Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra believes Punjab Kings could make a couple of tactical adjustments for their IPL 2026 clash against Gujarat Titans, but he also feels the franchise may choose continuity over change. One of the key calls, according to Chopra, could be whether Lockie Ferguson retains his place ahead of Xavier Bartlett in what is expected to be a high-quality contest on Sunday, May 3.
Punjab Kings have been one of the standout batting units in IPL 2026 and currently sit at the top of the points table with 13 points from eight matches. Gujarat Titans are not far behind either, placed fifth with 10 points from nine games.
Aakash Chopra pointed out that PBKS have thrived by playing positive cricket throughout the season, and despite their recent setback against the Rajasthan Royals, they may still prefer to back the same core group that has delivered consistently.
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“Who has the best strike rate? Punjab Kings. Who has played the fewest dot balls? Punjab Kings. Who has lost the fewest wickets? Punjab Kings. Which team has lost the fewest matches? Punjab Kings,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube channel. “So you need to continue in the same vein, although you lost the previous match against Rajasthan Royals for sure.”
He added that any changes are likely to be minimal rather than structural. Chopra suggested Vijaykumar Vyshak could come in for Harpreet Brar, Shashank Singh could return in place of Suryansh Shedge, and Ferguson may continue ahead of Bartlett. In his view, PBKS could revert almost entirely to their original XI, with just one enforced or tactical switch.
Chopra was also particularly excited about the new-ball battle between PBKS openers Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya and GT’s pace pair of Kagiso Rabada and Mohammed Siraj. He believes that phase could define the tone of the match, especially with Gujarat captain Shubman Gill likely to open with his strike bowlers.
“Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya vs Kagiso Rabada and Mohammed Siraj, I am extremely eager for this contest,” Aakash Chopra said. “Gill gives three overs apiece to his two fast bowlers at the start. The bowling will be wicket-taking. So it will be a good contest.”
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Aakash Chopra also warned that the Gujarat Titans remain heavily dependent on their top three. He feels the familiar pattern continues, with Gill, Sai Sudharsan and Jos Buttler carrying most of the batting load. As he put it, GT continue in the same manner even when a change in approach might help them move beyond that dependence.
