Shubman Gill To Drop Kagiso Rabada? GT Predicted Playing XI Vs PBKS- IPL 2026, Match 4

GT predicted XI vs PBKS [Source: AFP]

The 2022 champions, Gujarat Titans, start their IPL 2026 campaign against the Punjab Kings on Tuesday, March 31, at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Stadium, New Chandigarh, at 7:30 PM (IST).

Following the first playoff qualification under Shubman Gill's leadership in IPL 2025, GT will look to build on the last season's positives, having finished third on the table. Courtesy of their top-order and bowling attack, they were also in contention for the top-2 spots before a hiccup in the business end of the season.

On the other hand, the Punjab Kings had their best season since the 2014 final, finishing top of the table and eventually finishing as runners-up under the inspired leadership of Shreyas Iyer. So far, these two teams have faced off in 6 games, with each team winning 3. The last time GT played in Mullanpur, they won by 3 wickets in 2024.

As the Shubman Gill-led outfit looks to begin the season with a bang, we explore their predicted playing XI for their clash against PBKS.

Gujarat Titans' Playing XI vs PBKS- IPL 2026, Match 4

Top-order: Shubman Gill (c), Sai Sudharsan, Jos Buttler (wk)

The GT top-order of captain Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan and Jos Buttler pick themselves at default at the beginning of IPL 2026 after the consistent performances they put on during IPL 2025.

The Orange Cap winner, Sai Sudharsan (759), Gill (650) and Buttler (538), accumulated 70.39 per cent of GT's total runs in the last season.

The openers were among the top-5 scorers of the season, while Buttler also found himself just outside the top-5.

Despite Buttler's poor recent form, they will back his 121-match IPL credentials, scoring 4120 runs at an average of 40 and a strike rate of 149.38 at the start of the season. The Englishman will also be their wicketkeeper.

Also Read: Gujarat Titans' Record At Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, Before IPL 2026

Middle-order and all-rounders: Washington Sundar, Glenn Phillips, Shahrukh Khan/Kumar Kushagra, Rahul Tewatia, Jason Holder, Rashid Khan

Ahead of IPL 2026, Washington Sundar was tried by GT at 4 in a few matches last season, where he created an impact and made a case for himself to bat at the position, despite having other frontline batters. At 4 in IPL, he has a strike rate of 155.30 in 6 innings.

Criterion	Details
Innings	6
Runs	146
Avg/SR	24.30
Highest	49
4s/6s	11/6

(Washington Sundar at 4 in the IPL)

At number 5 will be the New Zealand batter Glenn Phillips, who has spent a lot of time on the sidelines in the league ahead of IPL 2026.

He looked in great touch during their tour of India earlier in the year, followed by the T20 World Cup and is likely to get a nod over Tom Banton at 5.

Shahrukh Khan has been GT's number 6 for the last two seasons and has 55 IPL matches under his belt for 732 runs at a strike rate of 149.

However, in the recent Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he only got 18 runs in 5 innings, whereas Kumar Kushagra scored 422 runs at 161.68 (3rd highest) in Jharkhand's triumph.

One of Shahrukh Khan or Kumar Kushagra could play in the XI, and if the latter is picked ahead of Khan, he will bat 4 and switch positions with Sundar.

Rahul Tewatia, with his impeccable death overs batting under pressure, walks into the playing XI, with an IPL record of 1112 runs in 77 innings, striking at 137.11 and 32 wickets with his leg spin.

He will be followed by Jason Holder, who has picked the most death overs wickets in T20s since January 2025, also scoring 1011 runs at 161.80 in this period with 78 towering 6s.

Holder's recent T20 form ahead of IPL 2026, in both batting and bowling departments currently give him an edge over the South African pacer, Kagiso Rabada in this playing XI .

Rashid Khan will conclude this long batting lineup, with close to 3000 T20 runs at a strike rate of 147 and is the only bowler with 700 wickets in the format. He will be their key player if they want to lift the title again after 4 years.

Bowlers: Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Sai Kishore (impact player)

Mohammed Siraj, who bowled brilliantly during the powerplay of IPL 2025, will once again be their frontline pacer. He was the second-highest wicket-taker in the powerplay with 9 scalps in 15 innings, conceding 8.50 runs per over.

The purple cap winner, Prasidh Krishna, with 25 wickets last season, will complete the playing XI. Last season, he picked 15 wickets in overs 15 to 20, which was the most for any bowler in the edition.

Their second spinner and impact player will be Sai Kishore. He was their second-highest wicket-taker last season, with 19 scalps in 15 innings with his left-arm orthodox bowling.

He will operate in the middle overs with Rashid Khan, who will be in search of some form after some physical struggles recently. So, ace speedster Kagiso Rabada will likely miss out on selection.

Gujarat Titans predicted playing XI vs Punjab Kings- IPL 2026, Match 4: Shubman Gill (c), Sai Sudharsan, Jos Buttler (wk), Washington Sundar, Glenn Phillips, Shahrukh Khan/Kumar Kushagra, Rahul Tewatia, Jason Holder, Rashid Khan, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna