GT vs PBKS / Punjab Kings started IPL with a win - defeated Gujarat by 11 runs

In the 5th match of IPL-18, Punjab Kings defeated Gujarat Titans by 11 runs. In this match played in Ahmedabad, Punjab scored 243/5, in which Shreyas Iyer scored 97* and Shashank Singh scored 44*. In reply, Gujarat could only reach 232/5.

GT vs PBKS: In the 5th match of IPL 18, Punjab Kings secured a thrilling victory by defeating Gujarat Titans by 11 runs. The match was played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, where Gujarat won the toss and opted to bowl first. Punjab Kings posted a massive total of 243/5 in 20 overs, which was their second-highest score in IPL history. In response, Gujarat Titans could only manage 232/5 in their allotted 20 overs.

Stellar Performances by Shreyas Iyer and Shashank Singh

Punjab Kings’ captain Shreyas Iyer played a sensational knock of 97* runs and remained unbeaten. He was well supported by Shashank Singh, who also remained not out with 44 runs. The duo built a crucial 81-run partnership. Additionally, opener Priyansh Arya contributed 47 runs. For Gujarat, Sai Kishore took 3 wickets, while Kagiso Rabada and Rashid Khan picked up one wicket each.

Gujarat Titans’ Fighting Run Chase

Gujarat Titans had a strong start to their chase. Sai Sudharsan played a brilliant innings of 74 runs, while Jos Buttler scored 54. However, two crucial wickets in the final over proved costly, and Gujarat fell 11 runs short of the target. They needed 27 runs off the last over but could only reach 232 runs.

Punjab Kings’ Second-Highest IPL Score

Punjab Kings’ score of 243/5 was their second-highest total in IPL history.

Score	Opponent	Venue	Year
262/2	Kolkata Knight Riders	Kolkata	2024
243/5	Gujarat Titans	Ahmedabad	2025
232/2	Royal Challengers Bengaluru	Dharamshala	2011
231/4	Chennai Super Kings	Cuttack	2014
230/3	Mumbai Indians	Wankhede	2017

Shreyas Iyer Shines in His Captaincy Debut

Shreyas Iyer had a dream debut as Punjab Kings’ captain, scoring an unbeaten 97 runs off just 42 balls at a staggering strike rate of 230.95. His innings included 5 fours and 9 sixes. With this, he became the third-highest scorer on IPL captaincy debut.

Score	Player	Team	Opponent	Venue	Year
119	Sanju Samson	Rajasthan Royals	Punjab Kings	Wankhede	2021
99*	Mayank Agarwal	Punjab Kings	Delhi Capitals	Ahmedabad	2021
97*	Shreyas Iyer	Punjab Kings	Gujarat Titans	Ahmedabad	2025
93*	Shreyas Iyer	Delhi Capitals	Kolkata Knight Riders	Delhi	2018
88	Faf du Plessis	Royal Challengers Bengaluru	Punjab Kings	Mumbai	2022

Contributions from Other Batsmen

In addition to Iyer and Shashank, Azmatullah Omarzai scored 16 runs, Marcus Stoinis added 20, and Shashank Singh remained unbeaten on 44. Glenn Maxwell, however, was dismissed for a duck, marking his 19th duck in IPL history—the most by any player.

Gujarat Titans’ Bowling Performance

For Gujarat Titans, Sai Kishore was the standout bowler, taking 3 wickets for 42 runs in 4 overs. Kagiso Rabada and Rashid Khan chipped in with one wicket each.