The fifth match of IPL 2025 is going to be a big one, with the Gujarat Titans taking on the Punjab Kings at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on March 25. Fans can’t wait for this showdown as both teams are excited to kick off their campaigns with a win. Punjab Kings are being seen as strong contenders for the trophy this year, so the stakes are high.
Shubman Gill vs Arshdeep Singh
One player to watch is Shubman Gill, the captain of the Gujarat Titans. He has had quite a bit of success dealing with Punjab Kings in the past, averaging an impressive 65.12 score against them. That’s the best among players who have scored over 500 runs against that team. There’s also a tasty matchup brewing as he goes up against Arshdeep Singh. The left-arm quick has been known to swing the new ball, which makes for an interesting battle. Surprisingly, these two have faced off eight times in the IPL, and Arshdeep has only managed to get Gill out once. Last season, he snagged seven wickets during the powerplay, which is no small feat.
Shreyas Iyer vs Rashid Khan
Then there’s Shreyas Iyer, the captain of Punjab Kings, who’s coming into this IPL with some solid performances under his belt. He’ll be looking to face off against Rashid Khan during the middle overs, which will be a challenge. Even though Iyer is skilled with spinners, his performance against leg-spinners hasn’t been great lately. Since 2020, his strike rate against them has been sitting at a lowly 106.28, and Rashid has managed to dismiss him twice in ten encounters.
Yuzvendra Chahal vs Jos Buttler
Another exciting clash to pay attention to is between Jos Buttler and Yuzvendra Chahal. Buttler loves to dominate bowlers, but Chahal can be tricky with his spin and ability to deceive batters. If Buttler finds his rhythm, he can really take Chahal apart, but if Chahal gets the upper hand, it could be tough for Buttler.
Shreyas Iyer Vs Washington Sundar
Shreyas Iyer will also have to contend with Washington Sundar’s off-spin. While Iyer usually handles spin well, Sundar can throw him a curveball, so if Sundar can keep him quiet, it might disrupt Punjab’s flow during those middle overs.
Glenn Maxwell vs Rashid Khan
Finally, there’s Glenn Maxwell, who is the wild card for Punjab Kings. His explosive style can change a game in an instant, yet he’ll be having a face-off with the spin specialist Rashid Khan from the Titans. This match-up will be worth keeping an eye on because Maxwell likes to play unconventional shots, and Rashid’s clever googlies can make it tough for him. If Rashid manages to send Maxwell packing early, it could give the Titans a strong advantage as they navigate through the middle overs.
This match has all the makings of an exciting contest, with plenty of skilled players set to battle it out on the field. Fans should get ready for some nail-biting cricket action!
