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The 2026 Indian Premier League season continues its electrifying pace with Match No. 9, featuring a high-voltage clash between the Gujarat Titans (GT) and the Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Saturday, April 4th. Coming off a narrow yet disappointing loss in their campaign opener against Punjab Kings, the Gujarat Titans are under immediate pressure to correct their course.
After posting a modest 163 runs, Shubman Gill’s men watched the opposition chase it down with relative ease, exposing a need for greater synergy between their batting depth and bowling attack. While individual performances showed flashes of brilliance, the Titans failed to apply sustained pressure, a flaw they cannot afford to repeat against a confident Rajasthan side.
Conversely, the Rajasthan Royals could not have asked for a better start to their season, having secured a commanding victory over the Chennai Super Kings in Guwahati. However, this match marks their first away fixture of 2026, and the move to the fast-paced surface of Ahmedabad presents a completely different challenge. The Royals, led by Riyan Parag, will need to prove their mettle outside their comfort zone.
Historically, the Narendra Modi Stadium has been a fortress for teams batting first, with seven of nine games last season won by the side defending a total. The outfield is lightning quick, rewarding clean striking, while pacers find consistent assistance under lights. This sets up a fascinating tactical battle: GT’s need for redemption against RR’s ambition to conquer away conditions.
Match Details
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Gujarat Titans vs Rajasthan Royals, 9th T20 |
| Date | Saturday, April 4th, 2026 |
| Time | 7:00 PM IST |
| Venue | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad |
| Head to Head | Played: 8 (GT: 6 Wins, RR: 2 Wins) |
| Last Result | RR won on April 28, 2025 |
Team Preview: Gujarat Titans (GT)
The Shubman Gill-led Gujarat Titans enter this contest with a point to prove after their opening-day blues. Their 163-run total against Punjab Kings was at least 20 runs short of par on a good batting track, and the bowling unit, despite having the wily Rashid Khan and the pace of Kagiso Rabada, failed to create breakthroughs in the middle overs. The top order, including Gill and Sai Sudharsan, looked fluent but couldn’t convert starts into substantial scores. The absence of a powerful finish from the middle order, apart from Rahul Tewatia’s cameo, remains a concern. Jos Buttler, who kept wickets in the last game, will be eager to stamp his authority against his former IPL rivals. The Titans’ think tank might consider promoting Glenn Phillips higher up to inject aggression.
On the bowling front, Mohammed Siraj will be crucial; his ability to swing the new ball and nail yorkers at the death makes him the linchpin of the pace attack. The impact player rule allows them to bring in Prasidh Krishna for extra pace, which could be decisive on a surface that aids quick bowlers. The key for GT is to bat first and post a total above 175, utilizing their deep batting order. Gill’s captaincy will be tested against a power-packed RR opening pair. With home crowd support and a superior head-to-head record (6-2) against the Royals, GT has the psychological edge. However, they need to convert that history into on-field execution. Expect a revitalized performance from the Titans, focusing on high-intensity fielding and smart middle-over bowling to restrict RR’s explosive batters. The franchise knows another loss would put them in an early hole, so desperation for two points will drive their intensity on Saturday night.
Team Preview: Rajasthan Royals (RR)
The Rajasthan Royals arrive in Ahmedabad brimming with confidence after dismantling Chennai Super Kings in their opener. The most exciting narrative for RR is the meteoric rise of 15-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi, whose fearless strokeplay at the top of the order has given them the aggressive platform they have often craved. Alongside the elegant Yashasvi Jaiswal, who plays the anchor role perfectly, this opening duo has the potential to take the game away from any bowling attack within the powerplay. Captain Riyan Parag looks more assured than ever, providing stability in the middle order, while the raw power of Shimron Hetmyer and the all-round brilliance of Ravindra Jadeja offer incredible depth. Jadeja’s inclusion is a masterstroke, offering left-arm spin control and lightning-fast fielding.
However, the Royals’ biggest test in Ahmedabad will be their bowling attack. Jofra Archer, returning from injury spells, looked sharp but not yet at his 100% best. The pace combination of Nandre Burger and Sandeep Sharma must adapt to a venue that rewards hit-the-deck bowling but can also punish any width. Ravi Bishnoi will be their trump card in the middle overs against GT’s right-hand heavy lineup. The challenge for RR will be handling the pressure of an away fixture in a massive stadium. Their batting is explosive, but if they lose early wickets, the middle order (Jurel, Hetmyer) hasn’t been tested yet. Playing first or second will dictate their strategy; given Ahmedabad’s trend of favoring teams batting first, winning the toss might tempt Parag to bat and set a target rather than chase. RR has historically struggled against GT, losing six out of eight encounters, but their current form and youthful exuberance make them dangerous underdogs.
Team Squad
Gujarat Titans (GT): Shubman Gill (c), Jos Buttler (wk), Sai Sudharsan, Glenn Phillips, Washington Sundar, Shahrukh Khan, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Kagiso Rabada, Ashok Sharma, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Jason Holder, Jayant Yadav, Manav Suthar, Kumar Kushagra, R Sai Kishore, Ishant Sharma, Luke Wood, Tom Banton, Kulwant Khejroliya, Anuj Rawat, Arshad Khan, Gurnoor Brar, Nishant Sindhu.
Rajasthan Royals (RR): Riyan Parag (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Ravindra Jadeja, Jofra Archer, Nandre Burger, Sandeep Sharma, Ravi Bishnoi, Brijesh Sharma, Donovan Ferreira, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Ravi Singh, Sushant Mishra, Tushar Deshpande, Adam Milne, Dasun Shanaka, Kuldeep Sen, Yudhvir Singh, Shubham Dubey, Kwena Maphaka, Vignesh Puthur, Aman Rao.
Probable Playing XI
Gujarat Titans (GT): Shubman Gill (c), Sai Sudharsan, Jos Buttler (wk), Glenn Phillips, Washington Sundar, Shahrukh Khan, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj, Ashok Sharma. (Impact Player: Prasidh Krishna)
Rajasthan Royals (RR): Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Riyan Parag (c), Dhruv Jurel (wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Ravindra Jadeja, Jofra Archer, Nandre Burger, Sandeep Sharma, Ravi Bishnoi, Brijesh Sharma.
Fantasy Team XI
| Role | Player Name | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Batter | Yashasvi Jaiswal | RR |
| Batter | Shubman Gill (vc) | GT |
| Batter | Sai Sudharsan | GT |
| Wicket-Keeper | Jos Buttler | GT |
| All-Rounder | Ravindra Jadeja | RR |
| All-Rounder | Riyan Parag | RR |
| All-Rounder | Washington Sundar | GT |
| Bowler | Rashid Khan (c) | GT |
| Bowler | Jofra Archer | RR |
| Bowler | Mohammed Siraj | GT |
| Bowler | Ravi Bishnoi | RR |
This fantasy XI is constructed to balance consistent run-scorers with wicket-taking bowlers on Ahmedabad’s pace-friendly pitch. Rashid Khan is selected as captain due to his incredible record at this venue and against RR’s middle order, almost guaranteeing a wicket and economical overs. Shubman Gill as vice-captain offers safe floor points, as he is due for a big score on his home ground. The opening combination of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudharsan ensures runs from the powerplay, while Jos Buttler provides explosive wicket-keeping points. Ravindra Jadeja is a must-have all-rounder because he contributes in batting, bowling, and fielding (catches/run-outs). Riyan Parag’s current form with the bat and occasional leg-spin makes him a high-upside pick. Among bowlers, Jofra Archer and Mohammed Siraj are lethal with the new ball and at the death on this surface. Ravi Bishnoi is selected as a differential spinner who can exploit any turn and pick middle-order wickets. Washington Sundar adds batting depth and can bowl economical overs in the powerplay. Avoid heavy dependency on middle-order finishers like Hetmyer or Tewatia, as their role is often too short to guarantee fantasy points.
Captain & Vice-Captain Picks
- Captain: Rashid Khan – With the pitch assisting pacers, batters will look to attack spin, which plays into Rashid’s hands. He has a strong head-to-head record against RR.
- Vice-Captain: Shubman Gill – Playing on his home turf and coming off a low score, Gill is a prime candidate to anchor the innings and score 50+ runs.
Players to Avoid in Fantasy Team
- Shimron Hetmyer (RR): While powerful, he bats at No. 5 or 6 and often faces only 10-15 balls. On a tricky pitch, his low volume of deliveries makes him a risky pick.
- Shahrukh Khan (GT): His role is similarly limited to a late-hitting finisher. Unless there is a collapse, he won’t bat enough, and he doesn’t bowl, offering very low fantasy returns.
Pitch Report
The Narendra Modi Stadium pitch is a batter’s paradise initially, but the real advantage goes to the team bowling first under lights. The black soil surface offers good bounce and carry, allowing pacers to hit the deck hard. In the 2025 season, seven out of nine matches were won by teams batting first, with an average first-innings score of 170+. Spinners like Rashid Khan become effective only after the ball gets old due to the large boundaries (65-70 meters straight). Dew is a minimal factor in April, so toss-winning captains strongly prefer to bat first, put runs on the board, and let the scoreboard pressure work in their favor.
Weather Report
Clear skies are forecast for Saturday evening in Ahmedabad. The temperature will hover around 32°C with humidity near 45%. No rain is expected, ensuring a full 40-over contest under pleasant night conditions.
Toss Prediction
Toss Winner: Gujarat Titans. Given the venue’s strong historical trend favoring batting first, Shubman Gill is likely to call correctly. Expect the home captain to bat first and aim for a total above 170 runs to defend under lights.
Probable Best Batter & Bowler
Probable Best Batter: Vaibhav Suryavanshi (RR) – There appears to be no stopping the 15-year-old sensation. His fearless, attack-from-ball-one mindset makes him a game-changer. On a quick outfield, his power-hitting over the infield will put immediate pressure on GT’s new-ball bowlers. Expect him to score a quickfire 40+ runs in the powerplay.
Probable Best Bowler: Mohammed Siraj (GT) – The Motera pitch is tailor-made for Siraj’s skill set. With the new ball, he generates both swing and seam movement. At the death, his pinpoint yorkers are almost unplayable. Against RR’s aggressive openers, Siraj is GT’s best bet to break partnerships early. Look for him to claim 2-3 wickets.
Match Prediction
Our Winner: Gujarat Titans will bounce back strongly on their home turf. Despite RR’s impressive start, GT’s superior head-to-head record (6 wins) and the Narendra Modi Stadium’s trend of favoring the home team batting first give them the edge. Expect Shubman Gill to lead from the front, and Rashid Khan to exploit the middle overs, securing a 12-15 run victory for the Titans.
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