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PBKS vs GT Dream11 IPL 2026 — Best Team Today | CricJosh

Vikram Singh 31 March 2026 Updated 31 March 2026 ~12 min read ~2,280 words
IPL 2026 · Dream11 Prediction
Punjab Kings
Punjab
VS
Gujarat Titans
Gujarat
31 March 2026

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Punjab Kings and Gujarat Titans lock horns in what promises to be one of the most fiercely contested clashes of the early IPL 2026 season. PBKS, playing at their fortress in New Chandigarh, will look to leverage home advantage against a GT side that has historically punched above its weight since entering the IPL in 2022. Both franchises are hungry for points early in the campaign — making Match 4 a must-watch contest and a goldmine for fantasy cricket players.


Match Info

DetailInfo
MatchMatch 4, IPL 2026
TeamsPunjab Kings (PBKS) vs Gujarat Titans (GT)
DateTuesday, 31 March 2026
Time7:30 PM IST
VenuePCA Stadium, New Chandigarh

Pitch Report — PCA Stadium, New Chandigarh

The PCA Stadium in New Chandigarh is one of the newer high-quality venues in Indian cricket, offering a well-balanced surface that subtly tilts in favour of batters in the first innings. The outfield is lightning-fast, and the short boundaries on either side make it a paradise for aggressive stroke-makers and power hitters.

Surface & Conditions:

  • Average 1st innings score: ~175–185 runs
  • Average 2nd innings score: ~158–165 runs
  • The pitch carries for pace bowlers early on, with seamers getting appreciable movement in the first 3–4 overs under the lights.
  • Spinners tend to come into the game from overs 10–15, with the surface offering mild grip and variable bounce as the match progresses.
  • The dew factor in the evening can make chasing easier — ball skids on nicely for the batting side in the second half.

Toss Advantage: Teams batting second have a slight edge historically at this ground (~55% win rate), largely due to dew. However, a total above 185 can still challenge any chasing unit. Expect the toss winner to elect to field first.

Fantasy Tip: Back batters heavily in this match — especially top-order players who can exploit the first 6-over powerplay. Don't ignore your pacers for early wicket-taking potential.


PBKS — Predicted Playing XI

Punjab Kings come into this fixture with a revamped batting line-up and genuine firepower with the ball. As home side, expect them to field a settled XI.

#PlayerRole
1Shreyas Iyer (c)Right-Hand Batter ⭐
2Prabhsimran SinghRight-Hand Batter / WK ⭐
3Rilee RossouwLeft-Hand Batter
4Nehal WadheraRight-Hand Batter ⭐
5Shashank SinghRight-Hand Batter / Part-time
6Marcus StoinisRight-Hand All-Rounder ⭐
7Glenn MaxwellRight-Hand All-Rounder ⭐
8Harpreet BrarLeft-Arm Spin All-Rounder
9Arshdeep SinghLeft-Arm Pacer ⭐
10Kagiso RabadaRight-Arm Fast Bowler ⭐
11Yuzvendra ChahalLeg-Spin Bowler ⭐

⭐ Key Fantasy Picks: Shreyas Iyer (reliable run-scorer & captain material), Glenn Maxwell (explosive finisher with bowling upside), Arshdeep Singh (wicket-taker in powerplay & death), Yuzvendra Chahal (consistent among wickets in middle overs), Kagiso Rabada (premium pace option).


GT — Predicted Playing XI

Gujarat Titans arrive at New Chandigarh with a deep batting order and match-winning bowling options. Their batting depth and all-round balance make them a strong fantasy proposition.

#PlayerRole
1Shubman Gill (c)Right-Hand Batter ⭐
2Sai SudharsanLeft-Hand Batter ⭐
3Jos ButtlerRight-Hand Batter / WK ⭐
4Shahrukh KhanRight-Hand Batter
5Washington SundarRight-Hand All-Rounder ⭐
6Rashid KhanRight-Hand All-Rounder ⭐
7Rahul TewatiaLeft-Hand All-Rounder ⭐
8Kagiso RabadaRight-Arm Fast Bowler
9Mohammed SirajRight-Arm Fast Bowler ⭐
10Noor AhmadLeft-Arm Chinaman
11Prasidh KrishnaRight-Arm Fast Bowler

⭐ Key Fantasy Picks: Shubman Gill (GT's batting anchor and consistent run scorer), Jos Buttler (explosive opener, multiple 50+ scores in IPL history), Rashid Khan (wickets + economy, elite Dream11 value), Washington Sundar (batting + bowling = double points), Mohammed Siraj (swing & seam in powerplay).


