Two notable selection decisions have drawn attention ahead of GT vs PBKS at the Narendra Modi Stadium on May 3. Prasidh Krishna is missing from the Gujarat Titans XI despite being their leading wicket-taker this season and Lockie Ferguson is not in the Punjab Kings playing XI despite being available.

Shubman Gill confirmed one change at the toss with Nishant Sindhu making his IPL debut and Shreyas Iyer confirmed Xavier Bartlett and Vijaykumar Vyshak come in for PBKS. Here is the full explanation for both absences.

IPL 2026: Why Prasidh Krishna is not playing for GT

Prasidh Krishna has taken 12 wickets in seven matches this season which is a respectable return in terms of volume. The problem is the economy rate that has come with those wickets. He has been conceding 10.34 runs per over across his IPL 2026 appearances and on a surface that offers something for pace bowlers in the early overs GT’s management has decided the cost of his wickets is too high.

Mohammed Siraj, Kagiso Rabada and Jason Holder give GT three genuine pace options who can be more economical and Arshad Khan and Rashid Khan provide the spin balance through the middle. Prasidh has not played GT’s last two games and the decision today continues that run. He remains in the squad and available but the combination of his expensive economy and the depth of bowling options available to Gill has kept him out.

For a side that needs to win tonight to stay in the top-four conversation the discipline that Siraj and Rabada bring is more valuable than Prasidh’s wicket-taking ability at a price of 10 plus runs per over.

IPL 2026: Why Lockie Ferguson is not playing for PBKS

Ferguson is available and fit but Shreyas Iyer has opted for Xavier Bartlett and Vijaykumar Vyshak in the XI ahead of the New Zealand pacer. Ferguson conceded 57 runs in his most recent appearance for PBKS against Rajasthan Royals which was an expensive return even by the standards of a high-scoring IPL 2026 season.

Iyer confirmed at the toss that Xavier comes in on the bowling side and the decision reflects a desire to go with bowlers who are better suited to the Ahmedabad surface. Bartlett provides pace and swing with the new ball and Vyshak’s knuckleball variations suit the conditions at the Narendra Modi Stadium.

Ferguson’s T20 experience remains valuable and he has not been dropped permanently but for tonight’s game against a GT batting lineup featuring Gill, Buttler and Washington Sundar the management has backed Bartlett and Vyshak to be more effective options. Ferguson is listed among the Impact Sub choices which means he could still feature if conditions or the match situation demands his pace during the game.

IPL 2026, GT vs PBKS playing XIs

Punjab Kings (Playing XI): Prabhsimran Singh(w), Priyansh Arya, Cooper Connolly, Shreyas Iyer(c), Marcus Stoinis, Suryansh Shedge, Nehal Wadhera, Marco Jansen, Xavier Bartlett, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal.

Gujarat Titans (Playing XI): Shubman Gill(c), Sai Sudharsan, Jos Buttler(w), Washington Sundar, Nishant Sindhu, Jason Holder, Rashid Khan, Arshad Khan, Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj, Manav Suthar.