Punjab Kings and Gujarat Titans begin IPL 2026 in Mullanpur with more than just points at stake. PBKS, runners-up last season, are chasing validation, eager to prove their run was no one-off and that they can sustain that level.
Gujarat Titans, meanwhile, arrive with a slightly different challenge. Their top order remains their biggest strength, but questions persist around middle-order consistency. With a proven bowling unit backing them, GT will look to start strong. This opener is less about momentum and more about identity as both sides aim to define their direction early in the tournament.
