Vishnu Vinod

Shashank Singh was notably absent from the Punjab Kings' lineup for their crucial encounter against the Rajasthan Royals. This match, the 40th of the season, features two top-four teams. Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag won the toss and elected to bowl first at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium.

Hyderabad and Punjab are poised for a high-scoring IPL 2026 encounter on a batting paradise. Both teams boast explosive Powerplay and middle-overs scoring, with star batsmen set to light up the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. Despite recent losses, Punjab's bowlers face a stern test on a pitch favouring batsmen, while Hyderabad aims to rebound.

There was something almost theatrical about Shreyas Iyer in the nets on Monday evening. No enclosures, no comforting mesh to keep ambition in check. Just an open sky over the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Stadium and a batter in complete command of his range.

Delhi Capitals captain Axar Patel won the toss and chose to bat against table-toppers Punjab Kings. Patel acknowledged his team's avoidable mistakes, aiming to post a strong total and defend it on a dry, hot pitch. Both sides fielded unchanged XIs, with Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer emphasizing staying in the moment and continuous improvement.

Delhi Capitals host Punjab Kings today. DC needs a win after recent losses. PBKS is unbeaten and leads the table. The match is at Arun Jaitley Stadium. The pitch is expected to favor batsmen initially. Heat will dry the pitch, aiding spinners later. Arshdeep Singh is back for PBKS. DC must perform well to improve their standing.

Punjab Kings made no changes to their side.

Punjab Kings, the sole unbeaten team, face a struggling Lucknow Super Giants today in Mullanpur. PBKS, atop the table, boasts in-form Prabhsimran Singh and captain Shreyas Iyer. LSG, in 7th place, might miss Rishabh Pant due to injury, relying on Prince Yadav for breakthroughs. The pitch offers balanced conditions, favouring chasers.

Uncertainty surrounded Rohit Sharma before MI’s clash with Punjab Kings after his hamstring injury. He skipped training, and scans raised concerns. At the toss, Hardik Pandya confirmed Rohit would miss multiple games. Mitchell Santner was also unavailable, forcing changes, with Quinton de Kock returning and a debut for Mayank Rawat.

Mumbai Indians face an uphill battle against an unbeaten Punjab Kings at Wankhede Stadium. MI, struggling with three consecutive losses and a potential Rohit Sharma injury, host a PBKS side flying high. Historically a close contest, this encounter holds significant weight for MI seeking redemption on home turf.

Punjab Kings opted to bowl first against Sunrisers Hyderabad in a day game, a strategy that has worked well for them recently. Skipper Shreyas Iyer backed his young team to express themselves. SRH, despite preferring to bowl, are confident in setting a competitive target, with Ishan Kishan leading the side and two changes in their lineup.

Punjab Kings, in strong form, face an inconsistent Sunrisers Hyderabad in their upcoming IPL clash. PBKS have shown balance with impressive batting and bowling performances, while SRH's top order and bowling unit have struggled for consistency. The match is expected to be a high-scoring affair on a batting-friendly pitch with no rain expected.

KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane won the toss and decided to bat first at Eden Gardens.

Struggling Kolkata Knight Riders face mounting pressure against an in-form Punjab Kings. KKR's shaky start is marred by questionable team combinations and a lack of clarity, while Punjab Kings have begun strongly with balanced contributions. A significant improvement is needed for KKR to challenge the confident Punjab outfit.

Kolkata Knight Riders face a formidable Punjab Kings, led by former KKR star Shreyas Iyer, in a crucial IPL clash. Struggling KKR, seeking to avoid a third consecutive loss, must overcome strategic missteps and inconsistent form against a confident Punjab side. Eden Gardens is expected to host a high-scoring encounter.

For Chennai Super Kings, star South African batter Dewald Brevis still did not make it into the playing XI, as he's still out injured.

The IPL 2026 toss between Chennai Super Kings and Punjab Kings was disrupted by a roaring Chepauk crowd, forcing Ian Bishop to apologise for the delays. Shreyas Iyer chose to bowl first. Ruturaj Gaikwad explained CSK’s opening strategy and pitch conditions as they aim to recover from a poor start.

Chennai Super Kings face Punjab Kings in their IPL 2026 home opener, aiming for a significant turnaround after a dismal start. Returning to Chepauk's batting-friendly conditions, CSK hope for a strong performance from their batting lineup, including marquee signing Sanju Samson. Punjab Kings, last season's finalists, arrive with a balanced squad, setting the stage for an exciting encounter.

Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer, aiming to prove their T20I worth, will captain Gujarat Titans and Punjab Kings respectively in a crucial IPL clash. Gill, a consistent scorer, leads a settled GT side, while Iyer, despite international snubs, anchors a strong PBKS unit facing form concerns. The match promises a contest of redemption and balance.

For the Punjab Kings, Priyansh Arya did not make it to the starting XI. However, the star batted was named in the impact subs list and is expected to come to bat in the second innings.

Punjab Kings will commence their IPL 2026 campaign on March 31 against Gujarat Titans in New Chandigarh. Led by Shreyas Iyer, who aims to improve on last season's runner-up finish, the team boasts a strong Indian core and an explosive batting unit. The schedule includes home and away fixtures across various venues.