A new IPL season often brings new hopes, but for Gujarat Titans and Punjab Kings, IPL 2025 feels like the start of a deeper transformation. As the two sides lock horns at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium, it’s more than just a game—it’s a statement.
For Gujarat Titans, stability has been the mantra. Retaining their core trio—Shubman Gill, Rashid Khan, and Rahul Tewatia—the franchise now hopes Jos Buttler can add that missing spark at the top. The Titans’ powerplay approach was their Achilles’ heel in 2024, and Gill knows it. His vow to "maximise the powerplay" reflects a personal and team-wide mission to reclaim lost momentum.
Buttler, ever the crowd-pleaser, brings both flair and form. Two centuries in the previous edition and a current T20 strike rate just shy of 150, his presence ensures fans stay seated until the final ball of the sixth over.
Punjab Kings, on the other hand, have once again rebranded, not just with personnel but in philosophy. With Ricky Ponting at the helm and Shreyas Iyer as captain, PBKS hopes to finally shed its underachiever tag. The Ponting-Iyer pairing isn't new, but its IPL reboot brings fresh excitement. Add to that the firepower of Glenn Maxwell, who returns to PBKS after a remarkable BBL, and Marcus Stoinis, and there’s real promise in the Kings’ arsenal.
Yet, history casts a shadow. PBKS have promised plenty in the past but delivered little in terms of silverware. Will this new version finally break the curse?
As the crowd gears up in Ahmedabad, the stage is set not just for a contest of bat and ball—but for ideologies, approaches, and ambitions. Will Titans ride their bowlers to victory again? Or will PBKS, finally looking balanced, strike gold with a bold new game plan?
Let the season begin.
