Gujarat Titans (GT) are slight favourites to beat Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Match 9 of IPL 2026 at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on Saturday, April 4. Bookmakers price GT around 1.85-1.90 odds (implied win probability of ~53-54%).
GT need to bounce back after losing to PBKS, while RR arrive with momentum from their 8-wicket demolition of CSK. The head-to-head record heavily favours GT (6-2), but RR’s form and all-round balance make this a fascinating contest. This article covers the odds, predicted XIs, pitch report, weather, head-to-head, and match prediction.
How GT and RR Started IPL 2026
Gujarat Titans lost their opener to Punjab Kings by 3 wickets at Mullanpur. Batting first, GT could only manage 162, with Shubman Gill (39) and Jos Buttler (38) contributing but nobody converting a start into a match-defining innings.
Prasidh Krishna was the bright spot, taking 3/29 as an impact player. However, Cooper Connolly’s unbeaten 72 off 44 rescued PBKS from 118/6 and denied GT a winning start. The bowling leaked runs at crucial moments, and the middle order of Washington Sundar, Glenn Phillips, and Shahrukh Khan failed to fire.
In contrast, Rajasthan Royals hammered CSK by 8 wickets in Guwahati. They bowled CSK out for just 127 and chased it down in 12.1 overs with 47 balls to spare. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi smashed 52 off just 17 balls to blow the chase wide open, while Ravindra Jadeja took 2 wickets against his former franchise.
GT vs RR Match Details
Here are the key details for Match 9 of IPL 2026.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Match | GT vs RR, 9th Match |
| Tournament | Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 |
| Date | Saturday, April 4, 2026 |
| Time | 7:30 PM IST |
| Venue | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad |
| Live Streaming | Star Sports Network / JioHotstar |
GT vs RR Betting Odds Comparison
GT are marginal favourites with home advantage at the world’s largest cricket stadium. Their 6-2 head-to-head record and a batting-friendly Ahmedabad surface work in their favour.
However, RR’s dominant opening win has narrowed the gap. CricTracker rates this a 50-50 contest, while Sky247 gives GT a 55% win chance.
| Platform | GT Win Odds | RR Win Odds | Implied GT Win % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stake | 1.88 | 1.95 | ~53% |
| Bet365 | 1.85 | 2.00 | ~54% |
| 1xBet | 1.85 | 2.00 | ~54% |
| Betfair | 1.90 | 1.92 | ~52% |
This is one of the tightest-priced matches of IPL 2026 so far. The odds could shift significantly based on the toss, as batting conditions at Motera are heavily influenced by dew in the second innings.
GT vs RR Predicted Playing XIs
GT may bring in Kagiso Rabada to strengthen their pace attack after the PBKS loss. RR are likely to be unchanged after their dominant win, with Donovan Ferreira coming in if conditions suit an extra batter.
Gujarat Titans (GT) Predicted XI
Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (c), Jos Buttler (wk), Washington Sundar, Glenn Phillips, Shahrukh Khan, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Kagiso Rabada, Ashok Sharma, Mohammed Siraj.
GT’s top three of Sudharsan (IPL 2025 Orange Cap, 759 runs), Gill (650 runs at SR 155.87), and Buttler is arguably the strongest top order in IPL 2026. If all three click on Ahmedabad’s batting paradise, RR’s bowling will be under enormous pressure.
The bowling attack is GT’s real strength. Rashid Khan controls the middle overs, Mohammed Siraj spearheads the pace, and Kagiso Rabada (if selected) adds South African firepower. Ashok Sharma picked up a wicket on IPL debut against PBKS and could retain his spot.
Rajasthan Royals (RR) Predicted XI
Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Riyan Parag (c), Shimron Hetmyer, Ravindra Jadeja, Donovan Ferreira, Jofra Archer, Sandeep Sharma, Ravi Bishnoi, Brijesh Sharma.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (52 off 17 vs CSK) is the most exciting young batter in IPL 2026. The 15-year-old’s fearless approach alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal (unbeaten 38* vs CSK) gives RR an explosive opening pair that can end matches in the powerplay.
