There’s something slightly ironic about where Shreyas Iyer and Shubman Gill find themselves heading into IPL 2026. Both had seasons most batters would dream of last year. Both led their teams deep into the tournament. And yet, they still got a lot to prove as far as their T20I place is concerned. Gill was given a rope with the team and was even made the vice-captain but it all went haywire, getting dropped just before the T20 World Cup 2026. Meanwhile, Iyer wasn’t given a chance despite being a serious spin-hitter in the country.
That’s what makes this Punjab Kings vs Gujarat Titans (PBKS vs GT) clash more interesting than it looks on paper. It’s not just about two teams trying to get off to a good start but also about two captains trying to make Ajit Agarkar and company remember what they are made of.
Iyer-Gill: Good IPL but pressure still on
If this was only about IPL performances, there wouldn’t even be a conversation. Iyer was central to Punjab Kings (PBKS) reaching their first final in a decade. Gill did what he has been doing for a while now, piling on runs and keeping GT in the mix.
| Player | Inns | Runs | HS | Avg | SR | 50s | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sai Sudharsan | 15 | 759 | 108* | 54.21 | 156.17 | 6 | 88 | 21 |
| Suryakumar Yadav | 16 | 717 | 73* | 65.18 | 167.91 | 5 | 69 | 38 |
| Virat Kohli | 15 | 657 | 73* | 54.75 | 144.71 | 8 | 66 | 19 |
| Shubman Gill | 15 | 650 | 93* | 50.00 | 155.87 | 6 | 62 | 24 |
| Mitchell Marsh | 13 | 627 | 117 | 48.23 | 163.70 | 6 | 56 | 37 |
| Shreyas Iyer | 17 | 604 | 97* | 50.33 | 175.07 | 6 | 43 | 39 |
But T20 cricket doesn’t really reward consistency alone anymore. It demands a certain tempo, especially at the top. That’s where Gill has found himself under scrutiny. Fifteen T20Is after IPL 2025, he didn’t manage a single fifty. More importantly, not enough intent in phases that complimented Team India’s approach. With players like Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson offering that aggression, Gill slipped out of India’s T20 setup.
Iyer’s case is a little different but leads to the same place. He hasn’t played a T20I in a long time, and even a season like 2025 hasn’t been enough to bring him back into the fold. It leaves him in that odd space where he is proven in the IPL but still has to keep making a case.
While Iyer got selected in the T20I series against New Zealand just before the World Cup, it was only due to Tilak Varma’s injury. Iyer just made up the numbers as a squad member, as he didn’t get an opportunity. Ishan Kishan, despite not having a great IPL 2025, managed to break into the side due to a couple of things. He had a marvellous domestic season with Jharkhand, while also doubling up as a keeper option. Fascinatingly, Kishan was one of the best batters in the T20 World Cup, getting his redemption arc story on point.
Challenges at IPL 2026 for Iyer, Gill
There’s also the leadership angle, which changes how both will be judged.
Gill’s Gujarat Titans still feel heavily top-heavy. When he and Sai Sudharsan get going, they look like one of the best batting units around. When they don’t, the middle order hasn’t always stepped up. That’s something Gill will need to address this season, not just as a batter but as someone shaping the side. It will help him as a captain overall. Now a Test and ODI captain as well, Gill really needs that experience of leadership under him.
Punjab, under Iyer, felt more rounded last year. They ended up as the runners-up last season, with almost all the players performing. It was a collective effort, and that’s what they’ll want to show again. Iyer, meanwhile, sacrificed his number three position for Josh Inglis last year. The move did wonders, and this time too, he is ready to bat at four. Cooper Connolly is touted to bat one down, making Iyer a beast option to tackle spinners in the middle overs.
This is still just the first game. No one’s season will be defined here. But for both Iyer and Gill, it’s a chance to set the tone early. Last year as well, it was GT and PBKS who played their opening game against each other. It was in Ahmedabad, where Iyer’s 97* took Punjab towards a superb win. This time, the New Chandigarh venue will be buzzing.
Gill will want to show that he can play the modern T20 game the way selectors expect. Iyer will want to remind people that his game hasn’t gone anywhere.
