IPL 2025: Why is Lockie Ferguson not in Starting XI in GT vs PBKS Match 5?

On Tuesday, March 25, Gujarat Titans (GT) will play Punjab Kings (PBKS) in match No. 5 of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 at the massive Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

In the IPL 2024, Gujarat will try to recover from a lacklustre season led by Shubman Gill. At the mega-auction in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Punjab was able to sign Shreyas Iyer, who helped the Kolkata Knight Riders win the championship the previous season. On Wednesday, the Mumbai batsman will take the pitch for the first time as captain of the Punjab Kings.

Toss Update

Shubman won the toss and opted to field first, citing that dew could play a role in the second innings. Meanwhile, Shreyas also admitted that he would have bowled first had he won the toss.

Why is Lockie Ferguson not playing?

Lockie Ferguson has not been picked in the side as Punjab have selected all-rounders Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Azmatullah Omarzai, and Marco Jansen as their four overseas players.

Ferguson suffered an injury during the ILT20 in the UAE. He recovered in time to make it to New Zealand’s Champions Trophy squad. However, he sustained a foot injury during a warm-up match against Afghanistan ahead of the global event. The Kiwi speedster missed the Champions Trophy but it has been almost a week since he joined the Punjab Kings’ camp. He was seen bowling at the nets as well in the practice games. However, it seems that the management wanted all-round options to add more depth to their lineup.

What did the captains say at the toss?

Shubman Gill (Gujarat Titans)

We will bowl first. It is a good cricketing wicket. There is some dew here. Just keeping it in mind. Dew is a big factor here. Big targets can be chased down. Preparation has been amazing. We have our bases covered. The bowling attack is good. Very fortunate to play at the biggest stadium in the world. We have four pacers and two spinners

Shreyas Iyer (Punjab Kings)

I would have loved to bowl. I am always someone who loves a chase. Take the challenge. There are so many familiar faces around. There is Ricky. You need unity and synergy in the team. We have got a lot of all-rounders in the team. We are spoilt for choices. Since we will be batting first, we have only one spinner and three seamers.

GT vs PBKS Playing XIs: 

Gujarat Titans: Shubman Gill (C), Jos Buttler (WK), Sai Sudharsan, Shahrukh Khan, Rahul Tewatia, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore, Arshad Khan, Rashid Khan, Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna

Impact Subs: Sherfane Rutherford, Glenn Phillips, Ishant Sharma, Anuj Rawat, Washington Sundar.