Gujarat Titans host Rajasthan Royals in Match 9 of the Indian Premier League 2026 at Ahmedabad, with both teams aiming to build early momentum in the tournament. GT seek a comeback after an opening loss, while RR arrive with confidence following a strong win.
Match details
Venue: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
Date: April 4, 2026
Time: 7:30 PM IST | 7:00 AM PST | 2:30 PM GMT
Team overviews
Gujarat Titans enter the contest under pressure after a defeat in their opening game against Punjab Kings. The Shubman Gill-led side showed flashes of quality but lacked consistency across departments. They will look to combine their batting depth with disciplined bowling to avoid slipping further early in the season.
Rajasthan Royals, led by Riyan Parag, started their campaign with an impressive win over Chennai Super Kings. The team displayed balance in both batting and bowling and will aim to carry that momentum into their first away fixture. Adapting to conditions in Ahmedabad will be key to sustaining their winning start.
Key players
Vaibhav Suryavanshi stands out as a rising force for Rajasthan Royals. The young opener plays with attacking intent and can disrupt bowling plans early in the innings. His partnership with Yashasvi Jaiswal will shape RR’s powerplay performance.
For Gujarat Titans, Mohammed Siraj will play a crucial role with the ball. His ability to extract movement and strike early makes him a vital asset, especially under lights where seamers often find assistance.
Head-to-head record
Matches played: 8
Gujarat Titans wins: 6
Rajasthan Royals wins: 2
Gujarat Titans hold a clear historical advantage in this fixture, although Rajasthan Royals won their most recent encounter in April 2025.
Pitch report
The Narendra Modi Stadium has favored teams batting first in recent matches. Seven out of nine games in the previous season were won by sides defending totals. The pitch offers assistance to pacers, particularly in the early and middle phases. Batters can still score freely due to the fast outfield, but setting a competitive total remains crucial.
Probable playing XIs
Gujarat Titans (Captain: Shubman Gill)
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 (Captain: Riyan Parag)
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
Probable match scenarios
If Gujarat Titans bat first, they will aim for a total in the 180 to 190 range, relying on their middle order to accelerate. Their bowling attack will then look to exploit early seam movement.
If Rajasthan Royals bat first, their aggressive top order could push the total beyond 200, especially if they capitalize on the powerplay. Their bowling unit will focus on defending with disciplined variations and pace.
The toss will likely influence the decision to bat first, given the venue trend.
Live streaming and broadcast
India: JioStar Network channels, JioHotstar app and website
Pakistan: Tapmad TV, local sports broadcasters
United Kingdom: Sky Sports Cricket, Sky Go app
Australia: Fox Cricket, Kayo Sports
Global: Official IPL streaming platforms and regional broadcast partners
Match prediction
Both teams enter with contrasting momentum, making this a closely contested fixture. Gujarat Titans have a stronger head-to-head record and home advantage, but Rajasthan Royals carry better recent form. The pitch favors teams batting first, so the toss could prove decisive. The contest appears evenly balanced, with a slight edge to the team that sets a target and executes its bowling plans effectively.
