After three games to kick off IPL 2026, the action now moves to Mullanpur, where Punjab Kings (PBKS) take on Gujarat Titans (GT). It’s still a relatively new venue in the IPL, but early signs have already given teams a fair idea that this is also one of those high-scoring venues. On the surface, it looks like a batting-friendly ground. However, it is not as batting-friendly as we see in Mumbai, Bengaluru or Hyderabad.
Mullanpur pitch report for PBKS vs GT
- Matches: 11
- Batting 1st Won: 6
- Batting 2nd Won: 5
- Average 1st Innings: 168.90
- Average 2nd Innings: 160.18
- Run Rate: 8.8
- Pace Wickets %: 66.89%
- Spin Wickets %: 33.10%
The first impression of this surface is that it’s good for batting. The boundaries are manageable, especially square, and there’s enough pace in the wicket for stroke-makers to trust their shots. The average first-innings score is around 169, but realistically, teams batting first will aim closer to 185-200 to feel safe in this Impact player rule era.
However, there is a bit of dryness underneath the surface, and at times, the pitch tends to hold just enough to make timing tricky. That’s where batters need to be smart.
There’s also a thin grass covering, which means pacers can get something early on. Not extravagant movement, but enough to keep things interesting in the first three to four overs. Once that phase passes, the game usually settles into a rhythm before slowing slightly in the middle overs.
Pace vs Spin at Mullanpur
| Type | Wickets | Avg | Strike Rate | Economy | Best |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pace | 43 | 30.30 | 19.2 | 9.45 | 3/17 |
| Spin | 30 | 20.03 | 15.1 | 7.92 | 4/28 |
Pacers take more wickets, but they also concede heavily. An economy touching 9.5 is not easy to control, especially with dew later in the evening. Spinners, on the other hand, have been more effective in terms of control and strike rate.
Interestingly, teams batting first have a slight edge here, winning 6 out of 11 matches. That goes slightly against the usual IPL trend, but with dew expected, captains may still lean towards chasing.
Mullanpur weather report
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 15°C |
| Rain chance | 2% |
| Cloud cover | 56% |
| Wind | NNE 9 km/h |
Weather shouldn’t be a factor. It’s expected to be a cool evening with minimal chances of rain, which means a full game is on the cards. All things considered, expect a score in the 180 range to be competitive. It has the makings of a high-scoring game, but maybe not quite a 400-run game.
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