Match Preview: Gujarat Titans vs Mumbai Indians, IPL 2025, Match 9 – March 29, 2025
The IPL 2025 action intensifies as Gujarat Titans (GT) face off against Mumbai Indians (MI) in Match 9 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on March 29, 2025. Both teams are desperate to kickstart their campaigns after stumbling in their opening games, making this clash a critical early-season battle. GT, led by Shubman Gill, came agonizingly close to chasing 244 against Punjab Kings but fell 11 runs short, while MI, under Hardik Pandya’s captaincy, faltered at 155 against Chennai Super Kings’ spin attack. With Ahmedabad’s batting-friendly surface and a passionate home crowd behind them, GT will look to capitalize, but MI’s pedigree and firepower mean they’re never out of the fight. Expect a high-octane encounter as these two former champions vie for their first points of the season.
Match Details
– Date: March 29, 2025
– Venue: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
– Time: 7:30 PM IST (2:00 PM PDT)
– Weather Condition: Clear skies are forecast for Ahmedabad, with temperatures hovering between 28-31°C at match time. Humidity will range from 35-45%, and a light breeze (10-15 km/h) might assist pacers early on. Dew could factor in later, potentially favoring the team batting second, though it’s not expected to be excessive tonight.
– Pitch Report: The Narendra Modi Stadium pitch is a batsman’s paradise, known for consistent bounce and minimal wear. The last game here saw 475 runs scored, with Punjab posting 243/5. Pacers might get some early swing, but the surface slows as the game progresses, bringing spinners into play. Expect a par score around 190-200, though totals nearing 220+ aren’t out of reach if the top order fires.
Head-to-Head Stats
– Matches Played: 5
– GT Wins: 3
– MI Wins: 2
– No Result: 0
– At Ahmedabad: GT hold a perfect 3-0 record against MI, including a 2023 Qualifier 2 win and a dramatic 6-run victory in 2024. MI’s highest score against GT is 247/9, while GT’s best is 233/3—both indicative of Ahmedabad’s run-friendly nature. GT’s lowest (89/10) and MI’s (87/10) show vulnerabilities, but recent form suggests a high-scoring affair looms.
Squad Analysis and Probable Playing XI
Gujarat Titans**: After a spirited chase fell short against Punjab, GT’s batting looks potent with Gill (33 off 14) and Sai Sudharsan (74 off 41) in form, backed by Jos Buttler’s 54. Their bowling, however, leaked runs, with Kagiso Rabada (1/48) and Mohammed Siraj struggling. Rashid Khan’s 1/48 needs support, and the team might tweak their pace attack to counter MI’s batsmen.
– Probable XI: Shubman Gill (c), Sai Sudharsan, Jos Buttler (wk), Sherfane Rutherford, Shahrukh Khan, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, R Sai Kishore, Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna.
(Impact Sub: Glenn Phillips or Arshad Khan)
Mumbai Indians: MI’s batting crumbled to 155/9 against CSK, with only Ryan Rickelton (38) showing fight. Hardik Pandya returns from a one-match ban, adding leadership and all-round heft, but Jasprit Bumrah’s absence (rested or injured) weakens their bowling. Trent Boult and Deepak Chahar must step up, while Suryakumar Yadav and Rohit Sharma need to rediscover form after lean starts.
– Probable XI: Rohit Sharma, Ryan Rickelton (wk), Will Jacks, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya (c), Naman Dhir, Mitchell Santner, Deepak Chahar, Trent Boult, Vignesh Puthur.
(Impact Sub: Satyanarayana Raju or Corbin Bosch)
Live Streaming Details
– India: Watch live on Star Sports Network (Star Sports 1 HD/SD, regional language options) and stream on JioCinema app/website.
– Overseas: USA/Canada – Willow TV; UK – Sky Sports Cricket; Australia – Fox Sports/Kayo Sports; Middle East – beIN Sports.
– Global: IPL’s official YouTube channel for highlights, with live updates on IPLT20.com.
Key Players to Watch
– GT:
– Shubman Gill: His 33 off 14 against Punjab was a teaser of his Ahmedabad form (1,112 runs, avg. 69.50). A captain’s knock could set the tone.
– Rashid Khan: With 20 wickets in 15 games against MI (economy 6.10), he’s their spin trump card.
– MI:
– Hardik Pandya: Back in action, his 351 runs and 12 wickets at this venue make him a dual threat.
– Suryakumar Yadav: Despite a slow start (29 off 26 vs CSK), his 108 runs in 3 innings at Ahmedabad signal danger.
Tactical Breakdown
GT will bank on their top order—Gill, Sudharsan, and Buttler—to exploit the powerplay, aiming for 70-80 runs upfront. Rashid and Sai Kishore must control the middle overs, where MI’s middle order (Yadav, Varma) can accelerate. MI, meanwhile, need Rohit and Yadav to anchor after a shaky opener, with Pandya and Boult tasked to disrupt GT’s batting rhythm early. The toss could be crucial—teams batting second have won 20 of 36 IPL games here, per historical data, hinting at a chase preference.
Prediction: Who Will Win?
This is a tight call. GT hold a psychological edge with a 3-0 Ahmedabad record against MI and showed batting resilience in their 232/5 chase. Their familiarity with conditions and Rashid’s MI mastery tilt the scales. MI, however, boast a stronger batting lineup on paper, and Pandya’s return adds balance. Without Bumrah, their bowling looks thin, though, and GT’s home advantage could prove decisive. If dew plays a role, the chasing team gains an edge, but GT’s recent form suggests they can defend big totals here. I’m backing Gujarat Titans to win by 10-15 runs or 5-6 wickets on March 29, 2025, unless MI’s top order explodes.
Predicted Winner: Gujarat Titans
