Punjab Kings Face Gujarat Titans in IPL 2025 Opener

AHMEDABAD, India — The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season officially starts today with the Punjab Kings facing off against the Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium at 7:30 PM IST. This marks the opening game for both teams looking to establish a strong season from the outset.

Shreyas Iyer, taking on the captaincy for Punjab, aims to lead the team to its first IPL title after 18 years. Punjab has historically struggled in recent seasons, failing to make the playoffs in the last four years. Their last successful campaign was in 2014 when they finished as runners-up.

Iyer’s track record as a captain includes an IPL title with the Kolkata Knight Riders and a runner-up finish with the Delhi Capitals in 2020. His leadership is viewed as a potential turning point for the Kings, who have revamped their squad in anticipation of a fresh start.

“We have made some significant changes, and I am excited to lead this team. We aim to make a strong statement from our very first match,” said Iyer ahead of the game.

On the opposing side, the Gujarat Titans, coming off a disappointing eighth-place finish last season, hope to regain their form. They won the IPL title in 2022 and finished as runners-up in 2023. Captain Shubman Gill will look to inspire his squad, potentially with assistance from powerful batsmen like Jos Buttler and a robust middle order featuring players like Sherfane Rutherford.

“We have a quality squad and are ready to tackle our first game of the season. Playing at home gives us an advantage we intend to leverage fully,” remarked Gill.

Both teams bring formidable rosters that include several key players and all-rounders. Punjab’s lineup boasts Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, and Yuzvendra Chahal, while Gujarat springs into action with Rashid Khan, Mohammed Siraj, and Kagiso Rabada in their bowling arsenal.

The expectation for the pitch conditions at the Narendra Modi Stadium suggests a high-scoring encounter, with previous matches at the venue supporting batters. The highest score recorded here is 233 runs, further hinting at a favorable environment for batting.

The weather forecast indicates a clear sky with temperatures expected to maintain between 32-33 degrees Celsius during the match. Fans can watch the live coverage on the Star Sports Network or stream it online via the JioHotstar app and website.

As the season opener sets the tone for what lies ahead, both the Punjab Kings and Gujarat Titans will look to start their campaigns with a victory.