Shimron Hetmyer arrives after a brilliant T20 World Cup 2026 (248 runs in 7 innings, avg 41.33). He bats at No. 5, with Ravindra Jadeja adding all-round depth at No. 6. Jofra Archer leads the bowling, and his express pace could trouble GT’s top order under lights.
Narendra Modi Stadium Pitch Report
The Narendra Modi Stadium is a batting-friendly ground with a fast outfield. The average first innings score in IPL 2025 was a massive 216, making it one of the highest-scoring venues in IPL history.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Pitch Behaviour | Batting-friendly with good pace and bounce. Ball comes on nicely. |
| Batting Conditions | Excellent. Quick outfield rewards stroke-play. 200+ scores common. |
| Bowling Conditions | Pacers get assistance early, especially under lights. Spinners struggle. |
| Avg. 1st Innings Score (IPL 2025) | 216 |
| Par Score (Expected) | Around 200-220 runs |
| Toss Impact | Teams batting first won 7 of 9 matches here in IPL 2025. Defending is preferred. |
Bat First or Chase at Motera?
Here is a surprise: unlike most IPL venues, batting first is the winning formula at Motera. Teams defending won 7 of 9 matches here in IPL 2025.
This goes against the general IPL trend of chasing being easier. At Motera, any score above 220 has been extremely tough to chase. The captain winning the toss faces an interesting dilemma: follow the bat-first Motera trend, or go with the IPL 2026 trend of bowling first (which has worked in all matches so far)?
Weather Forecast for GT vs RR
The weather in Ahmedabad looks perfect for cricket on Saturday.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Temperature | Around 30-33°C (warm) |
| Weather | Partly cloudy to clear skies |
| Rain Probability | Only 5% chance of rain |
| Humidity | Moderate |
| Wind | Light breeze |
No rain concerns for this match. Dew is expected to settle in the second innings, which could make gripping the ball harder for bowlers. However, given the bat-first trend at Motera, dew alone may not be enough to overcome a big first-innings total.
GT vs RR Head-to-Head Record in IPL
GT dominate this rivalry with a commanding 6-2 record from 8 meetings. This is one of the most one-sided head-to-heads in the IPL among younger franchises.
| Statistic | Result |
|---|---|
| Total IPL Matches Played | 8 |
| GT Wins | 6 |
| RR Wins | 2 |
| GT Win % (Overall) | 75% |
| First-Ever Meeting | April 14, 2022 (GT won) |
| Most Recent Meeting | April 28, 2025 (RR won) |
| GT’s IPL Title | 2022 (beat RR in Qualifier 1 that year) |
| Venue (This Match) | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad |
GT Have Owned RR Since 2022
GT won their maiden IPL title in 2022, the same year they first faced RR. Since then, GT have beaten RR in 6 of 8 meetings, including crucial playoff encounters. The Titans’ ability to perform under pressure against the Royals gives them a significant psychological edge.
However, RR’s most recent win came in April 2025, showing they can beat GT when they play to their potential. With Jadeja (traded from CSK, not GT), Sooryavanshi in explosive form, and Archer leading the bowling, this RR side looks different from the ones GT have dominated.
Key Players to Watch
Both squads feature match-winners who could swing this game in a single session. Here are the players who hold the key to Saturday’s result.
