Top player battles to watch out for in the GT vs PBKS IPL 2025 match

The IPL 2022 champions are set to start their 2025 campaign against Punjab Kings. PBKS will come with a new captain as they set out on yet another hunt for their maiden title. The IPL 2024 winning captain, Shreyas Iyer, will now lead Punjab Kings, going to the camp for 26.75 crore in the mega auction. Shubman Gill, meanwhile, will take his leading spot in the GT camp, which he acquired last year after the exit and subsequent transfer of Hardik Pandya to Mumbai Indians. The one-time winners have further strengthened their squad, adding the likes of Jos Buttler and Mohammed Siraj to their attack. PBKS, on the other hand, have reclaimed Glenn Maxwell and now home the highest wicket-taker in the league, Yuzvendra Chahal, in their squad. With strong squads on both sides of the line, the GT vs PBKS IPL 2025 campaign opener is poised to be a thrilling affair.

Key player battles to watch out for in the GT vs PBKS IPL 2025 match

With the highest purse in the IPL 2025 mega auction, Punjab Kings made some crucial buys, including acquiring a captaincy prospect in Shreyas Iyer. Moreover, they brought in star spinner Yuzvendra Chahal to the den after Rajasthan Royals released the highest wicket-taker of the league. Additionally, PBKS brought Glenn Maxwell back to the camp after his exit from RCB. Gujarat, meanwhile, have added Jos Buttler, who is set to take up the opening position with skipper Shubman Gill. Moreover, released from RCB after seven seasons, Mohammed Siraj found a new home in the GT camp. With the core of Gill and Rashid Khan intact, Gujarat Titans have only added to their abilities in the auction.

Jos Buttler vs Arshdeep Singh

Jos Buttler emerged as the highest run-scorer for Rajasthan Royals in his seven seasons with the team. Buttler's tenure at the RR camp was adorned by an unmatched season in IPL 2022, where he smashed 864 runs, the second-highest individual score ever recorded in the IPL. However, a meek turn-up in the subsequent seasons saw Rajasthan Royals releasing the England batter ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction. The opening prospect, however, found a golden deal where Gujarat Titans acquired him for 15.25 crores. In new threads, Buttler is set to open for the team with skipper Shubman Gill in the GT vs PBKS IPL 2025 campaign opener.

The batter, in his top form, seldom bows down to any bowler. The spectacle is bound to be thrilling when a hard-hitter like Buttler collides against Arshdeep Singh, India's highest wicket-taker in T20Is. In the league format, Buttler has struck Arshdeep at a strike rate of 156.2, with two sixes in his account. The primary pacer for PBKS, meanwhile, has managed to dismiss the opener only once, bringing Buttler's average against him down to 25.00.

Shreyas Iyer vs Mohammed Siraj

While captaincy is nothing new for Shreyas Iyer in the IPL, the 18th edition brings a new challenge for the batter as he treads on the hunt for a maiden title for PBKS. Mohammed Siraj, meanwhile, will be noting a significant transition, bowling for GT after a long-standing stint with RCB. In their match-ups in the league, Siraj has dismissed Shreyas twice and has proved a significant hurdle in Iyer's run-scoring spree. Scoring 39 against Siraj in 33 deliveries, Iyer is yet to counter the speedster with an impactful knock. The batter has recorded a strike rate of only 118.2 and an average of 19.5 against Siraj in the IPL.

Glenn Maxwell vs Rashid Khan

With a shift in teams in IPL 2025, Glenn Maxwell would hope for a turnaround in his form. However, Gujarat Titans' star spinner Rashid Khan could hinder his plans early in the season. Maxwell's struggle against spin is significantly exploited by Rashid. The spinner has dismissed the Australian all-rounder thrice in the league. In 71 deliveries against Rashid, Maxwell has managed 77 runs, striking at a lowly 108.7 against the GT pick. With Maxwell perched in the middle order of PBKS, Rashid could bring a likely breakthrough for his team in the middle.