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The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season continues to deliver high-octane drama, and the 9th match at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad was no exception. As the Gujarat Titans (GT) prepared to host the Rajasthan Royals (RR) on April 4, 2026, the atmosphere was electric, yet a wave of concern swept through the home fans when the team sheets were revealed.
The most striking development of the evening was the absence of Gujarat Titans’ charismatic leader and batting mainstay, Shubman Gill. In his stead, the seasoned Afghan leg-spinner Rashid Khan walked out for the toss, confirming that Gill would be sidelined for this crucial encounter.
GT vs RR: Why is Shubman Gill not playing today’s IPL match?
The primary reason for Gill’s absence is a muscle spasm. During the toss, stand-in captain Rashid Khan provided clarity on the situation, noting that while the injury was a setback, it was likely a precautionary measure to ensure the long-term fitness of their premier opener.
“Well, we wanted to bowl first as well,” Rashid Khan stated after losing the toss. “Fresh wicket and I feel like there will be some help for the bowlers initially… Gill has got bit of a muscle spasm, hopefully he will be back soon. KK (Kumar Kushagra) is playing his first game and we look forward to seeing him play.”
Gill, who has been in sublime form, top-scoring for the Titans in their previous outing, is a vital cog in the GT machinery. Muscle spasms have been a recurring hurdle for Gill; he famously battled a neck spasm during a Test match in late 2025 and missed a series against New Zealand in 2024 for similar reasons. Given the grueling nature of the IPL 14-match group stage, the GT management has opted for a ‘safety first’ approach, hoping to have their captain back for the upcoming fixtures.
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Surprising choice of Riyan Parag at the toss against GT
Adding to the evening’s surprises was the sight of Riyan Parag choice after winning the toss. Following a strategic leadership transition where Parag replaced Sanju Samson as the full-time captain for the 2026 season, the young all-rounder looked confident at the toss.
Rajasthan Royals won the toss and elected to bat first, with Parag signalling a clear intent to dominate the scoreboard.
“We are going to be batting first. We got to assess and adapt to different conditions. Hopefully, we will put up a good score around 210 and defend it later on,” Parag remarked. He emphasized a philosophy of flexibility, stating that the Royals aim to be a team that can thrive in any condition rather than sticking to a single brand of cricket.
The Royals made two tactical changes, bringing in Tushar Deshpande for Brijesh Sharma and Shubham Dubey for Ravi Bishnoi. Meanwhile, GT handed a debut to the young talent Kumar Kushagra, tasking him with filling the massive void left by Gill. As the match unfolds in Ahmedabad, all eyes remain on how the Titans adapt without their leader and whether the new-look Royals under Parag can capitalize on Gill’s unfortunate absence.
Starting XI of both teams
Rajasthan Royals: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Dhruv Jurel(w), Riyan Parag(c), Shimron Hetmyer, Donovan Ferreira, Ravindra Jadeja, Jofra Archer, Nandre Burger, Tushar Deshpande, Sandeep Sharma
Gujarat Titans: Kumar Kushagra, Sai Sudharsan, Jos Buttler(w), Glenn Phillips, Washington Sundar, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan(c), Kagiso Rabada, Ashok Sharma, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna
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