Overview
Two sides with contrasting trajectories meet at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Friday as Gujarat Titans host the Sunrisers Hyderabad in a crucial IPL 2025 clash. With playoff implications looming large, this encounter promises high stakes, tactical battles, and potential redemption arcs.
Match Details
Date: Friday, May 2, 2025
Time: 3:00 PM IST
Venue: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
Broadcast: Live on Sky Sports
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Form & Context
Gujarat Titans (GT) currently sit fourth on the table, a position that belies their early-season dominance. A recent defeat at the hands of an inspired teenage prodigy, Vaibhav Suryvanshi, has highlighted cracks in their consistency. The Titans, however, boast a strong home record, winning 4 of their last 5 matches in Ahmedabad.
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) remain one of the most unpredictable sides this season. While they have shown flashes of brilliance—most recently with a clutch win over Chennai—they’ve also struggled for rhythm on bowler-friendly surfaces.
IPL 2025 Standings Snapshot (before Match 45):
GT: 6 wins, 4 losses (NRR: +0.312)
SRH: 4 wins, 6 losses (NRR: -0.456)
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Pitch Report: Ahmedabad’s Soil Science
Ahmedabad is renowned for its dual-soil system: red soil, conducive to high-scoring matches, and black soil, which slows down the ball and aids spinners and cutters. All signs point toward a black-soil surface—especially given GT’s prior success defending 190 on similar turf against Mumbai.
Ahmedabad Pitch Stats (IPL 2025):
Average 1st Innings Score (Black Soil): 164
Win % Batting First: 62%
Spinners’ Economy Rate: 6.8
Pace Bowlers’ Economy Rate: 8.4
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Projected XIs
Gujarat Titans
1. Sai Sudharsan
2. Shubman Gill
3. Jos Buttler
4. Washington Sundar
5. Rahul Tewatia
6. Shahrukh Khan
7. Karim Janat
8. Rashid Khan
9. Sai Kishore
10. Mohammed Siraj
11. Noor Ahmad (Impact Player option)
Sunrisers Hyderabad
1. Abhishek Sharma
2. Travis Head
3. Ishan Kishan
4. Heinrich Klaasen
5. Tilak Varma
6. Kamindu Mendis
7. Nitish Reddy
8. Pat Cummins (c)
9. Harshal Patel
10. Jaydev Unadkat
11. Mohammed Shami
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Key Players to Watch
Travis Head (SRH)
IPL 2025: 286 runs | Avg: 31.8 | SR: 149.2
Returns to Ahmedabad, where he scored 137 in the World Cup Final. His ability to dominate in high-pressure games makes him a danger man.
Sai Sudharsan (GT)
IPL 2025: 396 runs | Avg: 44.0 | SR: 133.5
The most consistent batter in the GT lineup. He has five fifties already and anchors the innings with calm precision.
Rashid Khan (GT)
IPL 2025: 15 wickets | Econ: 6.7
In a match expected to be spin-dominated, Rashid’s variations could be pivotal, particularly through the middle overs.
Kamindu Mendis (SRH)
Last Match: 42* (26) & 1/18
A genuine all-rounder who provides much-needed flexibility. His underutilization earlier in the season may come back to haunt SRH.
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Tactical Talking Points
GT’s Spinning Strength: On a turning track, Gujarat’s trio of Rashid, Sai Kishore, and Janat offers control and wicket-taking potential.
SRH’s Top-Order Risk: Head and Abhishek have fired sporadically but will be tested early. The team has collapsed 5 times this season for under 160.
Powerplay Battle: GT have taken the second-most powerplay wickets this season (23), while SRH average just 41 runs in the first six overs—third lowest among all teams.
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Final Word
The Titans have home advantage and greater tactical clarity heading into this contest. The surface is expected to play into their strengths, particularly with Rashid Khan and a disciplined attack. For Sunrisers, it will take a collective performance with the bat and improved temperament on slower surfaces to remain in the playoff conversation.
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