Key Takeaways
- Punjab Kings (PBKS) suffered their first loss of IPL 2026, falling six wickets to Rajasthan Royals and will look to bounce back against Gujarat Titans (GT).
- Gujarat Titans are on a strong run, having defeated both Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru in recent matches.
- The toss for the Sunday clash is set for 7:00 p.m. IST on May 3; winning the toss could be pivotal given the venue’s dew‑affected evening conditions.
- Predicted playing XIs highlight GT’s top‑order firepower (Shubman Gill, Jos Buttler, Sai Sudharsan) and a potent bowling attack led by Rashid Khan, Kagiso Rabada and Mohammed Siraj.
- PBKS’ lineup centers around captain Shreyas Iyer, explosive opener Priyansh Arya, and all‑rounders Marcus Stoinis and Marco Jansen, with Yuzvendra Chahal providing spin depth.
- Live win‑probability models give Gujarat a 55 % chance to win, while Punjab sits at 45 %; betting odds from Dafabet reflect a similar edge for GT.
- Both teams have listed impact substitutes that could change the game’s momentum, notably Glenn Phillips and Rahul Tewatia for GT, and Vishnu Vinod and Harpreet Brar for PBKS.
Punjab Kings will look to return to winning ways when they take on Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad in the IPL on Sunday. PBKS tasted defeat for the first time this season as they went down by six wickets to Rajasthan Royals and will hope for a quick recovery. The loss snapped a promising start to their campaign, exposing some frailties in the middle order and prompting the coaching staff to reassess their batting depth ahead of the high‑stakes encounter with GT.
Meanwhile, Gujarat Titans are enjoying a good run of form as they beat Royal Challengers Bengaluru after getting the better of Chennai Super Kings. Those back‑to‑back victories have bolstered GT’s confidence, especially in their bowling department where Rashid Khan’s variety and Kagiso Rabada’s pace have been complemented by the incisive swing of Mohammed Siraj. The Titans’ batting line‑up, anchored by captain Shubman Gill and the explosive Jos Buttler, has shown the ability to chase or set targets with ease, making them a formidable opponent on any surface.
In this article, The Sporting News tracks the IPL 2026 match and provides the live win probabilities for each team. The toss is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. IST on Sunday, May 3. Winning the toss at the Narendra Modi Stadium could prove crucial, as the evening often brings dew that can make bowling difficult and favor the side chasing. Captains will weigh the decision carefully, considering both the pitch report—which traditionally offers a balanced surface with some assistance for spinners later in the innings—and the weather forecast.
Predicted playing XIs
- Gujarat Titans: Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (c), Jos Buttler (WK), Washington Sundar, M Shahrukh Khan, Jason Holder, Rashid Khan, Arshad Khan, Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj, Manav Suthar. Impact subs: Rahul Tewatia, Glenn Phillips, Anuj Rawat, Nishant Sindhu, Kulwant Khejroliya.
- Punjab Kings: Prabhsimran Singh (w), Priyansh Arya, Shreyas Iyer (c), Cooper Connolly, Suryansh Shedge, Nehal Wadhera, Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen, Lockie Ferguson, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal. Impact subs: Vishnu Vinod, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Xavier Bartlett, Harpreet Brar, Musheer Khan.
GT’s predicted XI blends aggressive top‑order batting with a versatile all‑rounder contingent. Shubman Gill’s ability to anchor innings, coupled with Jos Buttler’s explosive strike‑rate at the top, gives them a solid foundation. Washington Sundar and Shahrukh Khan provide useful off‑spin and handy lower‑order runs, while the overseas trio of Jason Holder, Rashid Khan and Kagiso Rabada offers a potent mix of seam, spin and death‑over prowess. Mohammed Siraj’s left‑arm angle adds another dimension to the pace attack.
PBKS, on the other hand, rely heavily on the explosiveness of Priyansh Arya at the top and the stabilizing presence of captain Shreyas Iyer in the middle. The inclusion of wicket‑keeper‑batter Prabhsimran Singh adds depth, while the all‑rounder duo of Marcus Stoinis and Marco Jansen offers both batting firepower and seam options. Lockie Ferguson and Arshdeep Singh bring genuine pace, and Yuzvendra Chahal’s leg‑spin remains a key wicket‑taking weapon, especially in the middle overs. The bench strength, highlighted by impact subs like Vishnu Vinod (a hard‑hitting batsman) and Harpreet Brar (a left‑arm spinner), provides tactical flexibility should the match situation demand a shift in approach.
Win percentage and odds
According to The Sporting News’ live win‑probability model, Gujarat Titans enter the contest with a 55 % chance to prevail, while Punjab Kings sit at 45 %. These percentages reflect GT’s recent momentum, their balanced squad composition, and the slight advantage often afforded to the team batting second under dew‑affected conditions at Ahmedabad. The corresponding betting odds from Dafabet echo this assessment, positioning GT as the modest favorite. Nevertheless, IPL history shows that probabilities can swing dramatically with a single over of brilliance or a lapse in concentration, making the encounter a compelling spectacle for fans and bettors alike.
Overall, the PBKS vs GT clash promises a contest of contrasting trajectories: a desperate Punjab side seeking redemption against a confident Gujarat unit aiming to extend its winning streak. The outcome will likely hinge on how well each team executes its plans in the powerplay, manages the middle overs amid potential dew, and utilizes its impact subs to tilt the balance in their favor. As the teams take the field under the lights of the Narendra Modi Stadium, spectators can expect a high‑octane encounter that could significantly influence the playoff picture in IPL 2026.