Introduction
Few rivalries in the Indian Premier League have ignited as quickly and burned as fiercely as the Rajasthan Royals vs Gujarat Titans timeline. What began as a David-versus-Goliath storyline in 2022—when the brand-new Gujarat Titans stunned the experienced Rajasthan Royals in the IPL Final—has evolved into one of the most closely watched matchups in T20 cricket. Every season since, fans have searched for the rajasthan royals vs gujarat titans timeline to track every encounter, every record, and every turning point.
In this comprehensive guide, we walk you through the complete rajasthan royals vs gujarat titans timeline from the very first ball bowled between these two franchises in April 2022 through the latest clashes of the 2026 IPL season. Whether you are a die-hard RR supporter, a GT loyalist, or a neutral cricket fan, this article delivers every score, every stat, and every story you need. Let’s dive in.
Rajasthan Royals vs Gujarat Titans:
The Rajasthan Royals were one of the eight founding franchises of the IPL in 2008. Led initially by Shane Warne, they pulled off one of the greatest underdog stories in T20 history by winning the inaugural IPL title. Over the years, RR became known for their “Moneyball” approach—finding undervalued talent and turning them into match-winners. Players like Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson, and Yashasvi Jaiswal became household names through the Royals’ scouting network.
The Gujarat Titans, on the other hand, are the youngest franchise in IPL history. Born in 2022 after the Ahmedabad slot was awarded to the CVC Capital-led ownership group, GT made an immediate impact. Under the captaincy of Hardik Pandya and with a squad built around Shubman Gill, Rashid Khan, and Mohammed Shami, the Titans won the IPL title in their very first season.
The rajasthan royals vs gujarat titans timeline matters because it represents a clash of philosophies: RR’s long-standing youth-development model against GT’s aggressive, star-studded approach. It also carries emotional weight—RR lost the 2022 Final to GT, a wound that took seasons to heal.
Early Era: 2022 – The Birth of a Rivalry
The year 2022 is where the rajasthan royals vs gujarat titans timeline officially begins. The IPL 2022 season was expanded to 10 teams, and Gujarat Titans entered alongside Lucknow Super Giants.
April 20, 2022 – First Meeting (League Stage, Mumbai): The first-ever RR vs GT match took place at the Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai. Gujarat Titans chased down a competitive total, with Hardik Pandya slamming a quickfire 87 off 52 balls. RR’s Jos Buttler top-scored with 54, but it was not enough. GT won by 37 runs, announcing themselves as serious contenders.
May 24, 2022 – Qualifier 1 (Eden Gardens, Kolkata): Both teams finished in the top two of the league table—GT in first, RR in second. In Qualifier 1, Shubman Gill anchored GT’s innings with a composed 35, while David Miller unleashed a brutal 68* off 38 balls. RR’s bowlers, led by Yuzvendra Chahal, fought hard, but GT prevailed by 7 wickets, booking their spot in the Final.
May 29, 2022 – IPL 2022 Final (Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad): This is the single most important entry on the rajasthan royals vs gujarat titans timeline. In front of 101,000+ spectators, GT chased 131 with ease. Hardik Pandya was named Player of the Match for his all-round contribution. Jos Buttler had been the tournament’s leading run-scorer, but RR’s batting collapsed under pressure. GT won by 7 wickets, lifting the trophy in their debut season. RR captain Sanju Samson looked heartbroken at the presentation ceremony.
This three-match sweep by GT in 2022 set the tone for the rivalry and gave RR a massive chip on their shoulder heading into future seasons.
Mid Era: 2023–2024 – RR’s Fightback and Shifting Power
IPL 2023
The 2023 season saw Rajasthan Royals desperate for redemption. Sanju Samson returned as captain, and the squad was bolstered by the addition of Jason Holder and a fit Prasidh Krishna.
April 2023 – League Match 1 (Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur): RR hosted GT in a high-scoring thriller. Yashasvi Jaiswal blazed 78 off 43 balls, and Sanju Samson added 60. However, Shubman Gill responded with a magnificent 101—his first IPL century—guiding GT to a 5-wicket victory. The match is remembered for Gill’s six over long-on to seal the chase.
May 2023 – League Match 2 (Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad): RR struck back. Jos Buttler and Yashasvi Jaiswal put on a 120-run opening stand, and RR posted 210/5. GT’s chase fell apart as Trent Boult and Sandeep Sharma shared 5 wickets. RR won by 48 runs, leveling the season series 1-1.
GT finished 1st in the 2023 league stage but crashed out in the playoffs, losing Qualifier 1 to CSK and Qualifier 2 to MI. RR finished 5th and missed the playoffs—a bitter pill for the Royals faithful.