Head-to-Head Record

Punjab Kings and Gujarat Titans have built up a short but competitive rivalry. Here's how their last five IPL meetings have panned out:

MatchWinnerMargin
IPL 2022 — GT vs PBKSGujarat Titans6 wickets
IPL 2022 — PBKS vs GTPunjab Kings8 wickets
IPL 2023 — PBKS vs GTGujarat Titans4 wickets
IPL 2024 — GT vs PBKSGujarat Titans7 runs
IPL 2025 — PBKS vs GTPunjab Kings5 wickets

H2H Summary: GT lead the overall head-to-head 3–2 in the last five encounters. However, PBKS have been dominant at home, making this a fascinating contest at the PCA Stadium.


Top Fantasy Picks

🏏 Batters (Pick 2–3)

1. Shubman Gill (GT) — GT's captain and most consistent run-scorer, Gill thrives on good batting tracks. He averages close to 45 in IPL innings where he crosses 20, and the New Chandigarh surface suits his elegant, timing-based game. Must-have.

2. Shreyas Iyer (PBKS) — The PBKS skipper brings authority and class to the middle order. He has a strong record against spin and pace alike, and captaining at home adds to his mental edge. He offers consistent 30–50+ scores regularly.

3. Prabhsimran Singh (PBKS) — The young wicketkeeper-batter has matured into one of IPL's explosive openers. At his home ground, he's dangerous from ball one. High ceiling in fantasy if he gets going.


🌟 All-Rounders (Pick 2–3) — MOST IMPORTANT FOR DREAM11

All-rounders are the backbone of any winning Dream11 team — they rack up points in multiple disciplines. These three are essential:

1. Rashid Khan (GT) — The Afghan leg-spinner is arguably the single most valuable Dream11 asset in this match. He bowls 4 crucial overs, takes wickets, maintains elite economy, and contributes useful runs lower down the order. No Dream11 team is complete without him.

2. Glenn Maxwell (PBKS) — Maxi is a 200+ points game waiting to happen. He can hit a blistering 50-off-20 balls AND take 2–3 wickets in a spell. His unpredictability makes him both a risk and a massive reward. Lock him in for Mega Leagues as a differential captain.

3. Washington Sundar (GT) — A reliable all-rounder who contributes economically with the ball and has developed into a destructive middle-order batter. Washington consistently delivers 50–90 Dream11 points per game and has top-of-the-order credentials in batting-friendly pitches.

Honourable Mention — Rahul Tewatia (GT): A classic finisher who can turn a game in the 18th–20th overs. His ability to hit sixes at will makes him a high-upside pick in Mega Leagues.


🎯 Bowlers (Pick 2–3)

1. Arshdeep Singh (PBKS) — India's premier T20 left-arm pacer is a death-overs specialist who regularly picks up wickets at the top of the powerplay and in the final 4 overs. High floor, high ceiling.

2. Kagiso Rabada (PBKS) — The South African express pacer has been in superb form. He hits the deck hard, generates steep bounce, and extracts movement under the lights. Expect 2–3 wickets on this surface.

3. Mohammed Siraj (GT) — Siraj's swinging deliveries in the first 3 overs are a nightmare for openers. He's been miserly in his spells and takes wickets at crucial junctures. A must-pick for bowling-heavy teams.


🧤 Wicket-Keepers (Pick 1)

Jos Buttler (GT) — Buttler is the premium wicketkeeper option in this match. He opens the batting for GT and has an extraordinary strike rate in the powerplay, capable of smashing 40–80 runs in the first six overs. The added stumping/catch bonus makes him ideal.

Alternative — Prabhsimran Singh (PBKS): If you want a slightly lower-cost WK option, Prabhsimran is the pick. He's a genuine match-winner at home and can challenge Buttler's fantasy value.


Dream11 Team Suggestions

🛡️ Small League Team (Safe, High Ownership)

This team is built around high-floor, consistent performers — ideal for Head-to-Head leagues and smaller contests.

RolePlayerTeamPoints Potential
WKJos Buttler (C)GTVery High
BATShubman Gill (VC)GTVery High
BATShreyas IyerPBKSHigh
BATPrabhsimran SinghPBKSHigh
ALLRashid KhanGTVery High
ALLWashington SundarGTHigh
ALLGlenn MaxwellPBKSHigh
ALLRahul TewatiaGTMedium–High
BOWLArshdeep SinghPBKSHigh
BOWLKagiso RabadaPBKSHigh
BOWLMohammed SirajGTHigh

Captain: Jos Buttler | Vice-Captain: Shubman Gill

Strategy: Buttler and Gill at the top guarantee a solid base. Rashid Khan and Maxwell offer double-points upside. Arshdeep and Siraj cover the bowling column with wicket-taking ability.


