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Last Updated:March 24, 2025, 18:45 IST

Gujarat Titans vs Punjab Kings IPL 2025, Expected Playing XI and Top Players to Watch Out For: Shubman Gill-led GT will face Shreyas Iyer's Punjab Kings in Match No. 5 of the IPL 2025 on Tuesday at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Gujarat Titans vs Punjab Kings IPL 2025: Predicted Playing XI and Star Performers. (Picture Credit: X/@PunjabKingsIPL)

Gujarat Titans vs Punjab Kings IPL 2025, Probable Playing XI, Impact Players, and Tactical Matchups: Gujarat Titans will face Punjab Kings in the fifth match of IPL 2025 on Tuesday, March 25. The first match of the 18th edition of the world’s richest franchise cricket league for both the teams is scheduled to take place at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad from 7:30 PM IST onwards. After failing to qualify for the playoffs last season, GT would like to make a strong start this season and get the better of PBKS in front of home fans, whereas the Mohali-based franchise, which will play under the leadership of IPL 2024-winning team captain Shreyas Iyer, this year would also like to get off to a flying start. The match between the two teams is expected to be a nail-biting contest at the world’s biggest cricket stadium.

GT’s likely playing XI

GT signed former England white-ball captain Jos Buttler for Rs 15.75 crore in the IPL 2025 mega auction, and he is all set to open the innings for the 2022 champions in the IPL this year along with captain Shubman Gill. Tamil Nadu batter Sai Sudharsan, who was retained by the franchise, is set to bat at No. 3, and for the middle-order role, GT will bank upon the experience of Glenn Phillips, Shahrukh Khan, Washington Sundar and Rahul Tewatia. GT also signed Afghanistan all-rounder Karim Janat and West Indies’ Sherfane Rutherford in the mega auction last year, but they are unlikely to get preference over Phillips, at least for the first match of the new season.

South African pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada will lead GT’s pace attack against his former team and will have Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna for support. The onus of spin bowling will rest upon the shoulders of the legendary Rashid Khan, who was also GT’s first choice retention ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auctions.

Gujarat Titans probable playing XI: Shubman Gill (C), Jos Buttler (WK), Sai Sudharsan, Shahrukh Khan, Glenn Phillips, Washington Sundar, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Kagiso Rabada, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj

Impact players: Anuj Rawat, Mahipal Lomror, Ishant Sharma

PBKS’ likely playing XI

Punjab Kings retained only two uncapped players from the 2024 squad and entered the mega auction with a purse for Rs 110.50 crore. In the mega auction, PBKS made some big-money signings in the form of Shreyas Iyer, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh and Marcus Stoinis, and they are set to be part of the playing XI on Tuesday.

Uncapped Indian wicketkeeper-batter Prabhsimran Singh will open the innings with either Marcus Stoinis or Josh Inglis, and captain Iyer will bat at No. 3, followed by Glenn Maxwell. If Stoinis opens for the Punjab-based franchise, then Afghanistan all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai could bat at No. 5, followed by Shashank Singh at 6 and Nehal Wadhera at No. 7.

PBKS can also consider Mumbai cricketer Suryansh Shedge for the finisher’s role after he impressed with his performances in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy last year.

South Africa’s Marco Jansen will open the bowling attack for Preity Zinta’s co-owned side and will have Arshdeep and Yash Thakur for support. IPL’s all-time leading wicket-taker Yuzvendra Chahal is with PBKS this year, and he will be the team’s first-choice spinner.

As impact players, Harpreet Brar, Kuldeep Sen or Priyansh Arya could come in for PBKS depending on the need of the hour.