League leaders Gujarat Titans (GT) will face off against Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on Monday, April 28, in Match 47 of the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL).
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Rajasthan Royals vs Gujarat Titans: Preview
Rajasthan Royals’ return to their home city of Jaipur after two weeks is expected to be uncomfortably hot—and it’s not just the summer heat that poses a challenge. With three consecutive losses on the road since their last home game, their chances of qualifying for the playoffs are now limited to just a mathematical possibility.
As they return to the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, they face an opponent with different stakes. On paper, Gujarat Titans and Rajasthan Royals are in contrasting situations. One, with the joint-most wins this season, is aiming for the top spot in the league phase, while the other, with the joint-fewest wins, is fighting to avoid finishing last. This makes Monday evening’s contest crucial.
While the Titans enter the match with momentum and strong form, they won’t want to let the race for the top two spots become more unpredictable by slipping up in Jaipur, a ground where they remain unbeaten.
On the other hand, Rajasthan Royals’ situation wouldn’t have been as dire as it is now had they not come up short in three tight matches where they were in a winning position. But that’s not all. The absence of key contributions from their spinners, a dip in form from vital players, and the limited availability of their captain, Sanju Samson, have all played a role in leaving them with just two wins from nine games, none of which have come at their primary home ground.
There’s plenty of evidence to suggest that the Royals have been better than their current position on the points table indicates. However, that’s not offering much hope at the moment. The new season and the fresh challenges it has brought have taken a toll on the team. Despite still having a mathematical chance of making it to the playoffs, they seem to have already resigned themselves to their fate—perhaps seeking relief from the relentless heat.
Rajasthan Royals need not look further than the 2024 example of Royal Challengers Bangalore for inspiration. RCB made a thrilling late-season surge to the playoffs, winning six consecutive matches and qualifying with 14 points. For RR to match that, they need to string together five straight wins, but the real question is: do they have the belief to pull it off, especially after failing to finish three straightforward chases?
Their climb up the points table won’t be easy, particularly with Gujarat Titans standing in their way. Gujarat has quietly assembled one of the most well-rounded bowling units of IPL 2025, even though Rashid Khan has only shown flashes of his best form.
Prasidh Krishna, making his return to the IPL after a lengthy injury layoff, is in the form of his life, with 16 wickets at an average of 14.12 and an economy rate of 7.29. Left-arm spinner R Sai Kishore is also in fine shape, taking 12 wickets at 16.33 and an economy of 8.22. Additionally, Mohammed Siraj is bringing the heat, especially during the powerplay, with his pace and late swing.
Gujarat’s batting is just as strong. Shubman Gill and B Sai Sudharsan may not start with explosive fireworks, but they have perfected the art of building a solid innings. Their 448-run partnership is the highest by any pair this season. They further showcased their chemistry with a 114-run opening stand in their previous game against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at Eden Gardens.
Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill, and Jos Buttler – the former RR star – have faced more than 80 balls collectively in seven of Gujarat Titans’ eight matches. This strong top order has eased the pressure on a middle order that might appear slightly undercooked at first glance. However, they have stepped up when needed, such as when Rahul Tewatia played a match-winning knock to finish off a final-over chase against Delhi Capitals.
In contrast, Rajasthan Royals are still searching for the right combinations, despite being one of the fastest-scoring teams in the powerplay (10.38), alongside Punjab Kings (10.37). Their struggles stem from an inability to capitalize on Yashasvi Jaiswal’s strong starts and his recent surge in form.
Sanju Samson remains sidelined with an injury, and coach Rahul Dravid is uncertain about his recovery timeline. Meanwhile, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, and Shimron Hetmyer have all struggled to find their batting rhythm, with three seemingly straightforward chases unraveling in their last few games. The weight of the team’s fortunes seems to have fallen heavily on Jaiswal’s bat and Jofra Archer’s ball.
While Gujarat Titans are charging towards a top-two finish, Rajasthan Royals are simply trying to stay afloat, having now lost five consecutive matches.
Yashasvi Jaiswal of Rajasthan Royals is just 37 runs away from reaching 2000 IPL runs. He’ll become the third-fastest Indian to achieve this milestone, following Ruturaj Gaikwad (57 innings) and KL Rahul (60 innings). Jaiswal also leads the league this season with 15 sixes in the powerplay.
Jofra Archer has a favorable match-up against Gujarat Titans’ Shubman Gill in the IPL, having dismissed him three times in five innings. Gill has managed just 10 runs against Archer, with a strike rate of 67.
Shimron Hetmyer’s strike rate in the death overs has dropped significantly this season, falling from 200 and 192 in the last two years to 156 this season.
On the other hand, Gujarat Titans’ top three have been in superb form, averaging 53.9, the highest this season. Their middle-overs batting has seen a remarkable improvement from last year, with their strike rate soaring from 142 to 165, and their average more than doubling from 26.8 to 61.1.
Rajasthan Royals vs Gujarat Titans: Recent Form
Rajasthan Royals LLLLL (Last five, most recent first)
Gujarat Titans WWLWW
Rajasthan Royals vs Gujarat Titans: Head-to-Head
Gujarat Titans hold a 6-1 win-loss record against Rajasthan Royals, having triumphed in both of their matches in Jaipur.
