The Punjab Kings (PBKS) finally tasted what a defeat feels like in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. They let Rajasthan Royals (RR) chase down the highest total in Mullanpur’s history, with Shreyas Iyer’s team running out of ideas. However, they are still at the top of the table and an away clash beckons in the form of Gujarat Titans (GT). Punjab made three changes in their last game against RR, one of which was forced. Shashank Singh was benched as he was injured. Is he available now? Let us discuss below.
Mind-blowing PBKS batting to miss Shashank Singh
There has been no other consistent, dangerous and far more successful batting unit than Punjab (2026), not just this season but in IPL history. Across four metrics, including overall batting average (43.1), strike rate (186), balls per boundary (3.6) and balls per six (7.9), they top the all-time charts. The main reason is the opening duo, of course.
Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh have formed a deadly pair, hammering runs at 14.69 per over in IPL 2026. Easily the best for any wicket. Within the powerplay, PBKS has a run rate of 12.40, which ranks at the top. In comparison, GT are on the sixth spot with a 9.75 run rate in the first six overs. While Prabhsimran has been the leading run-getter for Punjab, Arya has been the tormentor, hammering runs at a strike rate of 250.4.
Then, Cooper Connolly and Shreyas Iyer follow. Connolly, playing his maiden IPL season, has been mighty impressive, having socred 270 runs at 45.00 per dismissal. He hammered a handsome knock of 72 in the reverse fixture. Meanwhile, Shreyas Iyer just continues to knock the selection door every time he bats. At the Narendra Modi Stadium, his numbers are crazy. At the venue, Iyer has hammered 243 runs at an outstanding strike rate of 222.94 across four innings. He just loves batting there.
Most runs for PBKS in IPL 2026
PlayerInnsRunsHSAvgSR504s6sPrabhsimran Singh734680*57.66179.2743717Shreyas Iyer730971*61.80174.5741822Priyansh Arya72839340.42250.4422126Cooper Connolly72708745.00168.7522418Marcus Stoinis511062*55.00229.161108Before GT vs PBKS match Image Credit: AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi via AlamyHowever, there will be no Shashank Singh again. He is missing out due to a hamstring issue and won’t play the GT vs PBKS game either. Instead, Punjab gave an opportunity to Suryansh Shedge in the previous game. The Mumbai all-rounder got to bat just a couple of deliveries against Rajasthan and is likely to continue. Meanwhile, Nehal Wadhera will love to better his record vs GT (62 runs in 4 innings).
The biggest shining light for Punjab in the last game was Marcus Stoinis’ knock. The ‘Hulk’ had just 48 runs in his first four innings. But against Rajasthan, he bludgeoned everything out of the park, hitting 62 off just 22. This will give Punjab a huge boost of confidence.
Harpreet Brar to continue?
Now comes the bowling. The duo of Marco Jansen and Arshdeep Singh is always a certainty. The left-arm combination just works for Punjab, which believes in “left is right”. Arshdeep, however, went for quite a few in the last game. His record in Ahmedabad (6 wickets at 9.64 economy) isn’t superb as well, nor is Jansen’s (2 wickets at 10.38 economy). They will need to be at their best against the consistent batting pair of Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan.
In the last game, Lockie Ferguson played his first IPL 2026 game for Punjab after joining the squad late. He was on a paternal leave. But the match didn’t bode him well, as he was completely taken down. However, expect PBKS to stick with him and not bring in Xavier Bartlett again.
Fascinatingly, Punjab brought in Harpreet Brar as an impact sub in the last game over Vijaykumar Vyshak. Brar, despite going wicketless, did superbly to come out with figures of 0/25 at 6.2 economy. Other PBKS bowlers went over 13 runs per over in that game. So, Brar was twice as good as his fellow mates against RR. While the Ahmedabad surface suits pacers slightly more than spinners, expect Punjab to stick with Brar, who deserves another match under his belt. Meanwhile, Yuzvendra Chahal will continue to lead the spin attack.
Yuzvendra Chahal’s record vs Gill, Buttler
BatterRuns ConcededDismissalsAverageBatting SRBowling SRShubman Gill69417.25121.0514.2Jos Buttler90330.00123.2824.3In IPL onlyPredicted Punjab Kings Playing XI vs GT
S. No.PlayerRole1Prabhsimran Singh (wk)Wicketkeeper-batter2Priyansh AryaBatter3Cooper Connolly Batting all-rounder4Shreyas Iyer (c)Batter5Suryansh ShedgeAll-rounder6Nehal WadheraBatter7Marcus Stoinis All-rounder8Marco Jansen Bowling all-rounder9Lockie Ferguson Fast bowler10Arshdeep SinghFast bowler11Yuzvendra ChahalSpinnerImpact Player (12)Harpreet BrarBowling all-rounderpic.twitter.com/fh8Mv7ovOd
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) May 2, 2026PBKS full Squad & schedule for IPL 2026
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