Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) faced off against Gujarat Titans (GT) in the 19th match of IPL 2025 on Sunday, April 6, at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. In a crucial toss, GT captain Shubman Gill won and decided to bowl first, a decision that reflects the team's confidence after securing back-to-back victories in their last two matches.
Gujarat Titans have been riding high on momentum, having previously defeated Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bengaluru after an initial loss in the tournament. They were eager to continue their winning streak against a struggling SRH side, who were desperate to break a three-match losing streak and revive their campaign.
In a notable lineup change, Washington Sundar made his debut for GT, replacing pacer Arshad Khan, who had struggled to make an impact in the season. Sundar, who was picked for INR 3.2 crore in the IPL 2025 mega auction, had been waiting for this opportunity to showcase his skills after limited appearances in the previous season.
On the other hand, SRH made a significant adjustment as well, bringing in veteran left-arm pacer Jaydev Unadkat to replace the ill Harshal Patel. Unadkat, who was acquired for INR 1 crore, brings a wealth of experience to the squad, having played for several franchises throughout his IPL career.
As the teams took to the field, the pitch conditions were a topic of discussion. Gill noted that the surface appeared to be slow and different from previous matches, which could play a crucial role in the game. He stated, "We will bowl first. Looks like a slowish wicket playing on the black soil so different from the previous two games. It's a very good wicket. The ball just flies. We have been batting and bowling well. The message is to adapt to the conditions as soon as possible and capitalise."
Meanwhile, SRH captain Pat Cummins expressed his team's desire to be aggressive with the bat, despite their recent struggles. He mentioned, "We were going to bowl, but more than happy to bat first. Look, I hope not. Always wanted our guys to be aggressive. We scored 280 odd in the first game and then 190 odd in the second game. So, we like to bat and put runs on the board here."
The playing XI for Gujarat Titans included: Shubman Gill (c), B Sai Sudharsan, Jos Buttler (wk), Rahul Tewatia, Shahrukh Khan, Rashid Khan, Washington Sundar, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and Ishant Sharma. For Sunrisers Hyderabad, the lineup featured Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), Aniket Verma, Kamindu Mendis, Pat Cummins (c), Zeeshan Ansari, Jaydev Unadkat, and Mohammed Shami.
The stakes were high for both teams. SRH, having lost their last three matches, needed a victory to regain their footing in the tournament. Their recent defeats came against strong teams like Lucknow Super Giants, Delhi Capitals, and Kolkata Knight Riders, leaving them at the bottom of the points table. The pressure was mounting, and a win was essential to turn their season around.
On the other hand, GT's recent form had them optimistic. With their top-order trio of Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill, and Jos Buttler combining for an impressive 437 runs in just three matches, they were looking to extend their winning streak. The Titans were keen on asserting their dominance in the league, and a victory against SRH would solidify their position in the standings.
As the match progressed, with GT opting to bowl first, the dynamics of the game were poised to shift depending on how well SRH could recover from their recent setbacks. With Unadkat's return to the SRH lineup, the team hoped his experience would bolster their bowling attack, especially in the death overs, where they had struggled significantly this season.
Unadkat's career has seen him represent multiple franchises since his debut in 2010 with Kolkata Knight Riders, and he has amassed over 100 wickets in his IPL journey. His ability to execute variations, particularly in pressure situations, could prove invaluable for SRH as they sought to contain the explosive GT batting lineup.
With the match underway, fans were treated to an exciting display of cricket as both teams battled for crucial points. The atmosphere at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium was electric, with supporters rallying behind their respective teams. As the game unfolded, every wicket and boundary would be pivotal in determining the outcome of this high-stakes encounter.
In conclusion, the IPL 2025 clash between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Gujarat Titans promised to be a thrilling contest, with both teams having much to play for. SRH aimed to stop their losing streak, while GT sought to maintain their winning momentum. The stage was set for an unforgettable match that could shift the balance of the tournament.
