IPL 2026, Match 9: Gujarat Titans vs Rajasthan Royals Match Preview

Gujarat Titans (GT) take on Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Match No. 9 of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 in what promises to be an exciting clash between two in-form sides. The match will be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, on Saturday, April 4.

The Titans will be eager to bounce back after a narrow defeat against Punjab Kings in their campaign opener at New Chandigarh. GT posted a competitive 162/6 in their 20 overs, but their bowling unit couldn’t quite hold their nerve in the chase as PBKS got over the line with five balls to spare. Despite the loss, there were positives for Gujarat, particularly with the bat, as they managed to put up a fighting total. However, their bowlers will need to step up, especially in crunch moments, if they are to return to winning ways.

On the other hand, Rajasthan Royals come into this contest brimming with confidence after a dominant win over Chennai Super Kings in Guwahati in their opener. RR bundled out CSK for just 127 in 19.4 overs, with Jofra Archer and Nandre Burger leading the charge with the ball. In reply, the Royals made a mockery of the chase, reaching the target in just 12.1 overs. Youngster Vaibhav Suryavanshi stole the show with a sensational 52 off just 17 balls, while Yashasvi Jaiswal provided solid support at the other end. 

Both teams possess a well-rounded squad with explosive batters and quality bowlers. While Gujarat Titans will be keen to iron out their bowling concerns, Rajasthan Royals will look to continue their aggressive brand of cricket. 

GT vs RR: Match Details

GT vs RR: Head-to-Head record

Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad: Pitch Report

The pitch at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, is known to be a batting paradise. It is largely a batting pitch with some assistance to the fast bowlers as well. In 18 T20 matches, the average first innings score is 178, which suggests the flat nature of the wicket. So, we can expect a high-scoring thriller between GT and RR. 

RR vs RR: Predicted Playing XI

Gujarat Titans (GT):

Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (c), Jos Buttler (wk), Washington Sundar, Glenn Phillips, M Shahrukh Khan, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Kagiso Rabada, Ashok Sharma, Mohammed Siraj

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

Impact Player: Donovan Ferreira