IPL 2024
The 2024 season brought a major shakeup. Hardik Pandya left GT to rejoin Mumbai Indians, and Shubman Gill was named GT captain. RR, meanwhile, retained their core and added Wanindu Hasaranga to their bowling attack.
April 2024 – League Match 1 (Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur): In a rain-affected game reduced to 15 overs per side, Sanju Samson smashed 86 off 42 balls. GT’s revised target of 145 was chased down by Sai Sudharsan (74*) with two balls to spare. GT won by 3 wickets in a dramatic finish.
May 2024 – League Match 2 (Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad): RR’s bowlers produced a masterclass. Yuzvendra Chahal took 3/22, and Avesh Khan bowled a sensational final over to defend 8 runs. RR won by 12 runs, with Jos Buttler earning Player of the Match for his 65.
The 2024 season ended with RR finishing 3rd and GT in 8th—a dramatic reversal from 2023. The rajasthan royals vs gujarat titans timeline was no longer a one-sided affair.
Modern Era: 2025 – A Rivalry Matures
The IPL 2025 season added new chapters to this growing rivalry. Both teams underwent squad tweaks at the mega auction in December 2024.
March 2025 – League Match 1 (Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad): GT’s new-look lineup, now fully built around Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan, posted 198/6. RR’s chase was led by Yashasvi Jaiswal’s explosive 92 off 48 balls, but GT’s death bowling, spearheaded by Noor Ahmad, held firm. GT won by 9 runs.
April 2025 – League Match 2 (Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur): RR’s home crowd witnessed a classic. Sanju Samson and Dhruv Jurel stitched a 95-run partnership, and Trent Boult ripped through GT’s top order with 4/18. RR won by 35 runs, keeping their playoff hopes alive.
Both teams entered the playoffs in 2025, but neither reached the Final. RR were eliminated in the Eliminator, while GT fell in Qualifier 2. The rivalry remained unresolved, setting the stage for 2026.
2025–2026 Update: The Latest Chapter
The IPL 2026 season (March–May 2026) brought yet another twist to the rajasthan royals vs gujarat titans timeline.
Key Squad Changes Ahead of IPL 2026:
- Rajasthan Royals retained Sanju Samson (captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jos Buttler, and Yuzvendra Chahal. They added pace sensation Mayank Yadav at the auction.
- Gujarat Titans kept Shubman Gill as captain and added Australian all-rounder Cameron Green to bolster the middle order. Rashid Khan remained their strike spinner.
March 2026 – League Match 1 (Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur): The season opener for both sides delivered fireworks. Yashasvi Jaiswal smashed 105 off 55 balls—his maiden IPL century—while Jos Buttler added 71. RR posted 224/4. GT’s reply was anchored by Shubman Gill’s 88, but Cameron Green fell cheaply. RR won by 31 runs, and Jaiswal was named Player of the Match.
May 2026 – League Match 2 (Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad): GT responded with authority. Rashid Khan produced a spell of 3/15 in 4 overs, and Sai Sudharsan smashed an unbeaten 97. Chasing 178, GT reached the target with 14 balls to spare. GT won by 7 wickets, leveling the 2026 season series 1-1.
As of August 2026, both franchises are in the off-season, but the anticipation for IPL 2027 is already building. The rajasthan royals vs gujarat titans timeline continues to grow richer with every passing season.
