Gujarat Titans Bowl First Against Delhi Capitals in Crucial IPL Match

NEW DELHI, India — The Gujarat Titans won the toss and elected to bowl first against the Delhi Capitals in a crucial IPL match at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on May 18, 2025. This match is vital for the Capitals as they aim to keep their playoff hopes alive.

The Delhi Capitals, currently ranked fifth in the points table with 13 points, have struggled recently, securing only one victory in their last five matches. Meanwhile, the Titans are eyeing to become the first team to officially qualify for the playoffs with a win tonight.

DC captain Axar Patel expressed confidence in his team’s ability to post a good total, even after losing their leading wicket-taker, Mitchell Starc, who chose to sit out the remainder of the season due to safety concerns linked to regional tensions.

“We respect Starc’s decision. We have regrouped and are looking to start fresh,” said Patel. “We want to take it one game at a time and focus on our performance.”

Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill also sees this match as an opportunity. “We’ve had a good run so far, but we need to win the remaining matches to secure our spot,” Gill said. “Obviously, we are looking at the bigger picture in terms of playoffs.”

Both teams announced their playing XI shortly before the match. For the Titans, key players like Jos Buttler and Kagiso Rabada are in the lineup. Conversely, for the Capitals, returning players include Faf du Plessis and KL Rahul, who provides crucial experience.

With temperatures expected to hover around 33 degrees Celsius and favorable batting conditions, a high-scoring game is anticipated. “The pitch is dry but can assist spinners. Our batting order needs to fire,” Patel added.

This matchup will kick off at 7:30 PM IST and is expected to be a thrilling encounter as both teams seek crucial points.