Gujarat Titans v Punjab Kings IPL 2025 betting tips | Match 5

Titans vs Kings best bets

Delhi Capitals v Lucknow Super Giants match preview

The opening round of IPL 2025 wraps up on Wednesday morning (AEDT) with the Gujarat Titans (GT) hosting Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Both teams are coming off disappointing 2024 campaigns, with Gujarat finishing eighth and Punjab a spot below in ninth.

This clash marks the start of redemption arcs for two underachieving cricket sides — and home advantage may prove pivotal.

After back-to-back table-topping seasons in 2022 and 2023, Gujarat’s dramatic fall in 2024 came down to inconsistent bowling and a lack of aggression up top.

This season, Shubman Gill takes full-time charge as captain and will open alongside new recruit Jos Buttler, who arrives with a point to prove after being released by Rajasthan.

GT’s attack looks formidable with Rashid Khan, Kagiso Rabada, and Gerald Coetzee all likely starters.

Punjab, on the other hand, have thrown their chips in under new coach Ricky Ponting and skipper Shreyas Iyer, who led Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to glory last season.

They’ve invested heavily in Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal, and South African all-rounder Marco Jansen. It’s a bold squad overhaul, but one that may take time to gel — especially away from home.

GT have won three of the five past meetings between the two sides and boast a 62.5% win rate in Ahmedabad.

With the world’s largest cricket stadium behind them, the Titans look primed to start strong

Gujarat Titans v Punjab Kings predictions

Gujarat have the edge in terms of team balance and home conditions. Their bowling unit is far more settled and should be too strong for a Punjab side that has lost 17 of their last 28 matches and hasn’t made the playoffs in over a decade. GT also have the firepower up top with Buttler and Gill to post or chase a winning score.

Released by Rajasthan, Buttler will be desperate to make a statement in his first game for his new franchise. He’s historically been a fast starter in IPL seasons and will relish a true surface in Ahmedabad. If he gets going, few bowlers in the world can contain him. The +220 on offer with BetOnline to bring up a half-century looks great value.

The Afghan leg-spinner, Rashid Khan, remains one of the most feared bowlers in T20 cricket. Rashid has a strong record at home and regularly finds success even when teams look to attack him. Punjab’s middle-order could be vulnerable to his variations, making him excellent value to top GT’s wicket-takers at +260 with top sports bookmakers.

Sports betting tips