Gujarat Titans on the Brink of Playoff Qualification
High stakes and even higher pressure—that’s what the 51st match of IPL 2025 promises as Gujarat Titans clash with Sunrisers Hyderabad at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium. For Gujarat, the scenario is pretty straightforward: two more wins out of their remaining five matches and they’re cruising into the playoffs. Sunrisers Hyderabad aren’t so lucky. For them, it’s win or go home, as dropping more points could end their season early.
Gujarat’s recent form speaks volumes. Six wins from nine outings have set them up nicely, and confidence in the dressing room is running high. The last time these two sides met, Gujarat finished the job with little fuss, overpowering Hyderabad by seven wickets at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. That victory was built on the back of a fiery spell from Mohammed Siraj, who picked up four key wickets, limiting Sunrisers to just 152 for 8.
When it was their turn to bat, Shubman Gill showed why he’s one of the most consistent performers this season. He anchored the innings with an unbeaten 61, supported steadily by Washington Sundar (49) and Sherfane Rutherford (35 not out), ensuring the chase never went off the rails.
Matchup at Ahmedabad: Batters’ Paradise, Bowlers’ Nightmare
The Narendra Modi Stadium is a dream venue for anyone wielding a bat. Five out of the eight most recent games here have seen team totals sail past 200, delighting fans and keeping bowlers up at night. The pitch’s batting-friendly nature means big scores are likely, and both teams will want to make full use of the hard new ball before dew sneaks in during the second innings. Dew can make the bowl tricky to grip, leaving bowlers scrambling for answers as batters look to pile on more runs.
The match will get underway at 7:30 PM IST, with the toss scheduled for half an hour earlier. As always, every little decision—from team selection to batting first or bowling—can shift momentum.
For Gujarat Titans, captain Shubman Gill is the one to watch. His ability to anchor and accelerate as needed keeps the opposition on edge. Mohammed Siraj, fresh off his match-winning spell in the last outing against Hyderabad, is another big weapon. Washington Sundar’s all-round skills and Sherfane Rutherford’s ability to finish games add depth to their attack.
Sunrisers Hyderabad face a do-or-die situation. They’ll lean heavily on senior names like Kane Williamson and Mayank Agarwal to step up with the bat, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s experience with the ball will be essential, especially under lights and with dew a factor.
- Gujarat Titans: Shubman Gill (captain, opener), Mohammed Siraj (pace spearhead), Washington Sundar (all-rounder), Sherfane Rutherford (finisher)
- Sunrisers Hyderabad: Kane Williamson (batsman), Mayank Agarwal (top order), Bhuvneshwar Kumar (bowling leader)
Crowds will be glued to the action on TV, with coverage on Star Sports and JioCinema. With the playoffs just around the corner, every ball counts and every performance becomes a headline.