Two hungry teams walk into Mullanpur tonight with big dreams and equal ambitions. Both franchises tasted success last year but want more this season badly. The opening match between these sides could set the tone for everything ahead.
Shreyas Iyer and Shubman Gill will lead their squads onto unfamiliar territory tonight. New stadium conditions always bring unpredictable challenges for even experienced captains and players. Weather patterns might play the biggest role in deciding who wins here in IPL 2026.
PBKS vs GT Pitch Report: What Batters and Bowlers Can Expect
The pitch report of PBKS vs GT reveals a surface that generally favors batters. PCA New Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur has shown mixed characteristics in past games. Curators can alter conditions depending on how much grass they leave on.
Most matches here have witnessed high scores when the pitch stays flat. Batters enjoy the true bounce and consistent pace offered by this surface. Timing the ball becomes easier once players settle into their rhythm properly.
Fast bowlers might find some help early with the new ball though. Seamers can extract decent movement during the first few overs if conditions suit. But this advantage disappears quickly as the ball gets older and softer.
The pitch report suggests strokemakers will dominate once they get their eye in. Boundaries should flow freely from both ends during the middle overs phase. Teams with strong batting lineups hold a clear advantage at this venue.
Weather Conditions and Dew Factor in 2026
Mullanpur weather shows dramatic temperature changes between day and evening hours in 2026. Daytime highs will touch 33°C making conditions hot and challenging for fielders. But temperatures drop sharply to 16°C once the sun sets completely.
This massive temperature swing creates heavy dew on the ground later tonight. The evening moisture will make gripping the ball extremely difficult for bowlers. Spinners especially struggle when dew coats the leather surface badly.
Weather reports from Accuweather confirm these dew predictions are highly accurate for tonight. Captains winning the toss should seriously consider bowling first because of this. Chasing teams get a huge advantage when dew comes into play heavily.
Team Form and Key Players to Watch
Punjab Kings reached their second-ever final last season impressively in 2026. They built a young squad that surprised many established teams throughout the tournament. Shreyas Iyer needs his youngsters to deliver big performances consistently.
Gujarat Titans grabbed a playoff spot after missing out in 2024 completely. Shubman Gill brings fresh energy as the new captain for PBKS vs GT. Jos Buttler’s recent form remains a concern for the Titans management currently.
Both PBKS vs GT squads desperately want a winning start to their campaigns.
