Shreyas Iyer and Shubman Gill (Image credit: BCCI/IPL) NEW DELHI: The two captains – Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer – will be eyeing their first points of IPL 2026 on Tuesday when Gujarat Titans take on Punjab Kings in Mullanpur.For Gill, India’s Test and ODI captain, the season presents a big opportunity to re-establish his place in T20 cricket. Despite being named T20I vice-captain at one stage, a dip in form saw him miss the T20 World Cup squad – a tournament which India eventually won. As a result, the focus will be on how he adapts his game to the evolving demands of T20 batting.For Iyer, the aim will be to put the disappointment of the 2025 finals behind him. After leading Kolkata Knight Riders to the title in 2024, he was released ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction despite this achievement.He was then bought by Punjab Kings for a whopping Rs 26.75 crore.
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KKR Depart from Mumbai after losing to Mumbai IndiansWill he finally be able to make it all the way and lead Punjab Kings to the title this time?Ahead of the thrilling clash between Gujarat Titans and Punjab Kings, here’s a look at five players who could change the course of the game:Sai Sudharsan: Gujarat Titans will be hoping for a solid opening stand from their right-left combination Sai Sudharsan and skipper Shubman Gill. Sai was the leading run scorer last season with 759 runs and returns after recovering from a rib injury. His recent domestic form, including a century and several half-centuries, suggests he could pick up where he left off. In 40 IPL matches so far, the left-hander has scored 1,793 runs at an average of 49.80 and a strike rate of 145.89.Shubman Gill: If it gets going, it can destroy any attack in the world. While Gill has been among the most consistent performers in the IPL – second only to Virat Kohli in scoring runs since 2023 – questions remain over his scoring rate. He had an impressive season last year, scoring 650 runs in 15 matches at a strike rate of 155.87 and an average of 50. Hungry to make a statement in the T20 format, Gill will look to adopt a more aggressive approach this season. He scored 3,866 runs in 118 IPL matches at an average of 39.44 and a strike rate of 138.71, including four centuries.Shreyas Iyer: Like Gill, Iyer too will be keen to make a statement. He will want to start IPL 2026 with a win and a solid performance with the bat. After guiding Punjab Kings to the finals last year, he will be eager to clear the last hurdle this time. In his IPL career, Iyer has played 133 matches, scoring 3,731 runs at an average of 34.22 and a strike rate of 133.34.Priyansh Arya: Fearless striker, Priyansh Arya has quickly made a name for himself and cemented his place as a regular pacer for Punjab Kings. The Delhi Premier League product – where he famously hit six sixes in an over – was PBKS’s third-highest run-scorer in IPL 2025. Along with Prabhsimran Singh, he has the ability to dominate the Powerplay and provide explosive starts. He also scored the fifth fastest IPL hundred (39 balls) against CSK in his debut season. Punjab Kings will be hoping to continue their attacking form.Arshdeep Singh: Fresh from India’s T20 World Cup triumph, the left-arm paceman will be brimming with confidence. Arshdeep was the leading wicket-taker for Punjab Kings in 2025 with 21 wickets in 17 matches and finished as the sixth highest wicket-taker overall. Known for his ability to swing the ball and strike in the Powerplay, he will be a key player for the bowlers this season. Arshdeep has taken 97 wickets in 82 IPL matches and is just three wickets away from reaching the 100-wicket mark.
