Gujarat Titans (GT) are living proof that early impressions can be misleading. Written off ahead of their debut season in IPL 2022, they stunned the cricketing world by winning the title and came within one delivery of defending it in 2023. While 2024 was forgettable, they’ve bounced back strong in 2025, once again proving doubters wrong.
Coming into this season, GT’s top three — Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, and Jos Buttler — were seen as too similar in style, and their middle order looked paper-thin. But the trio has silenced critics by improving their strike rates and ensuring the middle order isn’t exposed too early. As always, their bowling remains their backbone, with Mohammed Siraj effective up front, Prasidh Krishna controlling the middle overs, and R Sai Kishore covering for Rashid Khan’s lackluster form.
However, they now face a tough test in the form of a more balanced Delhi Capitals (DC) unit — a side that has beaten GT twice in Ahmedabad, once on red soil and once on black. With GT believed to have a say in pitch curation, Saturday’s surface could be a strategic decision. Both sides boast strong pace and spin lineups, making the pitch type an intriguing subplot.
DC currently top the points table with five wins from six matches. A victory on Saturday will keep them there, even if Royal Challengers Bengaluru or Punjab Kings make moves the night before. A win for GT, on the other hand, could see them leapfrog into the top position.
Old Bonds, New Battles: Mohit Sharma Returns to Face GT
Mohit Sharma reinvented himself at GT in 2023, becoming a death-overs specialist and finishing as the second-highest wicket-taker that season. Now with DC, he’ll face the team that reignited his career.
Team Updates and Probable XIs
The pitch conditions will determine whether GT pick Washington Sundar or Kulwant Khejroliya. Dasun Shanaka has joined the squad as a replacement for the injured Glenn Phillips but may not be available just yet. Kagiso Rabada’s return remains uncertain.
Gujarat Titans (likely XI):
- Shubman Gill (capt)
- B Sai Sudharsan
- Jos Buttler (wk)
- Sherfane Rutherford
- Shahrukh Khan
- Washington Sundar
- Rahul Tewatia
- Rashid Khan
- Arshad Khan
- R Sai Kishore
- Mohammed Siraj
- Prasidh Krishna
DC may bring back Faf du Plessis if he recovers in time. If not, Jake Fraser-McGurk — who has struggled with just 55 runs in six games at a strike rate of 105.76 — could get another chance. Kuldeep Yadav picked up a shoulder injury recently, but captain Axar Patel has downplayed its seriousness.
Delhi Capitals (likely XI):
- Faf du Plessis / Jake Fraser-McGurk
- Abishek Porel
- Karun Nair
- KL Rahul (wk)
- Tristan Stubbs
- Axar Patel (capt)
- Ashutosh Sharma
- Vipraj Nigam
- Mitchell Starc
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Mohit Sharma
- Mukesh Kumar
Key Match-up: Battle of the Spin Armies
With GT fielding Rashid, Sai Kishore, and Washington, and DC countering with Kuldeep, Axar, and Vipraj Nigam, this clash could be decided by which team’s spinners dominate.
Spotlight on: Rutherford and Stubbs
Sherfane Rutherford has added much-needed stability to GT’s middle order. Aside from a blip against Lucknow Super Giants, he’s scored 158 runs in six games at an average of 39.50 and a blistering strike rate of 166.31 — significantly better than his career T20 numbers.
Meanwhile, Tristan Stubbs is quietly becoming DC’s middle-order lynchpin. With 152 runs in six innings, he’s their third-highest scorer. What sets him apart, however, are his elite finishing skills — a strike rate of 211.53 in the death overs — and his league-best dot-ball percentage of just 17.20 (min. 50 balls faced).
