Gujarat Titans (GT) are set to face off against Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Match 23 of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2025) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Wednesday, April 9.
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Gujarat Titans vs Rajasthan Royals: Preview
These two sides are built quite similarly, but their journeys in IPL 2025 have taken different turns. The shared strength they both relied on has paid off for one, while faltering for the other.
Gujarat Titans currently sit second on the points table, thanks largely to the outstanding form of their top three. Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, and Jos Buttler have contributed more than 70% of the team’s total runs—503 out of 715—highlighting just how effective their primary game plan has been. Perhaps a bit too effective? T20 cricket thrives on unpredictability, and GT may soon face a reality check, with a middle order that’s barely had any time at the crease.
Based on current form and overall squad depth, Gujarat Titans seem to have the upper hand. Shubman Gill has been leading by example, with dependable support from Sai Sudharsan and Jos Buttler. Sherfane Rutherford has also stepped up in style, often delivering with the bat in high-pressure situations—sometimes quite literally with impactful finishes.
Their bowling has been just as impressive, anchored by a rejuvenated Mohammed Siraj. He’s been well supported by Prasidh Krishna, R Sai Kishore, and the ever-reliable Rashid Khan. With Kagiso Rabada set to return, this attack could soon verge on unstoppable. However, the looming presence of dew remains a potential leveller.
Even so, Gujarat have managed to hold opponents below 180 in three of their four matches this season—a notable feat considering IPL 2025 has been dominated by big scores. It’s a clear reflection of the bowling unit’s precision, discipline, and ability to adapt under varying conditions.
When it comes to early breakthroughs, Gujarat Titans have turned a previous weakness into a major strength. They top the charts for Powerplay wickets by seamers in IPL 2025, having picked up eight wickets at an average of 22.62. Last season, they struggled in this phase without the injured Mohammed Shami—but this time, Mohammed Siraj has taken charge.
Siraj currently leads all bowlers for wickets in the Powerplay this season with six scalps—claiming two each in his last three matches. Notably, those wickets include big names like Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Phil Salt, and Rohit Sharma. His control has been exceptional too, delivering 63.6% dot balls in the first six overs—second only to Josh Hazlewood’s remarkable 72.9%.
Mohammed Siraj has rediscovered his rhythm. After managing just five wickets in the powerplay last season, he has already surpassed that tally in IPL 2025—despite playing 10 fewer games. With his pace consistently hitting 140+ kph in over half his deliveries during the first six overs, Siraj looks well-poised for his duel with Sanju Samson. Their head-to-head in the IPL reads: 36 runs off 31 balls, three dismissals—advantage Siraj.
R Sai Kishore has firmly stepped out of the shadows this season, outperforming senior spinner Rashid Khan in every outing so far. In four matches, Sai Kishore has bagged eight wickets while conceding just 113 runs, boasting an economy rate of 7.6. In contrast, Rashid has managed only one wicket while leaking 143 runs at an economy of 10.21—a rare dip for the Afghan ace.
Is Rashid Khan on the decline? That’s a bold question for a bowler who has over 600 T20 wickets to his name—and certainly deserves the benefit of the doubt. However, the numbers from the last two IPL seasons do raise some eyebrows. Across 16 matches, he has managed just 11 wickets, with an average of 46.36 and an economy rate of 8.84. While form can fluctuate in a format as volatile as T20, these figures suggest he hasn’t quite been at his best. But if there’s anyone who can bounce back with a match-winning spell at any moment, it’s Rashid Khan.
This might also be an ideal time for Rashid Khan to face the Royals. Though his recent numbers raise questions, he looked sharp in his spell against Sunrisers Hyderabad (4-0-31-0) and boasts favourable records against key RR batters. Riyan Parag has managed just 24 runs in 28 balls against him, falling twice, while Shimron Hetmyer has been dismissed six times by Rashid across formats for just 79 runs in 63 balls.
Gujarat Titans’ top order has been so dominant that there’s almost always a set batter heading into the death overs—a big reason why they’ve maintained a staggering run rate of 13.31 in that phase, second-best in the league this season.
Jos Buttler, now anchoring Gujarat Titans’ innings at No. 3, remains an iconic figure in Rajasthan Royals’ history. With 3,055 runs, he is their second-highest run scorer of all time, trailing only Sanju Samson, who leads with 3,879 runs. Buttler enters this clash with a point to prove—and a favourable history against Jofra Archer in T20s. In their past encounters, Buttler has scored 89 runs off 47 deliveries, falling to Archer just twice. That individual match-up adds extra intrigue as he lines up against his former franchise.
