The Punjab Kings (PBKS) take on the Gujarat Titans (GT) in Match 4 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh on Tuesday, March 31.
Punjab Kings come into 2026 on the back of a brilliant season in 2025, where they made the final for the first time since 2014 but fell short against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. They were one of the strongest teams in the previous year, finishing at the top of the table in the league stage.
Coach Ricky Ponting and captain Shreyas Iyer have built a well-balanced squad with a settled team that covers all bases, has multiple solid batting and bowling options, and has equally capable backups for everyone. They have not been affected by the ongoing injury crisis in the tournament but will miss the services of Lockie Ferguson, who is on paternity leave.
Here is PBKS’ strongest predicted XI vs GT, Match 4, IPL 2026:
Top Order: Prabhsimran Singh, Priyansh Arya, Cooper Connolly
Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya were one of the most prolific opening pairs of the 2025 season. The two got the Punjab Kings off to flying starts, setting up platforms for the middle order to succeed. The pair had 532 runs in 17 innings, striking at over 175 as a pair. They are expected to keep their places, and kick on from where they left off in 2025. Prabhsimran is also expected to take the gloves.
At number 3, as confirmed by the PBKS head coach Ricky Ponting, it will be Cooper Connolly. The highly rated Australian all-rounder comes off a successful Big Bash League campaign with the Perth Scorchers. Despite his career strike rate only being close to 130, his potential is undoubted, and he is a player touted to be a future star.
