Key Points

The Gujarat Titans face Lucknow Super Giants in a crucial IPL 2025 match at Narendra Modi Stadium. Captain Shubman Gill won the toss and elected to bowl first, aiming to secure a top-two playoff position. LSG, already eliminated, are using the match as an opportunity to experiment and prepare for next season. The match also features a special lavender kit to support cancer awareness, adding a meaningful dimension to the high-stakes game.

Key Points: Gill Leads GT vs LSG in Crucial IPL 2025 Playoff Clash

  • GT seeking top-two finish with strategic bowling decision
  • LSG playing for pride after elimination
  • Lavender kit supports cancer awareness
  • Rishabh Pant emphasizes team's learning opportunity
2 min read

IPL 2025: Unchanged Gujarat Titans elect to bowl first, LSG make plenty of changes

Gujarat Titans aim for top-two finish against Lucknow Super Giants in must-win IPL match at Narendra Modi Stadium

"We'll bowl first, looks like a good wicket. We want momentum heading into the qualifiers. - Shubman Gill, GT Captain"

Ahmedabad, May 22

Gujarat Titans (GT) captain Shubman Gill won the toss and elected to bowl first against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 clash at the Narendra Modi Stadium here on Thursday.

A win for GT will help them confirm a top-two finish in the IPL 2025 points table and feature in Qualifier 1 on May 29. GT will also be sporting a lavender kit as a mark of support for their cancer awareness programme.

"We'll bowl first, looks like a good wicket. It will be good to have a target on the board. We want momentum heading into the qualifiers, these two games are going to be equally important. The way we complement each other is great, we (him and B. Sai Sudharsan) don't have conversations about who will take down the bowlers. We just play with a positive intent and stay in the moment," said Gill.

LSG, who are already eliminated from the competition, will miss the services of mystery spinner Digvesh Rathi, who has been handed a one-match ban after accumulating five demerit points across three games for excessive wicket-taking celebrations.

As a result, LSG have brought in Shahbaz Ahmed and Himmat Singh, while pacer Akash Singh is slated to play, though he's on the impact player list. "Would have bowled first, looks a good wicket."

"There is a challenge when you are already eliminated, but we take pride in playing cricket. As a team, we are trying different options that give us the best chance of winning. Anything that could help us prepare for next season," said LSG skipper Rishabh Pant.

Playing XIs:

Gujarat Titans: Shubman Gill (capt), Jos Buttler (wk), Sherfane Rutherford, Shahrukh Khan, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Arshad Khan, R. Sai Kishore, Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna

Impact substitutes: B. Sai Sudharsan, Anuj Rawat, Mahipal Lomror, Washington Sundar, and Dasun Shanaka.

Lucknow Super Giants: Mitchell Marsh, Aiden Markram, Nicholas Pooran, Rishabh Pant (capt & wk), Ayush Badoni, Abdul Samad, Himmat Singh, Shahbaz Ahmed, Akash Deep, Avesh Khan, William O'Rourke

Impact substitutes: Akash Singh, M. Siddharth, Ravi Bishnoi, David Miller, and Arshin Kulkarni

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rahul K.
Shubman Gill's captaincy has been brilliant this season! Choosing to bowl first shows confidence in the team's chasing ability. GT's lavender kit for cancer awareness is such a thoughtful gesture 👏 Hope they secure that top-2 spot today!
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Priya M.
Why is LSG making so many changes when they're already out? This just ruins the competitive spirit. Other teams fighting for playoffs deserve proper opposition, not experimental lineups. Pant should have fielded their best XI regardless.
V
Vikram S.
That Digvesh Rathi ban is hilarious! 😂 Getting penalized for celebrating wickets too much - only in IPL! But seriously, young players need to control emotions. Shahbaz Ahmed is a good replacement though - his all-round skills will be valuable.
A
Ananya T.
GT's opening pair of Gill and Buttler is fire! Their partnership stats this season speak for themselves. Hope they continue this form into playoffs. The lavender jerseys look classy too - great cause supporting cancer awareness 💜
S
Suresh P.
As a neutral fan, I'm excited to see young Himmat Singh get a chance for LSG. Domestic players need more opportunities like this. Pant is right to test bench strength - better now than next season when matches matter.

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