Punjab Kings have the edge over the Gujarat Titans in IPL 2026 Match 46. The table-toppers travel to the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, on Sunday, May 3, 2026, for a 7:30 PM IST clash against a Gujarat Titans side fighting to stay in the playoff race.
PBKS, sitting at No. 1 with 13 points, will look to bounce back from their first defeat of the season. GT, at 5th with 8 points, cannot afford another slip.
IPL 2026 Match 46 GT vs PBKS Match Info
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Match | Match 46, IPL 2026 (TATA IPL) |
| Teams | Gujarat Titans vs Punjab Kings |
| Date | Sunday, May 3, 2026 |
| Time | 7:30 PM IST |
| Venue | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad |
| Live Broadcast | Star Sports Network |
| Live Streaming | JioHotstar |
| GT Captain | Shubman Gill |
| PBKS Captain | Shreyas Iyer |
| GT Coach | Ashish Nehra |
| PBKS Coach | Ricky Ponting |
This is the reverse fixture. The two teams first met in Match 4 at New Chandigarh on March 31, where PBKS won by 3 wickets thanks to Cooper Connolly’s stunning debut knock of 72* off 44 balls. Now, GT gets a shot at revenge on home turf.
At the world’s largest cricket stadium with a 132,000 capacity, the atmosphere alone could swing this contest.
IPL 2026 Match 46 Odds for GT vs PBKS
The betting market sees this as a close contest, but PBKS carry a slight edge heading in as tournament leaders.
GT are priced as marginal home favourites on some platforms, reflecting the venue advantage at Motera. But the difference is razor-thin. The toss market is essentially a coin flip, which tells you both captains are likely leaning the same way.
| Platform | GT Win Odds | PBKS Win Odds | Toss Odds (GT) | Toss Odds (PBKS) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1xBet | 1.88 | 1.95 | 1.90 | 1.85 |
| Stake | 1.85 | 1.98 | 1.85 | 1.85 |
| 4RABET | 1.90 | 2.00 | 1.85 | 1.90 |
| BetVibe | 1.87 | 1.96 | 1.90 | 1.90 |
The odds suggest a near 50-50 game. And honestly? That feels right. GT’s home advantage roughly cancels out PBKS’s superior form and squad depth.
IPL 2026 Match 46 Toss Prediction for GT vs PBKS
At the Narendra Modi Stadium, the toss has increasingly become a “bowl first” decision in evening games.
Dew plays a significant role in Ahmedabad night matches. The temperature drops from around 40°C during the day to 28-30°C by match time, creating enough moisture to make the ball slippery for bowlers in the second innings. Chasing teams have had the slight edge at this venue in IPL 2026 so far.
Both Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer are likely to opt for bowling first. Gill did exactly that in GT’s last home game against RCB, and Iyer has consistently preferred chasing this season.
Toss Prediction: The toss winner will elect to field first.
GT Predicted Playing XI for IPL 2026 Match 46
Gujarat Titans come into this match riding a two-match winning streak after beating Mumbai Indians (Match 30) and Chennai Super Kings (Match 37). The CSK win was particularly impressive, with Kagiso Rabada picking up 3/28 and Sai Sudharsan smashing 87 off 46 balls.
However, they also lost to RCB in Match 34 (chasing 206, Virat Kohli scored 81). Their record stands at 4 wins, 4 losses from 8 matches.
Predicted XI:
| Rank | Player | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sai Sudharsan | Batter (Opener) |
| 2 | Shubman Gill (c) | Batter (Opener) |
| 3 | Jos Buttler (wk) | WK-Batter |
| 4 | Shahrukh Khan | All-rounder |
| 5 | Washington Sundar | All-rounder |
| 6 | Jason Holder | All-rounder |
| 7 | Rashid Khan | Bowler |
| 8 | Arshad Khan | All-rounder |
| 9 | Kagiso Rabada | Bowler |
| 10 | Mohammed Siraj | Bowler |
| 11 | Manav Suthar | Bowler |
| 12 (Impact) | Prasidh Krishna / Glenn Phillips | Bowler / Batter |
Key Talking Points:
- Sai Sudharsan is in scorching form. After scoring 101 off 58 against RCB and 87 off 46 against CSK in back-to-back games, he is one of the most dangerous batters in the tournament right now.
