Rashid Khan to Lead Gujarat Titans as Rajasthan Royals Opt to Bat in IPL Clash

Ahmedabad, April 2026 : The Gujarat Titans will be led by star all-rounder Rashid Khan in their crucial IPL 2026 encounter against the Rajasthan Royals, as regular skipper Shubman Gill misses out due to a muscle spasm. The ninth match of the season is being played at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium, where Rajasthan Royals won the toss and elected to bat first on Saturday.

The Titans will be eager to secure their first win of the season after narrowly missing out in their opening match against the Punjab Kings. In that game, Gujarat posted a competitive 162/6 but faltered in the closing stages with the ball, allowing Punjab to chase down the target with five balls to spare. The loss exposed some concerns in their death bowling, something the team will be keen to address in this fixture.

In contrast, Rajasthan Royals enter the contest with high confidence following a dominant win over the Chennai Super Kings in Guwahati. The Royals delivered a clinical all-round performance, bundling out CSK for just 127 before chasing the target comfortably within 13 overs. The pace duo of Jofra Archer and Nandre Burger played a key role with the ball, while young sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi impressed with an explosive half-century.

Historically, Gujarat Titans have held the upper hand in this rivalry, winning six of the eight encounters between the two sides. Rajasthan Royals have managed just two wins, including their most recent clash in April 2025. This backdrop adds further intrigue to the contest, as both teams look to assert their dominance early in the tournament.

After winning the toss, Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag said the decision to bat first was based on adapting to conditions and setting a competitive total. He expressed confidence in his team’s ability to assess situations and play flexible cricket rather than sticking to a fixed style. Parag also revealed two changes in the lineup, with Tushar Deshpande and Shubham Dubey coming into the side.

Stand-in Gujarat captain Rashid Khan admitted that his team would have preferred to bowl first as well, citing the possibility of early assistance for bowlers on a fresh pitch. However, he remained optimistic about his side’s chances, highlighting the positives from their previous game while acknowledging areas that need improvement, particularly in bowling execution and finishing with the bat.

Rashid also confirmed that Shubman Gill’s absence is precautionary and expressed hope that the regular skipper will return soon. He announced the debut of Kumar Kushagra, adding excitement to the Titans’ lineup as they look to inject fresh energy into their campaign.

The Rajasthan Royals lineup features a strong mix of youth and experience, including Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, Shimron Hetmyer, Ravindra Jadeja, and seasoned pacer Sandeep Sharma. Their depth in both batting and bowling makes them a formidable unit.

On the other hand, Gujarat Titans boast a powerful lineup featuring Jos Buttler behind the stumps, along with key players like Sai Sudharsan, Glenn Phillips, Rahul Tewatia, and a strong bowling attack led by Kagiso Rabada and Mohammed Siraj.

As both teams take the field, the match promises to be a compelling contest between a Gujarat side seeking redemption and a Rajasthan unit aiming to build on its winning momentum. With tactical adjustments, key player battles, and early-season pressure at play, fans can expect an engaging clash in Ahmedabad.

Playing XIs:

Rajasthan Royals: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Riyan Parag (c), Shimron Hetmyer, Donovan Ferreira, Ravindra Jadeja, Jofra Archer, Nandre Burger, Tushar Deshpande, Sandeep Sharma

Impact Substitutes: Ravi Singh, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Shubham Dubey, Brijesh Sharma, Ravi Bishnoi

Gujarat Titans: Kumar Kushagra, B Sai Sudharsan, Jos Buttler (wk), Washington Sundar, Glenn Phillips, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan (c), Kagiso Rabada, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj, Ashok Sharma

Impact Substitutes: Shahrukh Khan, Jason Holder, Manav Suthar, Anuj Rawat, Jayant Yadav