They say you can experience all four seasons in a day—and according to Shane Bond, you can live through them all in a single T20 match at the Narendra Modi Stadium. Speaking ahead of Rajasthan Royals’ upcoming clash with Gujarat Titans, the RR bowling coach offered a vivid and insightful comparison for the grandest arena in cricket.
“It (the stadium) is intimidating. The ball gets a bit softer, wetter, and then suddenly batting becomes a little bit easier. It’s going to be dewy, but teams have still won more batting first than second. So the toss is almost irrelevant,” Bond remarked.
While his statement isn’t entirely backed by stats—chasing teams have won 12 times here, compared to nine wins for those setting a target—it captures the unpredictable nature of this venue. Dew is expected to be a key factor, yet as Punjab Kings demonstrated in the season opener, defending a total is certainly not out of the question.
Rajasthan’s bowling unit has been equally impressive. Jofra Archer has consistently set the tone with the new ball, while Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana have brought control and guile through the middle overs, effectively stifling opposition scoring.
That said, Rajasthan’s spinners have held their own. With 11 wickets so far—second only to Chennai Super Kings—their spin department has quietly been among the most effective. Maheesh Theekshana has even taken on the challenge of bowling at the death, conceding just 18 runs and grabbing a wicket in 18 balls. Wanindu Hasaranga has been deployed strictly in the middle overs, and his consistency has paid off—only R Sai Kishore and Noor Ahmad have taken more wickets than him so far this season (8 each).
However, it’s at the top of the order where the Royals still have room for improvement. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sanju Samson are yet to fully fire, though Jaiswal’s fluent 67 in the last outing was a step in the right direction. Should both click together, Rajasthan could elevate their game to a whole new level.
Rajasthan Royals have already experienced that curve this season. With Yashasvi Jaiswal struggling for consistency and Sanju Samson easing back from injury, their middle order was put under pressure. Yet, the back-up brigade stepped up impressively, scripting a memorable win against Chennai Super Kings in Guwahati last week.
At this stage, Nitish Rana and company seem a touch more battle-hardened compared to Shahrukh Khan and his fellow middle-order counterparts—offering RR a slight edge in terms of resilience under pressure.
With two sharp bowling attacks on show, this contest could ultimately hinge on the batters. The team that best negotiates the conditions, handles scoreboard pressure, and manages the dew may well emerge victorious. At a venue as unpredictable as the Narendra Modi Stadium, nothing is ever cut and dried.
Gujarat Titans vs Rajasthan Royals: Head-to-head
GT lead 5-1 against RR, with the Royals’ lone victory over the Titans coming in Ahmedabad back in 2023.
- Matches Played: 6
- Won by Gujarat Titans: 5
- Won by Rajasthan Royals: 1
- Tied: 0
- No Result: 0
- First-ever Fixture: April 14, 2022
- Most-recent Fixture: April 10, 2024
Gujarat Titans vs Rajasthan Royals: Pitch Report and Weather Conditions
Ahmedabad provides two types of pitches: the slower, lower black soil track and the livelier red soil one with extra bounce and pace. Despite the variety, scoring has remained brisk here, with a run rate of 9.76 per over—second only to Hyderabad’s 10.16 this season.
A high-scoring match remains likely, though expecting a complete run-fest might be premature. The Titans are expected to stick with a black soil pitch like the one used against Mumbai Indians, which made shot-making more challenging. Still, teams batting second should be prepared to chase something around the 190-200 mark.
Gujarat Titans vs Rajasthan Royals: Team News and Predicted XI
Gujarat Titans – Team News
Kagiso Rabada remains unavailable for Gujarat Titans, having returned home due to a personal emergency. There is still no update on his return, but his absence is not related to any injury or fitness issue. In the meantime, Ishant Sharma could continue featuring as the Impact Sub.
Gujarat’s top three—Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, and Jos Buttler—have carried the bulk of the scoring load this season, with at least one of them registering a 50-plus score in every match. At Ahmedabad, all three boast averages over 50 and strike rates above 150, underlining their dominance at the venue.
However, they’ll face a serious challenge from a red-hot Jofra Archer, who has been in excellent rhythm. Additionally, the Titans will need to navigate the threat of Rajasthan’s spin duo—Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana—with caution.