| Player | Team | Why They Matter |
|---|---|---|
| Shubman Gill | GT | 650 runs at SR 155.87 in IPL 2025. GT’s captain and leading run-scorer since 2020. Must convert starts into big scores after his 39 vs PBKS. |
| Sai Sudharsan | GT | IPL 2025 Orange Cap (759 runs). 912 partnership runs with Gill. The most consistent opener in recent IPL history. |
| Rashid Khan | GT | Elite leg-spinner who controls the middle overs. His record against RR’s middle order could be decisive on this batting surface. |
| Mohammed Siraj | GT | CricTracker’s pick for best bowler in this match. Pace and early swing under Ahmedabad lights make him dangerous in the powerplay. |
| Vaibhav Sooryavanshi | RR | 52 off 17 vs CSK. 305 runs in last 8 T20 games. The 15-year-old is the most exciting batter in IPL 2026 right now. |
| Jofra Archer | RR | RR’s pace spearhead. 11 IPL 2025 wickets, 11 T20 WC 2026 wickets. His express pace can trouble GT’s top order under lights. |
| Shimron Hetmyer | RR | T20 WC 2026 star (248 runs, avg 41.33). Adds West Indian flair and finishing power at No. 5. Perfectly suited for Motera’s short boundaries. |
Toss Prediction
This is where the match gets interesting. Motera and the rest of IPL 2026 tell opposite stories about the toss.
At Motera in IPL 2025, teams batting first won 7 of 9 matches. But in IPL 2026 so far, every toss winner has chosen to bowl first and won. The captain winning the toss faces a genuine dilemma between venue history and tournament trend.
Given the high-scoring nature of this ground, the toss winner might opt to bat first and set a massive target. Any total above 220 is extremely hard to chase at Motera, regardless of dew.
Match Prediction
A high-scoring venue, two sides with explosive batting, and contrasting form. This has all the ingredients for a run-fest at the world’s largest cricket stadium.
Where GT Holds the Edge
Home advantage at the Narendra Modi Stadium is significant. GT know this ground better than anyone, and their 6-2 head-to-head record against RR gives them a massive psychological boost. The Ahmedabad pitch suits their style of cricket.
GT’s bowling attack is their biggest strength. Rashid Khan in the middle overs, Siraj with the new ball, and Kagiso Rabada (if selected) at the death form a complete unit. On a batting-friendly surface where containment matters, Rashid’s economy rate could be the difference.
Additionally, the bat-first advantage at Motera plays into GT’s hands. If they win the toss and set 220+, their bowling can defend it. That strategy has worked in 7 of 9 matches here.
Where RR Holds the Edge
Current form is overwhelmingly in RR’s favour. Their 8-wicket win over CSK was one of the most dominant performances of the early season. Every department clicked: bowling restricted CSK to 127, and the batting chased it in 12.1 overs.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Yashasvi Jaiswal at the top give RR a powerplay advantage that few teams can match. If they get off to a flyer on Motera’s batting-friendly pitch, GT’s bowling will be under immediate pressure.
Jofra Archer under Ahmedabad lights is a dangerous proposition. His pace and bounce can extract movement even on flat surfaces. If Archer dismisses Gill or Sudharsan early, GT’s middle order (which failed against PBKS) could be exposed again.
Key Concerns for Both Teams
GT’s concern is their middle order. Washington Sundar, Glenn Phillips, and Shahrukh Khan all failed against PBKS. On a batting-friendly surface, that shouldn’t happen. If the top three falls cheaply, GT don’t have the middle-order depth to recover.
RR’s concern is the away challenge. Their opening win came at Guwahati (considered an RR home ground). Ahmedabad is GT territory, and RR have lost 6 of 8 matches against GT overall. Additionally, Riyan Parag (14 off 11 vs CSK) needs a bigger contribution from the captain’s position.
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Final Verdict: GT Holds Slight Advantage Over RR but RR Also Looks Prepared for Clash
GT hold a narrow edge at around 53-55%. Home advantage, a dominant 6-2 head-to-head, and the bat-first Motera trend give them a slight upper hand.
However, RR’s superior form, Sooryavanshi’s explosive batting, and Archer’s pace mean this could go either way. CricTracker calls it a genuine 50-50 contest, and that feels about right.
Expect a high-scoring match with a par score around 200-220. The team batting first has a historical advantage at Motera, and any total above 220 will be very tough to chase.
