Gujarat Titans vs Rajasthan Royals: The Gujarat Titans seem to have rediscovered their mojo in IPL 2025. After a dramatic start with a heavy defeat to Punjab Kings, they’ve bounced back with clinical precision—winning three consecutive matches and emerging as one of the most balanced teams this season. Their next challenge? A spirited Rajasthan Royals side hungry to convert potential into consistent performance.
As the two teams lock horns on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, fans can expect fireworks under the lights in what promises to be a clash of flair, fire, and fierce competitiveness.
Gujarat Titans: The Bowling Brigade Leads the Way
There’s something about this GT side that exudes quiet dominance. While their top-three—Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, and the ever-dangerous Jos Buttler—have done the heavy lifting with the bat, it’s the bowling attack that has set them apart.
Despite Rashid Khan’s relatively quiet campaign, left-arm spinner R Sai Kishore has stepped up brilliantly, picking up 8 wickets in four matches. But it’s the pace battery, particularly Mohammed Siraj, who has stolen the spotlight. With 6 Powerplay wickets, Siraj has given GT dream starts, time and again.
Coach Ashish Nehra’s fast-bowling philosophy is in full bloom. Since that opening-night carnage by PBKS, no team has crossed the 175-run mark against Gujarat. The bowlers are not just containing; they’re choking opposition line-ups with ruthless discipline.
Even skipper Shubman Gill, though yet to hit peak form, found some rhythm with a gritty fifty against SRH, while Sai Sudharsan continues to impress with his calm, calculated approach at the top.
Rajasthan Royals: Inconsistency Amid Flashes of Brilliance
The Royals’ campaign has been a tale of two halves—moments of magic followed by lapses in execution. After being decimated by SRH’s 286-run onslaught in the opening fixture, RR have done well to stitch together victories against Chennai Super Kings and Punjab Kings.
The return to form of Jofra Archer has been nothing short of sensational. Clocking high speeds and swinging the new ball both ways, Archer has looked like the enforcer Rajasthan desperately needed. His record in IPL’s first over is phenomenal—8 wickets in just 13 games, conceding at a frugal 3.54 runs per over.
Spin twins Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga have brought variety and control in the middle overs, playing pivotal roles in RR’s bounce-back wins.
With the bat, Sanju Samson, Nitish Rana, and Yashasvi Jaiswal have all made important contributions, while Shimron Hetmyer and Dhruv Jurel have added late-order fireworks. Unlike GT, RR have spread the batting responsibility across the lineup—a healthy sign heading into tougher fixtures.
Key Matchups to Watch
- Jos Buttler vs Jofra Archer: The Englishmen know each other well, but it’s Buttler who holds the edge in the IPL. He has scored 89 runs off 47 balls from Archer, with a monstrous strike rate of 189.36, and has only been dismissed twice. This could be the face-off that sets the tone for the match.
- GT’s Top 3 at Narendra Modi Stadium: All three—Gill, Sudharsan, and Buttler—average over 50 and strike at 150+ at this venue. If they fire in unison, even a revamped Royals bowling unit may struggle to contain the damage.
- Siraj in the Powerplay vs RR’s Top Order: With Siraj hunting early breakthroughs, it will be crucial for RR openers to weather the early storm. If Jaiswal or Samson fall early, the Royals could be playing catch-up all evening.
Pitch & Conditions
The Narendra Modi Stadium pitch has offered contrasting personalities this season. The red-soil strip for the opener was a batting paradise. However, the black-soil pitch used against Mumbai Indians brought spinners and smart pacers into play. Expect a similar surface for this clash—runs on offer, but only for those who can read the pace and bounce smartly.
Head-to-Head: GT Dominates
GT have had the upper hand in this rivalry, leading 5-1 in the head-to-head. It’s a stat that underscores how well they’ve matched up against RR, both tactically and temperamentally.
Probable XIs
Gujarat Titans: Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (c), Jos Buttler (wk), Washington Sundar, Sherfane Rutherford, Rahul Tewatia, Shahrukh Khan, Rashid Khan, R Sai Kishore, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Ishant Sharma/Arshad Khan
Rajasthan Royals: Sanju Samson (c & wk), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Nitish Rana, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Shimron Hetmyer, Wanindu Hasaranga, Jofra Archer, Maheesh Theekshana, Sandeep Sharma, Kumar Kartikeya, Tushar Deshpande
This isn’t just a battle for points—it’s a clash of philosophies. Gujarat’s pace-dominated approach meets Rajasthan’s all-round flair. With both sides having enough firepower and no major injury concerns, Wednesday night in Ahmedabad could very well produce one of IPL 2025’s most thrilling encounters yet.
GT VS RR Live Streaming and Broadcast Details
Cricket fans across the globe can catch the live action of GT VS RR through various platforms:
- India: Star Sports Network, Disney+ Hotstar
- Pakistan: Tapmad TV
- United States: Willow TV
- United Kingdom: Sky Sports Cricket
- Australia: Fox Sports
Viewers traveling abroad can use VPN services like NordVPN or ExpressVPN to access their preferred streaming platforms.
