Mumbai Indians (MI) will face Gujarat Titans (GT) in the 9th match of IPL 2025 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Both teams lost their opening game and are eager to secure their first win.

Hardik Pandya faced boos from fans when he last played in Ahmedabad. In 2024, he led Mumbai Indians (MI) against Gujarat Titans (GT). He had previously captained GT to a title and two finals before being traded. Once a hero, he became a target for disappointed supporters. Now, his first IPL 2025 match is again against GT at the Narendra Modi Stadium.

Pandya missed MI’s first game against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) due to an over-rate penalty from last season. He is now set to return, adding balance and experience MI lacked against CSK.

Players Facing Former Teams

Rashid Khan has been GT’s key player since 2022. Now, he faces MI, a team whose owners also have him in SA20, ILT20, and MLC. Kagiso Rabada, his GT teammate, also plays for MI’s associated teams MI Cape Town and MI New York. Rashid struggled in IPL 2023 and 2024. His economy rate exceeded eight, a jump from 6.73 or lower in his first six seasons. He started IPL 2025 poorly, conceding five sixes and 48 runs in four overs against Punjab Kings (PBKS). GT allowed PBKS to score 243 runs on a batting-friendly Ahmedabad pitch. Conditions should remain similar against MI, favoring batters. Robin Minz could have played for GT in IPL 2024, but a bike accident sidelined him. GT replaced him with BR Sharath. Now, Minz has joined MI.

Key Players to Watch

Gill smashed 33 off 14 balls in GT’s chase of 244 against PBKS. He usually starts slow but aims to maximize the powerplay. His approach in this game could impact his chances in India’s T20I squad. He was named India’s T20I vice-captain in early 2024 but hasn’t played since. He faces competition from Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, and Yashasvi Jaiswal. Suryakumar has struggled, scoring just 119 runs in his last 10 T20 innings. Against CSK, he started well but slowed down against spin, finishing with 29 off 26 balls. Ahmedabad’s flat pitch could help him regain form.

Key Stats

Before GT’s game against PBKS, fans wondered where Jos Buttler would bat. He played at No. 3, only the second time in 107 IPL innings. His strike rate at No. 3 (147.64) is almost the same as when he opens (147.45). Despite expensive seasons in 2023 and 2024, Rashid Khan remains one of IPL’s top bowlers. Among those with at least 150 IPL wickets, only Lasith Malinga has a better bowling average, and only Sunil Narine has a lower economy rate. Rohit Sharma recorded his 18th IPL duck against CSK, the second-most in history behind Glenn Maxwell (19). Mohammed Siraj has never dismissed Rohit in T20s. In 10 innings, Rohit has scored 74 runs off 55 balls against him, including seven fours and four sixes.

Pitch and Weather Conditions

Ahmedabad’s pitch favors batters, offering good bounce. The average first-innings score is around 200. The last match here saw over 450 runs. Pacers may get early movement, but the pitch slows down later, helping spinners. Dew is expected, so captains may choose to bowl first. The weather remains clear with no rain.

Probable XIs

GT must decide how to fit Washington Sundar. He started as a substitute against PBKS but was not needed. Rashid Khan remains crucial, and R Sai Kishore impressed with figures of 3 for 30. GT’s batting lineup includes several left-handers, like Sai Sudharsan, Rahul Tewatia, and Sherfane Rutherford. GT may keep the same team despite narrowly losing to PBKS.

Gujarat Titans: Jos Buttler, Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, Glenn Phillips, Shahrukh Khan, Washington Sundar, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore, Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Ishant Sharma, Jayant Yadav, Mahipal Lomror, Karim Janat, Kulwant Khejroliya, Anuj Rawat, Gerald Coetzee, Sherfane Rutherford, Manav Suthar, Kumar Kushagra, Arshad Khan, Gurnoor Brar, Nishant Sindhu

Mumbai Indians: Hardik Pandya (c), Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Robin Minz, Ryan Rickelton (wk), Shrijith Krishnan (wk), Bevon Jacobs, Tilak Varma, Naman Dhir, Will Jacks, Mitchell Santner, Raj Angad Bawa, Vignesh Puthur, Corbin Bosch, Trent Boult, Karn Sharma, Deepak Chahar, Ashwani Kumar, Reece Topley, VS Penmetsa, Arjun Tendulkar, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Jasprit Bumrah.

Both teams have powerful batting lineups. Ahmedabad might witness another thrilling high-scoring clash.