Match prediction: RR to win

Toss prediction: GT to win the toss and bowl first

Gujarat Titans (GT) will clash with Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Match 23 of the Indian Premier League 2023 at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on Sunday (April 16). It is expected to be a riveting contest between the finalists of the IPL 2022 season, and the stakes will be certainly high for both teams. 

• Date & Time: April 16, 7:30 PM IST 
• Venue: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad

GT vs RR match preview

Gujarat Titans

Gujarat Titans have started the tournament well, with three wins in four league matches. After facing a loss to Kolkata Knight Riders, they made a comeback to secure a six-wicket victory over Punjab Kings. 

They restricted the opposition to 153, with Mohit Sharma picking two wickets. Then, Shubman Gill top-scored with 67 to help Titans seal the game. 

Titans are not expected to make a change in their winning combination. However, Vijay Shankar might be brought as an Impact Player in this game. 

GT Possible 11: Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, Hardik Pandya (c), David Miller, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Alzarri Joseph, Mohammed Shami, Mohit Sharma, Joshua Little

Rajasthan Royals

Rajasthan Royals are at top of the points table with three wins in four league matches. They breached CSK’s fortress, Chepauk in their last game to register a thrilling three-run victory. 

Jos Buttler (52) led the way for RR to post 175 on the board. Then, Ravichandran Ashwin and Yuzvendra Chahal picked two wickets apiece, while Sandeep Sharma executed accurate yorkers to win the game for the franchise. 

With things going well for the team, RR team management can continue with almost the same winning combination. If Trent Boult is fit, he might be slotted into the XI in place of Adam Zampa. 

RR Possible 11: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson (c & wk), Devdutt Padikkal, Shimron Hetmyer, Dhruv Jurel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jason Holder, Kuldeep Sen, Sandeep Sharma, Yuzvendra Chahal, Adam Zampa

Pitch and expected weather conditions

The last game played at this venue witnessed Kolkata Knight Riders chasing down 204, which reflects the stronghold of batters. The team winning the toss could choose to bowl, as the surface is not likely to change with respect to assistance to the batters. 

It will be a pleasant night, as the game progresses, with the temperatures in the range of 24 to 26 degree celsius. 

GT vs RR Dream11 prediction

Wicket keepers: Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson
Batters: Shubman Gill, David Miller, Shimron Hetmyer, Yashasvi Jaiswal
All-rounders: Ravichandran Ashwin, Hardik Pandya
Bowlers: Yuzvendra Chahal, Rashid Khan, Mohammed Shami

Recommended captain: Jos Buttler
Recommended vice-captain: Shubman Gill

Jos Buttler remains the best pick for this match due to his consistency at the top-order. He has 204 runs in four innings. Although Sanju Samson has been out on a duck in the last two matches, he is in good nick and can convert into a big knock, if settles well. 

Shubman Gill has emerged as the best batter for KKR with two fifties under his belt. RR’s opening batter Yashasvi Jaiswal is striking well and can be a good pick for your fantasy team. In the middle-order, Shimron Hetmyer and David Miller are reliable finishers for both teams. 

Ravichandran Ashwin contributed in both departments in the last game, and can be preferred over Jason Holder. GT captain Hardik Pandya should be picked due to his track record with Titans. 

In the bowling unit, Mohammed Shami and Rashid Khan are the top picks from Titans, due to their form and last season performance. From Rajasthan, Yuzvendra Chahal can be picked owing to his wicket-taking skills. 

Match prediction: Rajasthan Royals to win

The IPL 2022 runner-up Rajasthan Royals are looking a well-settled unit, who are oozing confidence with an experienced set of players. They are expected to maintain their dominance at the top of the table by winning this game owing to their openers and credible bowling unit. 

Toss prediction: GT to win the toss and bowl first

In the last game, Titans won the toss and opted to bowl due to the belter of a surface and confidence in their batting line-up. The Ahmedabad pitch will also be good for batting, and Titans might decide to chase down the score in this fixture. 

Man of the match prediction: Jos Buttler

Jos Buttler was incredible against Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2022. He scored 182 runs in three innings, with a top score of 89. He has over 200 runs in four games in the IPL and is predicted to receive the prestigious award. 

Betting odds

Gujarat Titans: 1.82

Rajasthan Royals: 2.02

Clearly, Rajasthan Royals are lacking in the betting odds, due to the loss against Gujarat Titans in the previous two games in 2022. However, Royals are expected to be a worthy competitor, who are in strong form.