🚀 Mega League Team (Differential, Low Ownership)

For Grand Leagues and large tournaments, you need differential picks that can separate your team from the crowd. Go against the grain:

RolePlayerTeamWhy Differential?
WKPrabhsimran Singh (C)PBKSLow-ownership home opener
BATSai Sudharsan (VC)GTClassy No.2 batter, often overlooked
BATNehal WadheraPBKSHard-hitting No.4, low ownership
BATShubman GillGTAnchors the GT innings
ALLRashid KhanGTStill essential even in Mega
ALLGlenn MaxwellPBKSDifferential C/VC option
ALLHarpreet BrarPBKSBowling + late-order bat upside
ALLWashington SundarGTAll-round reliability
BOWLArshdeep SinghPBKSPowerplay wickets
BOWLNoor AhmadGTChinaman variation, can bamboozle batters
BOWLPrasidh KrishnaGTDifferential pacer with pace & bounce

Captain: Glenn Maxwell | Vice-Captain: Prabhsimran Singh

Strategy: Maxwell as captain is a high-risk, very-high-reward call. If he fires with bat AND ball, you're looking at 150+ points from him alone. Prabhsimran as VC gives you home-advantage upside at low ownership.


Captain & Vice-Captain Choices

Making the right C/VC pick is where Dream11 is won or lost. The captain earns 2× points and the vice-captain earns 1.5× — so these decisions matter more than any other.

🥇 Top Captain Pick — Jos Buttler (GT)

Buttler is the safest captain choice in this fixture. He consistently delivers 60–100+ Dream11 points when he gets going, and at PCA's batting-friendly surface under lights, he is primed for a big knock. His wicketkeeper bonuses add extra value. Pick him in all Small League and Head-to-Head teams.

🥈 Top Vice-Captain Pick — Rashid Khan (GT)

As vice-captain, Rashid is almost a no-brainer. He bowls 4 overs every match, gets wickets, rarely goes for runs, and chips in with the bat. His floor is high (~60 points) and his ceiling on a good day is 120+. Use him as VC in most team combinations.

🎯 Differential Captain Pick — Glenn Maxwell (PBKS)

If you're chasing big wins in a Mega League, captain Maxwell. He's capable of a 40-ball 80 PLUS two wickets in four overs — that's a 180–200 point game from one player. He's low-ownership as a captain pick because he's inconsistent, but when he clicks, he wins you tournaments. Use this pick in no more than 20–30% of your Mega League teams.


Match Prediction

On paper, this is a closely contested fixture, but the edge goes to Gujarat Titans. Their batting depth — headlined by Shubman Gill and Jos Buttler — combined with the match-winning brilliance of Rashid Khan gives them a well-rounded profile that suits conditions in New Chandigarh. GT have historically performed well against PBKS, and while Punjab will have home support, Gujarat's overall squad balance is slightly superior in the current campaign.

Expect a high-scoring game with both teams posting competitive totals. GT are predicted to win by 15–20 runs in a closely fought contest, with Shubman Gill likely to play a defining innings.

Predicted Score — PBKS: 178/7 (20 overs) Predicted Score — GT: 194/5 (20 overs) Predicted Result: Gujarat Titans win by 16 runs


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FAQs

Q: Who will win PBKS vs GT Match 4 IPL 2026? Gujarat Titans are the slight favourites for this contest, given their well-balanced squad, strong head-to-head record against Punjab Kings, and the leadership of Shubman Gill. However, PBKS cannot be written off on their home turf, especially if Glenn Maxwell and Arshdeep Singh deliver on the night.

Q: Who is the best captain pick for PBKS vs GT Dream11 today? Jos Buttler (GT) is the top captain recommendation for most league types. He opens the batting, has an explosive strike rate, and adds wicketkeeper bonus points. For Mega Leagues, Glenn Maxwell (PBKS) is the differential captain option — high risk but potentially match-winning if he plays a big innings and takes wickets.

Q: What time does the PBKS vs GT IPL 2026 match start? The Punjab Kings vs Gujarat Titans IPL 2026 Match 4 starts at 7:30 PM IST on Tuesday, 31 March 2026, at PCA Stadium, New Chandigarh. The toss is expected to take place at 7:00 PM IST. Make sure to lock your Dream11 team before the toss to be safe!


Disclaimer: This Dream11 prediction is based on analysis of player form, pitch conditions, and historical data. Fantasy cricket involves an element of chance. Play responsibly and within your budget.

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Vikram Singh

Expert in: Fantasy Tips

Cricket analyst and content writer at CricJosh, covering Fantasy Tips with 34 articles published.