Rajasthan Royals are our predicted winners for IPL 2026 Match 9 against the Gujarat Titans on Saturday, April 4, 2026, at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. The 7:30 PM IST evening clash sees GT hosting RR in what promises to be a high-scoring affair on the world’s largest cricket ground.
RR come into this match riding high after an emphatic 8-wicket demolition of Chennai Super Kings, where 15-year-old sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi smashed a 15-ball fifty. GT, meanwhile, suffered a narrow 3-wicket defeat to Punjab Kings in their opener despite Shubman Gill’s 39. The form advantage clearly sits with the Royals.
IPL 2026 Match 9 GT vs RR Match Info
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Match | Match 9, IPL 2026 (TATA IPL) |
| Teams | Gujarat Titans vs Rajasthan Royals |
| Date | Saturday, April 4, 2026 |
| Time | 7:30 PM IST |
| Venue | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad |
| Stadium Capacity | 132,000 (World’s Largest) |
| Live Broadcast | Star Sports Network |
| Live Streaming | JioHotstar |
| GT Captain | Shubman Gill |
| RR Captain | Riyan Parag |
| GT Coach | Ashish Nehra |
| RR Coach | Kumar Sangakkara |
IPL 2026 Match 9 Odds for GT vs RR
The betting markets have this one closer than expected, but RR holds a slight edge at around 2.00 odds compared to GT’s 1.80. It’s a reflection of RR’s dominant opening victory versus GT’s wobble against Punjab Kings.
Home advantage at the Narendra Modi Stadium traditionally favors GT. However, their batting struggled to accelerate in the death overs against PBKS. The toss will be crucial, with dew expected to play a significant role in this evening’s fixture.
| Platform | GT Win Odds | RR Win Odds | Toss Odds (GT) | Toss Odds (RR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1xBet | 1.78 | 2.05 | 1.90 | 1.90 |
| Stake | 1.80 | 2.00 | 1.85 | 1.85 |
| 4RABET | 1.82 | 2.02 | 1.88 | 1.88 |
| BetVibe | 1.75 | 2.08 | 1.90 | 1.85 |
IPL 2026 Match 9 Toss Prediction for GT vs RR
The toss at Narendra Modi Stadium is not just a coin flip; it’s practically a tactical decision already made.
Dew becomes a significant factor in evening matches at Ahmedabad. Chasing teams have won approximately 60% of T20S here since the stadium’s reconstruction. The pitch tends to ease out in the second innings as moisture accumulates, making bowling with a wet ball increasingly difficult from the 12th over onwards.
Both Shubman Gill and Riyan Parag would prefer to chase. The captain who wins the toss is almost certain to elect to field first. Expect a high-scoring affair with 180+ a realistic first-innings total.
Toss Prediction: The toss winner will opt to field first.
GT Predicted Playing XI for IPL 2026 Match 9
Gujarat Titans will be desperate to bounce back after their heartbreaking loss to Punjab Kings. Their top three of Gill, Sai Sudharsan, and Jos Buttler combined for 1,967 runs last season, the highest for any top order in IPL history since 2016.
The concern? None of them fired against PBKS. Gill’s 39 was GT’s highest score. Buttler has struggled in T20S in 2026, averaging just 20.4 at a strike rate of 135.39. GT needs their overseas star to rediscover form at his new home ground.
| # | Player | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sai Sudharsan | Batter (Opener) |
| 2 | Shubman Gill (c) | Batter (Opener) |
| 3 | Jos Buttler (wk) | WK-Batter |
| 4 | Glenn Phillips | All-rounder |
| 5 | Washington Sundar | All-rounder |
| 6 | Shahrukh Khan | Batter |
| 7 | Rahul Tewatia | All-rounder |
| 8 | Rashid Khan | Bowler |
| 9 | Kagiso Rabada | Bowler |
| 10 | Mohammed Siraj | Bowler |
| 11 | Ashok Sharma | Bowler |
| 12 (Impact) | Prasidh Krishna | Bowler |
Key Player Insight: Rashid Khan had his worst IPL season in 2025, failing to take 10 wickets for the first time with an economy rate over 9. At Ahmedabad, where spin traditionally gets purchase in the middle overs, GT needs Rashid back to his miserly best. His four overs often determine the match outcome.
RR Predicted Playing XI for IPL 2026 Match 9
Rajasthan Royals dismantled CSK in their opener. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s 52 off 17 balls was the season’s fastest fifty, and RR chased down 128 with nearly 8 overs to spare. That’s a statement win.
The pace duo of Jofra Archer (2/19) and Nandre Burger (2/26) wreaked havoc, while Ravindra Jadeja marked his return to RR after 17 years with a double-wicket first over. The bowling unit looks sharp and hungry.
| # | Player | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yashasvi Jaiswal | Batter (Opener) |
| 2 | Vaibhav Sooryavanshi | Batter (Opener) |
| 3 | Riyan Parag (c) | All-rounder |
| 4 | Dhruv Jurel (wk) | WK-Batter |
| 5 | Shimron Hetmyer | Batter |
| 6 | Ravindra Jadeja | All-rounder |
| 7 | Jofra Archer | Bowler |
| 8 | Nandre Burger | Bowler |
| 9 | Sandeep Sharma | Bowler |
| 10 | Ravi Bishnoi | Bowler |
| 11 | Brijesh Sharma | Bowler |
| 12 (Impact) | Donovan Ferreira / Dasun Shanaka | All-rounder |
Key Absence: Sam Curran is ruled out of the entire IPL 2026 season due to a groin injury sustained during the T20 World Cup. Dasun Shanaka has been signed as his replacement at INR 2 crore. Curran’s all-around abilities will be missed, but Jadeja and Shanaka provide adequate cover.