- Kagiso Rabada has 13 wickets in 8 matches and holds the joint Purple Cap position. His new-ball partnership with Mohammed Siraj has been GT’s strongest weapon.
- The middle order remains a concern. GT is heavily dependent on its top three. If Gill, Sudharsan, and Buttler fail, the batting collapses quickly.
- Rashid Khan will be crucial on a surface that offers grip and turn as the match progresses.
PBKS Predicted Playing XI for IPL 2026 Match 46
Punjab Kings suffered their first defeat of IPL 2026 in Match 40, losing to Rajasthan Royals by 6 wickets while defending 222. Before that? Six wins and a washout. That is elite consistency.
Shreyas Iyer’s side still sits at the top of the IPL 2026 Points table with 13 points from 8 matches and a healthy NRR of +1.043.
Predicted XI:
| Rank | Player | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Prabhsimran Singh (wk) | WK-Batter (Opener) |
| 2 | Priyansh Arya | Batter (Opener) |
| 3 | Cooper Connolly | All-rounder |
| 4 | Shreyas Iyer (c) | Batter |
| 5 | Nehal Wadhera | Batter |
| 6 | Marcus Stoinis | All-rounder |
| 7 | Shashank Singh | Batter |
| 8 | Arshdeep Singh | Bowler |
| 9 | Yuzvendra Chahal | Bowler |
| 10 | Vijaykumar Vyshak | Bowler |
| 11 | Lockie Ferguson | Bowler |
| 12 (Impact) | Harpreet Brar / Musheer Khan | All-rounder |
Key Talking Points:
- Marcus Stoinis destroyed RR’s bowling in Match 40, smashing 62* off just 22 balls at a strike rate of 281.82. When Stoinis gets going in the death overs, there is no stopping him.
- Prabhsimran Singh continues his excellent season with 59 against RR and has been one of PBKS’s most reliable opening batters.
- Lockie Ferguson made his season debut in Match 40, replacing Xavier Bartlett. The Kiwi express pace could be a handful at Motera.
- Yuzvendra Chahal took 3/36 against RR but has been slightly inconsistent in his recent outings.
- Arshdeep Singh’s form has been a concern. The lead pacer has not been at his devastating best this season.
- Azmatullah Omarzai is likely unavailable after the tragic loss of his mother.
Narendra Modi Stadium Pitch Report IPL 2026
The Narendra Modi Stadium is the world’s largest cricket ground and delivers a unique playing experience. It is not your typical “small ground, big scores” venue.
Stadium Details:
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Stadium | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad |
| Capacity | 132,000 |
| Pitch Type | Red/black soil blend, batting-friendly with pace and bounce |
| Average 1st Innings Score (IPL 2026) | ~195 runs |
| Average Run Rate (IPL 2026) | 9.29 |
| Square Boundaries | 60-67 metres |
| Straight Boundary | 73-89 metres |
| Best Strategy | Chase (dew factor in evening games) |
What to expect from the surface on May 3:
- True bounce and consistent carry make this a batter’s paradise once the initial movement fades. Red soil pitches here reward clean hitting.
- Pacers get an early zip with the new ball. Rabada and Arshdeep could be dangerous in the powerplay. But the seam movement rarely lasts beyond the first 3-4 overs.
- Spinners find grip as the game progresses. Black soil areas on the pitch offer turn and slow bounce, making Rashid Khan and Yuzvendra Chahal potential match-winners in the middle overs.
- Larger boundaries compared to most IPL venues mean mishits do not clear the rope as easily. The straight boundary at 73-89 metres requires genuine power.
- Dew arrives in the second innings of evening games. This makes the ball slippery and gives chasing teams a proven advantage.
GT’s home record at Motera stands at 14-12 from 26 IPL matches. They are comfortable here, but not invincible.
Here is the twist: GT has never beaten PBKS at the Narendra Modi Stadium. In two previous meetings at Ahmedabad, PBKS have won both.
