IPL match preview: Gujarat Titans v Rajasthan Royals

The Gujarat Titans will go into this match after a challenging fixture against the Punjab Kings. What happens in that game will have plenty of say on the Titans' endeavours against the Royals in Ahmedabad.

Ahmedabad has served up first-innings scores between 170 and 200 this IPL. And the team batting second has always won. Based on that record, whoever wins the toss this time will likely opt to bowl first and chase later.

The Titans can look to their players with the biggest match temperaments here, including South African batsman David Miller and Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya. Both will be key against a relatively balanced opposition XI.

The Rajasthan Royals were impressive in their recent win over the Chennai Super Kings. Seamer Sandeep Sharma's death bowling was particularly special and will need to be spot on again against a threatening Titans batting order.

The Titans and Royals met on three occasions in the 2020 IPL. Gujarat won all three, including the final.

Ravichandran Ashwin was pushed up the batting order with reasonable success against the Super Kings. He then took two important wickets. The Indian all-rounder has plenty of experience, which bodes well for another big showing for Rajasthan with bat and ball here.

Mohammed Shami is among the fastest bowlers in the Titans' arsenal. His pace and swift variations in length could really capitalise in conducive conditions in Ahmedabad. With the bat, Gujarat could do with a big performance from Shubman Gill.

The Royals will be buoyed by beating the Super Kings and can take that motivation into this match. They look set to get one over the Titans, whose title defence needs to be kept on its toes amid the competitive 10-team standings.