Match Overview
The Rajasthan Royals (RR) are set to face the Gujarat Titans (GT) in their second match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Gujarat on Saturday, 4th April. The match promises to be a thrilling encounter as both teams look to establish themselves in the tournament. The Rajasthan Royals aim to continue their winning streak and secure their second consecutive victory, while the Gujarat Titans seek to bounce back from their opening loss and regain their form.
Gujarat Titans’ Performance
Gujarat Titans started their IPL 2026 campaign with a tough loss against the Punjab Kings. Batting first, they managed to score 162 for the loss of 6 wickets in their 20 overs. Shubman Gill, Jos Buttler, and Glenn Phillips contributed some crucial runs, but the Punjab Kings proved too strong, securing a comfortable win in 19.1 overs. Prasidh Krishna was the standout performer for GT, taking three wickets in his four-over spell.
Rajasthan Royals’ Strong Start
On the other hand, the Rajasthan Royals made a powerful statement in their season opener. Led by Riyan Parag, they defeated the Chennai Super Kings with a dominant display. They bowled out CSK for just 127 runs and chased the target in just 12.1 overs. Nandre Burger and Jofra Archer were instrumental in the bowling department, while Vaibhav Sooryavanshi provided an explosive start with a 15-ball half-century. Yashasvi Jaiswal remained unbeaten on 38 runs, helping the team secure a convincing victory.
Match Details
- Match: GT vs RR 9th T20 IPL Match
- Date and Time: Saturday, April 4; 7:30 p.m. IST
- Venue: Narendra Modi Stadium, Gujarat
- Broadcasting and Live Streaming: TV – Star Sports Network, Live Stream – JioHotstar
Pitch and Weather Reports
The pitch at the Narendra Modi Stadium is known for being flat, which favors aggressive batting. Batters can expect strong pace and bounce, while fast bowlers may get assistance from the new ball. The average first-inning total at this venue is expected to be around 175.
The weather is expected to be humid and partly cloudy, with only a 10% chance of rain. The temperatures will likely hover between 26-32°C, and the evening game might bring a cold breeze that could assist pace bowlers.
Head-to-Head Records
In their T20 encounters, the head-to-head record between GT and RR stands at:
- Matches Played: 8
- Won by Gujarat Titans: 6
- Won by Rajasthan Royals: 2
- Tied: 0
- No Result: 0
Probable Lineups
Gujarat Titans:
Shubman Gill, Jos Buttler, Sai Sudharsan, Shahrukh Khan, Rahul Tewatia, Glenn Phillips, Washington Sundar, Rashid Khan, Mohammed Siraj, Kagiso Rabada, Ashok Sharma
(Impact Players: Kumar Kushagra, Prasidh Krishna, Manav Suthar, Jayant Yadav)
Rajasthan Royals:
Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Riyan Parag (c), Shimron Hetmyer, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Brijesh Sharma, Jofra Archer, Sandeep Sharma, Ravi Bishnoi, Nandre Burger
(Impact Players: Shubham Dubey, Vignesh Puthur, Donovan Ferreira, Sushant Mishra)
Key Players to Watch
Prasidh Krishna (GT): Known for his consistent performances, Krishna has taken 77 wickets in 67 IPL matches. He will be looking to make an impact with his aggressive style.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi (RR): This 15-year-old batter has already made a name for himself with a sensational fifty in just 15 deliveries. His performance could be crucial for RR.
Toss Prediction
Historically, teams that win the toss at this venue have opted to bowl twice and bat once. Batting first offers an advantage, as the team batting first has won 54 out of 97 T20 matches played here.
Match Scenarios
Scenario 1:
– Toss Winner: RR (opts to bat first)
– Power-Play Score: 45-55
– RR Total: 180-190
– Match Winner: Rajasthan Royals
Scenario 2:
– Toss Winner: GT (opts to bat first)
– Power-Play Score: 42-48
– GT Total: 170-180
– Match Winner: Gujarat Titans
Final Thoughts
With the Gujarat Titans playing at home, they have a good chance to continue their dominance over the Rajasthan Royals. However, the Royals have proven their ability to win any match, as seen in their impressive victory against the CSK. This match is expected to be a high-voltage contest, with both teams aiming for a win.