Ahmedabad Weather Report, May 3, 2026
Peak Ahmedabad summer. This is going to be hot, even by Indian standards.
| Weather Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Condition | Clear skies, dry conditions |
| Daytime High | ~43°C (109°F) |
| Evening Temperature (Match Time) | 28-32°C |
| Humidity | 35-45% (moderate) |
| Wind Speed | Light winds, 10-15 km/h |
| Cloud Cover | Minimal to none |
| Dew Factor | Moderate dew expected from 14th-15th over of 2nd innings |
| Rain Probability | Less than 5% |
| Match Interruption Risk | None. Full 40-over contest guaranteed |
The heat is the real story here. Players will need to manage hydration carefully. The afternoon build-up of 43°C will cool down by match time, but it will still be a warm evening. The good news? No rain, no interruptions, just cricket.
Dream11 Team for GT vs PBKS
GT vs PBKS Head-to-Head Last 5 Matches
Overall Head-to-Head (IPL History):
| Matches Played | GT Wins | PBKS Wins | No Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 3 | 4 | 0 |
PBKS hold a 4-3 lead in this rivalry after winning Match 4 of IPL 2026.
Last 5 Matches:
| Match | Date | Winner | Margin | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IPL 2026 (M4) | Mar 31, 2026 | PBKS | 3 wickets | New Chandigarh |
| IPL 2025 | Mar 25, 2025 | PBKS | 11 runs | Narendra Modi Stadium |
| IPL 2024 | Apr 22, 2024 | GT | 3 wickets | New Chandigarh |
| IPL 2024 | Mar 27, 2024 | PBKS | 3 wickets | Narendra Modi Stadium |
| IPL 2023 | May 16, 2023 | GT | 6 wickets | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium |
At the Narendra Modi Stadium, PBKS are unbeaten against GT with 2 wins from 2 games. That is a significant stat heading into this fixture.
Rivalry Highlights Worth Knowing:
- The IPL 2025 meeting at this very venue produced 475 combined runs and 32 sixes, the highest match aggregate in this fixture’s history. Shreyas Iyer smashed 97 off 42 balls, while Shubman Gill responded with 96. PBKS won by 11 runs.
- 5 of the 7 matches between these teams have been decided by margins of 11 runs or fewer, or 3 wickets or fewer. This is the IPL’s tightest new-age rivalry.
- GT has never won this fixture at home. Let that sink in. In two meetings at the Narendra Modi Stadium, the Titans have lost both times.
Our Prediction: PBKS Have Better Chances to Win Against GT in IPL 2026 Match 46
Bottom line up front: PBKS win this one, chasing a target in the 180-200 range.
The Case for Punjab Kings
PBKS have the most complete squad in IPL 2026. Six wins from seven completed games is not a fluke. Under Shreyas Iyer and coach Ricky Ponting, they have built a team where every department fires.
Their batting runs deep, with Prabhsimran Singh, Priyansh Arya, Cooper Connolly, Iyer, Stoinis, and Shashank Singh all capable of winning matches single-handedly.
Their head-to-head dominance at Motera is a genuine psychological advantage. GT have never beaten PBKS at this ground. That is the kind of stat that lives in players’ heads, whether they admit it or not.
The one defeat against RR? That was not a collapse. They still posted 222 and were beaten by an extraordinary chase. The blueprint is solid. One loss does not change that.
The Case for Gujarat Titans
GT is on an upward trajectory. Back-to-back wins against MI and CSK have injected momentum. Sai Sudharsan is in the form of his life, Rabada is taking wickets in clusters, and Rashid Khan remains the most dangerous spinner in the competition.
At home, in front of a potentially massive Motera crowd, GT will feel they have the firepower to challenge anyone. Shubman Gill is due for a big knock in a big game, and the conditions at Motera suit GT’s style of play.
The problem? Their middle order beyond the top three has been inconsistent all season. If Gill, Sudharsan, and Buttler do not fire, there is no safety net.
Final Verdict
PBKS to win. Their squad depth, top-of-the-table confidence, and perfect record against GT at this venue make them favourites. Expect a high-scoring game in Ahmedabad’s heat, with the team chasing to have the advantage under dew.
Watch for: Kagiso Rabada vs Prabhsimran Singh in the powerplay, and Rashid Khan vs Shreyas Iyer in the middle overs. Those battles could define the match.
This prediction is based on publicly available squad data, injury reports, venue stats, head-to-head records, and IPL 2026 standings as of April 30, 2026. Official playing XIs will be confirmed at the toss.