Narendra Modi Stadium Pitch Report IPL 2026
The Narendra Modi Stadium is the world’s largest cricket ground with a capacity of 132,000. It’s a fortress for GT, where they won the 2022 IPL title in their debut season.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Stadium | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad |
| Capacity | 132,000 (World’s Largest) |
| Pitch Type | Mixed Red & Black Soil (70-30) |
| Average 1st Innings Score (T20) | 180-195 |
| Straight Boundary | 65 meters (shorter) |
| Square Boundary | 75 meters (longer) |
| Best Strategy | Bat Second (Dew Factor) |
What to expect on April 4:
- True bounce and pace early: The red-soil dominant surface offers genuine pace for stroke-makers. Batters who trust the bounce can play through the line confidently.
- Spin comes into play mid-innings: The black-soil component grips slightly, offering turn for spinners. Rashid Khan vs Ravi Bishnoi in the middle overs will be a fascinating duel.
- Dew becomes decisive: From the 12th to 14th over of the second innings onwards, significant dew accumulates. Bowling with a wet ball reduces seam movement and grip for spinners.
- Expect 200+ totals: IPL 2025 averaged over 220 in the first innings at this venue. Both teams have explosive batting lineups capable of posting mammoth totals.
- Straight boundary is key: At 65 meters, the straight hit is the percentage play. Square boundaries at 75 meters reward controlled power.
Ahmedabad Weather Report, April 4, 2026
April in Ahmedabad means heat. Match day temperatures will be warm, but conditions are ideal for a full 40-over contest.
| Weather Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Condition | Partly cloudy, clear for match hours |
| Temperature | 32°C – 37°C (evening) |
| Humidity | Moderate (~50-56%) |
| Wind Speed | 10-15 km/h (light winds) |
| Cloud Cover | Minimal during match hours |
| Dew Factor | High dew expected from 12th-14th over of 2nd innings |
| Rain Probability | Less than 5% |
| Match Interruption Risk | Very Low – Full 40-over contest expected |
GT vs RR Head-to-Head Last 5 Matches
Overall Head-to-Head (IPL History):
| Matches Played | GT Wins | RR Wins | No Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 6 | 2 | 0 |
GT dominates this rivalry with 6 wins from 8 meetings, including the iconic 2022 IPL Final victory by 7 wickets at this very venue. However, recent form suggests the gap is narrowing.
Last 5 Matches:
| Match | Date | Winner | Margin | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IPL 2025 | Apr 28, 2025 | RR | 58 runs | Sawai Mansingh, Jaipur |
| IPL 2025 | Apr 9, 2025 | GT | 9 wickets | Narendra Modi, Ahmedabad |
| IPL 2024 | Apr 10, 2024 | GT | 3 wickets | Sawai Mansingh, Jaipur |
| IPL 2023 | Apr 16, 2023 | RR | 3 wickets | Narendra Modi, Ahmedabad |
| IPL 2022 (Final) | May 29, 2022 | GT | 7 wickets | Narendra Modi, Ahmedabad |
At Narendra Modi Stadium specifically, GT has won 2 of their 3 meetings against RR. The only exception was the 2023 clash, where Shimron Hetmyer’s unbeaten 56 off 26 balls guided RR home.
Rivalry Highlights Worth Knowing:
- Shubman Gill leads all run-scorers in this fixture with 332 runs across 8 matches.
- Rashid Khan has taken 10 wickets against RR, the most by any GT bowler in this rivalry.
- The 2022 IPL Final at this venue saw GT restrict RR to 130 and chase it down with 11 balls to spare, clinching their maiden title in their debut season.
- GT’s highest score against RR: 217/6. RR’s highest against GT: 212/2.
Our Prediction: Rajasthan Royals Have Better Chances to Win Against Gujarat Titans in IPL 2026 Match 9
Bottom line up front: RR wins
Why RR has the Edge
Form is everything in T20 cricket, and RR are buzzing after their demolition of CSK. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s 15-ball fifty wasn’t just fast; it was fearless. When a 15-year-old is swatting Matt Henry over long-off like he’s playing tennis ball cricket, confidence is flowing through the dressing room.
Jofra Archer’s return gives RR genuine pace and wicket-taking ability. If he stays fit, he’s unplayable on any surface. His 2/19 against CSK was just a teaser. Pair him with Nandre Burger’s accuracy, and GT’s top order faces a stern test in the powerplay.
Ravindra Jadeja’s homecoming to RR adds experience and versatility. His 2/18 included two wickets in his first over, a statement return after 17 years away from the franchise where he began his IPL journey.
Why GT Could Still Win
Home advantage is real at Ahmedabad. GT knows this ground intimately. They won the title here in 2022, and their top three of Gill, Sudharsan, and Buttler have combined for massive runs at this venue over the past two seasons.
GT’s bowling is formidable on paper. Rabada, Siraj, and Rashid Khan form a world-class attack. If Rashid rediscovers his rhythm, the middle overs become a nightmare for RR’s less experienced middle order.
The 162 against PBKS wasn’t a disaster; it was a wake-up call. GT’s batting depth with Shahrukh Khan, Rahul Tewatia, and now Jason Holder means they can accelerate from any position. Expect a response.
The Verdict
RR’s explosive opening pair of Jaiswal and Sooryavanshi can neutralize any target if they fire. Against a GT bowling attack that leaked 162 to PBKS and struggled at the death, RR’s confident batters hold the advantage.
If the toss goes to RR and they chase under lights with dew assistance, GT’s bowlers will struggle. Archer vs Gill and Bishnoi vs Buttler are the matchups to watch.
Predicted Winner: Rajasthan Royals by 5-6 wickets, chasing 185-195.
This prediction is based on publicly available squad data, injury reports, venue stats, and historical records as of April 3, 2026. Official playing XIs will be confirmed at the toss.
