Image Credits: InsideSports/ App XAhmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium is set for a high-scoring encounter as Gujarat Titans (GT) captain Shubman Gill won the toss and opted to bowl first against Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Match 5 of IPL 2025. The decision was largely influenced by the expected dew factor, which has historically made chasing easier at this venue.
Gill, leading GT, emphasized the advantage of bowling first under lights. “The conditions are favorable for batting, but dew is a major factor here. High scores can be chased down, so we’re keeping that in mind. Our preparation has been excellent, and we have a strong bowling attack to take on the challenge,” he stated.
On the other hand, PBKS will see a new leader in Shreyas Iyer, who makes his debut for the franchise as captain. While Iyer admitted he would have preferred to bowl first, he remained confident in his team’s ability to set a competitive total. “I enjoy chasing, but we are ready for the challenge. It’s great to have familiar faces around, including Ricky [Ponting]. Team unity and synergy will be key. We have plenty of all-rounders, which gives us flexibility. Given the conditions, we’ve gone with a pace-heavy attack featuring three seamers and just one spinner,” Iyer remarked.
Pitch Report: A Run-Fest on the Cards
The pitch at Narendra Modi Stadium promises a high-scoring game, with boundaries measuring 64 and 66 meters on the square. The surface is well-prepared with a light grass covering that is unlikely to affect batting conditions.
Out of 17 matches played here, teams have crossed the 200-run mark on 10 occasions, further highlighting the batting-friendly nature of the track. With dew expected in the second innings, chasing has been the preferred strategy, making GT’s decision to bowl first a calculated move.
Gujarat Titans (Playing XI): Shubman Gill(c), Jos Buttler(w), Sai Sudharsan, Shahrukh Khan, Rahul Tewatia, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore, Arshad Khan, Rashid Khan, Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna
Punjab Kings (Playing XI): Prabhsimran Singh(w), Priyansh Arya, Shreyas Iyer(c), Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Suryansh Shedge, Azmatullah Omarzai, Marco Jansen, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal
