The Indian Premier League 2026 is off to a flying start, and all eyes turned to the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad as the Gujarat Titans faced off against the Rajasthan Royals in match nine of the tournament. This fixture, held on April 4, marked the Titans’ first home game of the season, and the anticipation was palpable as fans filled the stands, eager to see if GT could rebound from a tough opening loss.
Gujarat Titans, last season’s finalists and 2022 champions, entered this clash desperate for their first win of IPL 2026. Their campaign began on a sour note, suffering a narrow three-wicket defeat to Punjab Kings. Despite posting a competitive 162/6, the Titans’ bowlers couldn’t hold their nerve in the final overs, allowing Punjab Kings to snatch victory with five balls to spare. Shubman Gill, the regular captain and India’s current ODI and Test skipper, top-scored with 39, while Jos Buttler chipped in with 38. Prasidh Krishna was the standout with the ball, grabbing three wickets for just 29 runs in his four-over spell.
In stark contrast, Rajasthan Royals stormed into Ahmedabad brimming with confidence. Their opening match saw them dismantle the Chennai Super Kings by eight wickets in Guwahati. The Royals’ bowlers, led by Jofra Archer, Nandre Burger, and Ravindra Jadeja—each claiming two wickets—bundled CSK out for a paltry 127. Young opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi then lit up the chase, blasting a stunning 52 off just 17 deliveries, with Yashasvi Jaiswal adding a fluent 38. RR wrapped up the target inside 13 overs, sending a clear message to the rest of the league.
But the build-up to the GT vs RR clash took an unexpected turn at the toss. Shubman Gill was ruled out due to a muscle spasm, forcing star Afghan spinner Rashid Khan to step in as Gujarat’s stand-in captain. "Gill has a muscle spasm, hopefully he will be back soon," Rashid Khan revealed at the toss, adding, "KK (Kumar Kushagra) is playing his first game and look forward to see him play. We need to bring out 100%." Gill’s absence meant Kumar Kushagra slotted into the playing XI, making his debut in a high-pressure scenario.
Rajasthan Royals’ young captain Riyan Parag, who has impressed with his leadership and all-round abilities, won the toss and elected to bat first—a decision that would test the Titans’ bowling attack under the lights. RR also made two changes, bringing in Tushar Deshpande and Shubham Dubey for Brijesh Sharma and Ravi Bishnoi, aiming to keep their lineup dynamic and adaptable.
Both teams named five impact players for the match, a tactical move that could prove decisive in such a closely matched contest. For GT, the impact players were Shahrukh Khan, Jason Holder, Manav Suthar, Anuj Rawat, and Jayant Yadav. RR countered with Ravi Singh, Shubham Dubey, Luah-du Pretorius, Brijesh Sharma, and Ravi Bishnoi. With the IPL’s impact player rule allowing for strategic substitutions, all eyes were on how these selections might shift the balance as the game progressed.
The confirmed playing XIs reflected both teams’ strengths and adaptability. Gujarat Titans lined up with Sai Sudharsan, Kumar Kushagra, Jos Buttler, Washington Sundar, Glenn Phillips, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Mohammed Siraj, Ashok Sharma, Kagiso Rabada, and Prasidh Krishna. Rajasthan Royals fielded Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, Riyan Parag (captain), Shimron Hetmyer, Donovan Ferreira, Ravindra Jadeja, Jofra Archer, Nandre Burger, Tushar Deshpande, and Sandeep Sharma. The blend of international stars and homegrown talent promised a riveting contest.
Historically, the Titans have held the upper hand in this rivalry, winning six of their eight previous encounters with the Royals. Who could forget the IPL 2022 final at this very venue, when GT clinched the title with a commanding seven-wicket win? However, RR’s most recent triumph over the Titans was nothing short of sensational—Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s blistering 101 off 38 balls powered the Royals to a 210-run chase in under 16 overs at Jaipur, proving that momentum can swing rapidly in T20 cricket.
The Ahmedabad pitch, known for its large boundaries and true bounce, was expected to slightly favor the Titans, particularly their bowling unit led by Rashid Khan and Mohammed Siraj. Yet, RR’s pace duo of Jofra Archer and Nandre Burger were also tipped to exploit any early movement, challenging GT’s top order. With both teams boasting strong middle-order depth, quick running between the wickets and strike rotation were set to play crucial roles. The Royals’ athletic batting lineup, especially with the likes of Parag, Jaiswal, and Hetmyer, could thrive in the quick-scoring conditions, but GT’s familiarity with their home ground was an undeniable advantage.
The Narendra Modi Stadium itself has witnessed some remarkable cricketing feats. The highest team total here is 243/5, set by Punjab Kings against GT in 2025, while the lowest is GT’s own 89/10 against Delhi Capitals in 2024. Shubman Gill holds the record for the highest individual score at the venue—an explosive 129 against Mumbai Indians in 2023. Mohit Sharma’s 5/10 against MI in 2023 remains the best bowling performance, and the record for the highest partnership belongs to Gill and Sai Sudharsan, who put on 210 for the first wicket against CSK in 2024. Batting first at this ground has proven successful 70% of the time, with an average first-innings score of 185 and a winning score of 193.
As the match unfolded, fans tuned in across the country, catching the action live on the Star Sports Network or streaming on the JioHotstar app. The stakes were high for both sides: GT needed to break their early-season duck, while RR aimed to maintain their unbeaten run and solidify their status as early contenders for the playoffs.
With the action still ongoing at the Narendra Modi Stadium, the outcome remains up in the air. Will the Titans’ home advantage and strategic impact player choices help them bounce back, or can the Royals’ momentum and explosive batting carry them to another statement victory? One thing’s for sure—the IPL 2026 is delivering drama, surprises, and unforgettable cricket moments, and this GT vs RR clash is shaping up to be another classic chapter in the league’s storied history.