- Matches Played: 7
- Won by Rajasthan Royals: 1
- Won by Gujarat Titans: 6
- Tied: 0
- No Result: 0
- First-ever Fixture: April 14, 2022
- Most-recent Fixture: April 9, 2025
Rajasthan Royals vs Gujarat Titans: Pitch Report and Weather Conditions
Since last year, the chasing team has won four of the seven games played in Jaipur, with the average first-innings score standing at 184. While daytime temperatures have soared above 40°C, the evenings will bring some relief, though the heat will still affect the players’ fitness levels.
Run-scoring in Jaipur hasn’t been straightforward, creating a balanced contest between batters and bowlers. A score in the range of 170-190 is likely to set the stage for an exciting match.
Rajasthan Royals vs Gujarat Titans: Team News and Predicted XI
Rajasthan Royals – Team News
Sanju Samson will remain unavailable, with Riyan Parag stepping in as captain once again. Tushar Deshpande had a tough outing in RR’s last match, conceding 36 runs in two wicketless overs, and has failed to bowl his full quota in three of their last five games. Akash Madhwal could be a strong contender to replace him.
Jofra Archer may play a pivotal role at the start of the innings, having dismissed Shubman Gill three times in their 15-ball encounter in the IPL. Gill has managed just 10 runs against Archer. His struggles continue against the other Royals pacers as well, with Akash Madhwal and Tushar Deshpande each dismissing him twice, and Gill has only a 65.62 strike rate against Sandeep Sharma.
Rajasthan Royals – Predicted XI
- Vaibhav Suryavanshi
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Nitish Rana
- Riyan Parag (capt)
- Dhruv Jurel
- Shimron Hetmyer
- Shubham Dubey
- Wanindu Hasaranga
- Sandeep Sharma
- Jofra Archer
- Fazalhaq Farooqi
- Akash Madhwal
Gujarat Titans – Team News
Kagiso Rabada and Gerald Coetzee are expected to be unavailable for the match, while Gujarat Titans appear well-set and are likely to remain unchanged.
Mohammed Siraj, with the highest dot-ball percentage this season, could prove crucial in restricting the Royals’ batters during the powerplay, a phase where they have been dominant.
Gujarat Titans – Predicted XI
- B Sai Sudharsan
- Shubman Gill (capt)
- Jos Buttler
- Sherfane Rutherford
- M Shahrukh Khan
- Rahul Tewatia
- Rashid Khan
- Washington Sundar
- R Sai Kishore
- Mohammed Siraj
- Prasidh Krishna
- Ishant Sharma
Rajasthan Royals vs Gujarat Titans: Players To Watch Out For
Dhruv Jurel (Rajasthan Royals)
Dhruv Jurel has struggled against spin, with his strike rate of 105 this season clearly reflecting this weakness. RCB exploited this in their previous encounter, using Krunal Pandya and Suyash Sharma to apply pressure.
However, Jurel has a much better strike rate of 195 against pace, suggesting he could be more effective when facing fast bowlers. A potential batting order change for RR might help maximize his strengths.
Prasidh Krishna (Gujarat Titans)
Free from injuries and clear on his role as a hit-the-deck, middle-overs bowler, Prasidh Krishna is having a stellar return to the IPL after two challenging years on the sidelines.
His economy rate of 5.3 is the best in the middle overs this season among bowlers who have bowled a minimum of 15 overs. Krishna is also tied for the highest wicket tally, alongside Josh Hazlewood.
Rajasthan Royals vs Gujarat Titans: Prediction
Scenario 1
- Toss: Rajasthan Royals win the toss and bowl
- Powerplay Score: 50-60
- Gujarat Titans Total: 190-210
- Match Result: Gujarat Titans win the match
Scenario 2
- Toss: Gujarat Titans win the toss and bowl
- Powerplay Score: 45-55
- Rajasthan Royals Total: 180-190
- Match Result: Gujarat Titans win the match
When and Where To Watch Rajasthan Royals vs Gujarat Titans LIVE? Broadcast and Streaming Details
The Indian Premier League 2025 clash between Rajasthan Royals and Gujarat Titans is set to begin at 7:30 PM IST on Monday, April 28, at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur. The match will be broadcast live on the Star Sports network and will also be available for live streaming on JioHotstar for FREE.
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FAQs
What is Rajasthan Royals’ current form in IPL 2025?
Rajasthan Royals are struggling with five consecutive losses, and their chances of playoff qualification depend on a strong comeback, requiring five straight wins.
How has Gujarat Titans’ bowling performed in IPL 2025?
Gujarat Titans boast a well-rounded bowling attack, featuring Prasidh Krishna’s sensational form, R Sai Kishore’s consistency, and Mohammed Siraj’s powerplay effectiveness.
What is Yashasvi Jaiswal’s record in IPL 2025?
Yashasvi Jaiswal is 37 runs away from reaching 2,000 IPL runs and leads the league with 15 powerplay sixes this season.
Which players are crucial for Rajasthan Royals against Gujarat Titans?
Jofra Archer’s match-up against Shubman Gill is vital, with Archer having dismissed Gill three times in five innings, while Jaiswal’s batting is key for RR.
What is the playing condition in Jaipur for IPL 2025?
Jaipur’s weather will be scorching, with day temperatures exceeding 40°C, impacting player fitness. Expect scores between 170-190 in challenging conditions.
