Gujarat Titans vs Rajasthan Royals matches: What Most People Get Wrong

If you’ve been following the IPL lately, you probably think you know the vibe of a Gujarat Titans vs Rajasthan Royals clash. It’s supposed to be this clinical, tactical battle where the Titans eventually squeeze the life out of the Royals, right? For years, that was the script. GT basically owned RR. They beat them in the 2022 final, they beat them in the qualifiers, and they kept winning even when Rajasthan looked like the better team on paper. Honestly, it was getting a bit predictable.

Then 2025 happened.

Everything we thought we knew about this rivalry got tossed out the window at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium. If you missed that match in April, you missed the moment the power dynamic shifted. It wasn't just a win for Rajasthan; it was a demolition. And it came from a 14-year-old kid named Vaibhav Suryavanshi who decided to play like he was in a video game.

The Head-to-Head Reality Check

Before we get into the "new age" of this rivalry, let’s look at the cold, hard numbers. Statistically, the Gujarat Titans vs Rajasthan Royals matches still heavily favor the boys from Ahmedabad.

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Out of 8 total meetings since GT joined the league in 2022, Gujarat has won 6. Rajasthan has only managed 2. That’s a lopsided record by any standard. For a long time, GT was RR's "bogey team." No matter how many runs Jos Buttler or Sanju Samson scored, Hardik Pandya (back then) or Shubman Gill would find a way to chase it down or defend a middling total.

But look closer at the 2025 season. It was a split series.

• Match 23 (Ahmedabad): GT smashed RR by 58 runs. Sai Sudharsan was a beast, scoring 82 off 53.
• Match 47 (Jaipur): RR chased down 210 in just 15.5 overs. Yeah, you read that right. They didn't even need 16 overs to get 210.

Why Gujarat Dominated for So Long

Gujarat’s success wasn't accidental. They built a team specifically to counter the high-risk, high-reward style of the Royals. While Rajasthan relied on "intent" and power-hitting, Gujarat relied on ice-cold nerves. Rashid Khan has been the consistent thorn in RR’s side. In the 2023 season, he took 3 for 14 to embarrass them. Even in their losses, Rashid usually keeps things tight.

Then there’s the Shubman Gill factor. As captain and opener, he’s been remarkably consistent against the pink jerseys. In the first 2025 meeting, he set the tone, and even in the second one where they lost, he still slapped 84 off 50 balls.

The Vaibhav Suryavanshi Earthquake

If you want to understand why people are talking about Gujarat Titans vs Rajasthan Royals matches differently now, you have to talk about Vaibhav Suryavanshi. At 14 years old, the kid shouldn't be able to hit Mohammed Siraj for six, yet there he was.

In that April 28 match, he didn't just score a century; he broke the sport.

1. 50 off 17 balls.
2. 100 off 35 balls.
3. Total of 11 sixes.

It was the second-fastest century in IPL history, trailing only Chris Gayle’s legendary 30-ball ton. Watching a 14-year-old dismantle an attack featuring Rashid Khan and Prasidh Krishna was surreal. It changed the narrative. It showed that Rajasthan finally has the "X-factor" to overcome the tactical discipline of Gujarat.

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Tactical Shifts: From Hardik to Gill and Beyond

The rivalry has evolved through different leadership eras. Under Hardik Pandya, GT was all about bowling depth and "clutch" finishes. They’d let you think you were winning and then David Miller or Rahul Tewatia would snatch it in the last over. Remember the 2024 match in Jaipur? RR had it in the bag until GT scored 199/7 to win by 3 wickets on the final ball.

Under Shubman Gill, the Titans feel a bit more batting-heavy. They’ve integrated guys like Sai Sudharsan and Glenn Phillips, making them a nightmare to bowl to on flat tracks like the Narendra Modi Stadium.

Rajasthan, on the other hand, has leaned into their "Royals School of Cricket" philosophy. They take gambles. They play Riyan Parag as a finisher and a leader (he stood in as captain for a few games in 2025). They aren't afraid to let a teenager open the batting. Sometimes it blows up in their face—like when they were bowled out for 159 chasing GT’s 217—but when it works, it’s unstoppable.

Key Player Battles That Actually Matter

Forget the hype; these are the matchups that usually decide the game:

Rashid Khan vs. Sanju Samson
Sanju is a "see ball, hit ball" player, which is exactly what Rashid wants. Rashid has dismissed him multiple times by dangling the carrot. If Sanju survives Rashid’s four overs, RR usually wins. If not, the middle order collapses.

Jos Buttler vs. Mohammed Siraj
Siraj joined GT and immediately brought that "fiery powerplay" energy. Buttler loves pace on the ball, but Siraj’s ability to wobble it back in has caught him off guard lately.

Yashasvi Jaiswal vs. Sai Kishore
Left-arm spin vs. left-hand bat. In the 2025 matches, Jaiswal tried to dominate the spin, but Kishore’s height makes it tricky to get underneath the ball. It’s a subtle battle of angles that most casual fans miss.

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What to Expect in the Next Match

The biggest takeaway from recent games is that the "home ground advantage" is kinda a myth for these two. GT has won in Jaipur, and RR has won in Ahmedabad. The pitches at both venues are generally great for batting, but the evening dew in Ahmedabad often makes defending a total nearly impossible.

If you’re betting or just playing fantasy league, look at the toss. In the 2025 night matches, captains chose to bowl first almost every single time. It's basically the meta now.

Actionable Insights for Fans

• Watch the Powerplay: In the last three Gujarat Titans vs Rajasthan Royals matches, the team that lost fewer than 2 wickets in the first six overs ended up winning the game.
• The "Tewatia" Factor: Never count GT out until the 20th over is done. They have made a habit of scoring 15+ runs in the final over against RR.
• Track the Youngsters: Vaibhav Suryavanshi is the real deal, but keep an eye on GT’s Arshad Khan. He’s been the quiet achiever with the ball, picking up crucial top-order wickets when the stars fail.

The rivalry isn't just about who has more trophies anymore. It's about two different philosophies: GT’s calculated, data-driven consistency versus RR’s flair-heavy, high-risk talent. Based on the 2025 results, the gap is closing fast.

To get the most out of the next clash, monitor the pitch report specifically for "turn." If the ball is stopping, GT’s spinners will eat RR alive. If it's a highway, get ready for another Suryavanshi-style firework display.