TUESDAY IPL: The Edge previews Punjab Kings v Gujarat Titans with a recommended BETDAQ bet.
Punjab Kings v Gujarat Titans
MATCH OVERVIEW:
The IPL continues on Betdaq Betting Exchange as Punjab Kings host Gujarat Titans! This is the fourth game of what is already shaping up to be a blockbuster tournament – and if the opening weekend has told us anything, it’s that the batters are firmly on top. Both games at the weekend had over 200 runs scored in the first innings, and they were both chased down too. It’s obviously early days but it looks like it could be another red-hot IPL for the batting sides. RCB chased down 201/9 in the 15th over in the opening game! Although last year’s IPL was incredibly high scoring, and probably changed the way we viewed T20 cricket, let’s not get too ahead of ourselves – the opening weekend did have two historically high scoring venues.
Punjab Kings come into this game with a chip on their shoulder. Last season they were arguably the revelation of the tournament – Shreyas Iyer and Ricky Ponting transformed them into genuine title contenders, reaching the final for the first time since 2014. They were agonisingly beaten by RCB by just six runs in Ahmedabad. That hurt clearly still stings, and a strong start to 2026 is absolutely essential for a side that believes this is their year to finally win a first IPL title. Their squad has been largely retained, though Lockie Ferguson will miss the early phase of the tournament for family reasons. Gujarat Titans, meanwhile, arrive in New Chandigarh as one of the most intriguing sides in the tournament. Shubman Gill leads the side for the first time as captain; they had a lightening start as a franchise but obviously they were always going to struggle to keep that winning level!
Jos Buttler coming into the batting at the top of the order adds serious firepower. Rashid Khan anchors the spin attack – Kagiso Rabada and Mohammed Siraj lead the pace attack. Their squad ticks a lot of boxes. Obviously this is the tournament opener for both sides; it’ll be interesting to see how they start.
WEATHER AND PITCH WATCH:
Punjab Kings have been moving around quite a lot in recent years, but New Chandigarh has been the home ground since 2024. Obviously we don’t have a huge amount of data IPL wise at this ground, but the surface is generally considered a batting-friendly one with good pace and bounce. The first inning scores in 2025 were 205/4 (won), 219/6 (won), 111 all out (won), 157/6 (chased), 101 all out (chased) and 228/5 (won). Dew is the key variable in New Chandigarh at night – it can get quite heavy and will obviously benefit the chasing side significantly if it arrives. Keep a close eye on conditions as the second innings gets underway. This being the first week, I’d keep an open mind on conditions.
RECOMMENDED BET:
It’s always wise to tread carefully in the opening week of the IPL – we’re still learning how pitches are playing, how sides have gelled, and what the conditions are doing game to game. After last year’s heartbreak, it’ll be interesting to see how Punjab start the tournament – it’s no surprise that they are the favourites here – and they look very strong. Gujarat Titans are a dangerous side but I do feel Punjab tick a lot of boxes, and I’m happy to take a small bet on Punjab Kings to get their campaign off to a winning start. I’d have them a few ticks shorter than their current 1.86.
The Edge Says:
One point win Punjab Kings to beat Gujarat Titans at 1.86 with Betdaq Betting Exchange
View the market here -> https://betdaq.biz/IPPuGu
IN-RUNNING STRATEGY:
The dew is the absolute key factor here. In New Chandigarh, dew can arrive in the second innings and make the ball extremely difficult to grip for the bowlers – when it does, the chasing side gets a significant edge. We had quite a range of scores here last season; you’d have to feel the batters will be on top but we did have two collapses here last season too. I would take the first three or four overs to read conditions before committing to a strong position, especially early in the tournament, but in general you’d want to be supporting the batters rather than the bowlers at the moment!