Gujarat Titans – Predicted XI
- Shubman Gill (capt)
- B Sai Sudharsan
- Jos Buttler (wk)
- Sherfane Rutherford
- Shahrukh Khan
- Rahul Tewatia
- Arshad Khan/Washington Sundar
- Rashid Khan
- R Sai Kishore
- Mohammed Shami
- Prasidh Krishna
- Ishant Sharma
Rajasthan Royals – Team News
Rajasthan Royals have no injury concerns heading into the match. With Sanju Samson back leading the side and Yashasvi Jaiswal finding form at the top, the team looked settled in their previous outing. Given the recent performance and balance, there’s little reason for the Royals to tinker with their playing XI.
For a strong showing, RR will be banking on substantial contributions from Jaiswal and Samson. To do so, they’ll need to counter Gujarat’s pace attack, particularly the in-form Mohammed Siraj, who has been consistently striking early.
In the death overs, Shimron Hetmyer will play a crucial role—whether setting a target or chasing one. His ability to handle spin threats like Rashid Khan and R Sai Kishore, as well as the disciplined pace of Prasidh Krishna, could prove decisive.
Rajasthan Royals – Predicted XI
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Sanju Samson (capt & wk)
- Riyan Parag
- Nitish Rana
- Dhruv Jurel
- Shimron Hetmyer
- Wanindu Hasaranga
- Jofra Archer
- Kumar Kartikeya/Shubham Dubey
- Maheesh Theekshana
- Yudhvir Singh/Tushar Deshpande,
- Sandeep Sharma
Gujarat Titans vs Rajasthan Royals: Players To Look Out For
Sherfane Rutherford (Gujarat Titans)
Sherfane Rutherford was picked up by the Titans at his base price during the IPL auction in November—a reflection of his underwhelming numbers at the time: just 106 runs from nine innings, averaging 15 at a strike rate of 102. It’s worth noting, however, that he batted at No. 6 or lower in six of those appearances.
This season, the Titans have shown greater trust in his abilities by promoting him up the order—and it’s paying off. Rutherford has amassed 129 runs in four innings so far, boasting an impressive average of 64.5 and a striking strike rate of 176.71.
Jofra Archer (Rajasthan Royals)
When Jofra Archer is in rhythm, he’s nothing short of a spectacle—and the opening over of his last outing made that abundantly clear. He was clocking close to 150kph, generating seam movement, and crashing into the stumps with trademark precision. Despite a career repeatedly disrupted by injuries, Archer looks to have regained his edge.
Come Tuesday, the Royals will be counting on him to dismantle one of the Titans’ key batting pillars. His T20 head-to-head against Shubman Gill speaks volumes: just nine runs conceded off 13 deliveries, with two dismissals.
Gujarat Titans vs Rajasthan Royals: Prediction
Scenario 1
- Toss: Gujarat Titans win the toss and bowl
- Powerplay Score: 60-70
- Rajasthan Royals Total: 200-210
- Match Result: Gujarat Titans win the match
Scenario 2
- Toss: Rajasthan Royals win the toss and bowl
- Powerplay Score: 55-65
- Gujarat Titans Total: 200-210
- Match Result: Gujarat Titans win the match
When and Where To Watch Gujarat Titans vs Rajasthan Royals LIVE? Broadcast and Streaming Details
The Indian Premier League 2025 clash between Gujarat Titans and Rajasthan Royals is set to begin at 7:30 PM IST on Wednesday, April 9, at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. The match will be broadcast live on the Star Sports network and will also be available for live streaming on JioHotstar for FREE.
Read More: IPL 2025: Pooran Blitz, Marsh Masterclass Sink KKR in Run-Fest
FAQs
Who won more matches between Gujarat Titans and Rajasthan Royals in the IPL?
Rajasthan Royals have won 5 out of the 6 matches played against Gujarat Titans.
What is the pitch condition at Ahmedabad for IPL 2025?
Ahmedabad features both black and red soil pitches, but GT is likely to opt for the slower black soil surface used against MI.
Is Kagiso Rabada playing for Gujarat Titans against Rajasthan Royals?
No, Kagiso Rabada remains unavailable due to a personal emergency and is not part of the Titans squad.
Who are the key players for Rajasthan Royals against GT?
Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Shimron Hetmyer will be crucial with the bat, while Jofra Archer leads the pace attack.
How has Sherfane Rutherford performed for Gujarat Titans this season?
Rutherford has scored 129 runs in 4 innings at a strike rate of 176.71, repaying GT’s faith after a modest IPL record before 2025.