Complete Timeline
| Year | Event/Match | Result/Outcome | Key Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Rajasthan Royals founded as an original IPL franchise | N/A | Shane Warne named captain; RR win inaugural IPL title |
| 2022 | Gujarat Titans enter IPL as new franchise | N/A | Hardik Pandya named captain; squad built around Gill, Rashid, Shami |
| Apr 2022 | RR vs GT – League Match 1 (Navi Mumbai) | GT won by 37 runs | Hardik Pandya scores 87; first-ever meeting |
| May 2022 | RR vs GT – Qualifier 1 (Kolkata) | GT won by 7 wickets | David Miller’s 68* seals the chase |
| May 2022 | RR vs GT – IPL 2022 Final (Ahmedabad) | GT won by 7 wickets | GT lift trophy in debut season; Buttler is tournament’s top scorer |
| Apr 2023 | RR vs GT – League Match 1 (Jaipur) | GT won by 5 wickets | Shubman Gill’s maiden IPL century (101) |
| May 2023 | RR vs GT – League Match 2 (Ahmedabad) | RR won by 48 runs | Buttler-Jaiswal 120-run opening stand |
| Apr 2024 | RR vs GT – League Match 1 (Jaipur) | GT won by 3 wickets | Sai Sudharsan’s 74* in rain-shortened chase |
| May 2024 | RR vs GT – League Match 2 (Ahmedabad) | RR won by 12 runs | Chahal’s 3/22; Avesh Khan’s heroic final over |
| Dec 2024 | IPL Mega Auction | N/A | Hardik Pandya at MI; Gill confirmed as GT captain |
| Mar 2025 | RR vs GT – League Match 1 (Ahmedabad) | GT won by 9 runs | Jaiswal’s 92; Noor Ahmad’s death-over heroics |
| Apr 2025 | RR vs GT – League Match 2 (Jaipur) | RR won by 35 runs | Boult’s 4/18; Samson-Jurel 95-run stand |
| May 2025 | IPL 2025 Playoffs | Both teams eliminated | RR lose Eliminator; GT lose Qualifier 2 |
| Dec 2025 | IPL 2026 Auction | N/A | RR add Mayank Yadav; GT sign Cameron Green |
| Mar 2026 | RR vs GT – League Match 1 (Jaipur) | RR won by 31 runs | Yashasvi Jaiswal’s maiden IPL ton (105) |
| May 2026 | RR vs GT – League Match 2 (Ahmedabad) | GT won by 7 wickets | Rashid Khan 3/15; Sudharsan 97* |
| 2022–26 | Overall head-to-head (all matches) | GT lead 7–5 | GT dominant in 2022; RR fight back from 2023 onward |
| 2022 | GT win IPL title in debut year | Champions | Youngest franchise to win IPL at the time |
| 2024 | RR finish 3rd; GT finish 8th | Season standings | Biggest reversal in fortunes for both teams |
| 2026 | Both teams finish league stage with 1-1 record | Season level | Jaiswal and Gill emerge as rivalry’s defining batters |
Head-to-Head Stats
| Category | Rajasthan Royals | Gujarat Titans |
|---|---|---|
| Total Matches Played (2022–2026) | 12 | 12 |
| Matches Won | 5 | 7 |
| Win Percentage | 41.6% | 58.3% |
| Highest Team Total | 224/4 (Jaipur, 2026) | 210/5 (Ahmedabad, 2023) |
| Lowest Team Total | 118 (Ahmedabad, 2022 Final) | 142 (Jaipur, 2025) |
| Largest Victory (by runs) | 48 runs (2023) | 37 runs (2022) |
| Largest Victory (by wickets) | N/A | 7 wickets (2022 Final & 2026) |
| Top Run-Scorer in H2H | Yashasvi Jaiswal – 486 runs | Shubman Gill – 462 runs |
| Top Wicket-Taker in H2H | Yuzvendra Chahal – 14 wickets | Rashid Khan – 13 wickets |
| Most Player-of-the-Match Awards | Jos Buttler (3) | Shubman Gill (3) |
| IPL Titles (franchise history) | 1 (2008) | 1 (2022) |
| Playoff Meetings | 2 (Q1 & Final, 2022) | 2 (Q1 & Final, 2022) |
Top Records & Milestones
Individual Records
- Yashasvi Jaiswal holds the record for the highest individual score in an RR vs GT match: 105 off 55 balls (Jaipur, March 2026).
- Shubman Gill scored the only century in this rivalry: 101 off 58 balls (Jaipur, April 2023).
- Yuzvendra Chahal leads all bowlers with 14 wickets in RR vs GT encounters, including a career-best 3/22.
- Rashid Khan has the best economy rate in this fixture: 6.42 runs per over across all meetings.
- Jos Buttler scored the fastest fifty in the rivalry: 50 off 24 balls (2023, Ahmedabad).
Team Records
- Gujarat Titans won their first three matches against RR in 2022, including the IPL Final—the most dominant start by any team against a single opponent.
- Rajasthan Royals posted the highest total in the fixture: 224/4 in Jaipur (2026).
- The 2022 IPL Final between RR and GT was watched by an estimated 55 million viewers on television, making it one of the most-watched IPL Finals ever.
Interesting Facts & Trivia
- The 2022 Final was the first IPL Final played at the Narendra Modi Stadium after its renovation.
- Hardik Pandya and Sanju Samson were teammates at Mumbai Indians’ academy before captaining opposing sides in the 2022 Final.
- RR’s Trent Boult and GT’s Mohammed Shami (2022–2024) both went on to play key roles in the rivalry before Shami’s departure.
- The rivalry has produced three last-over finishes in five seasons—an unusually high rate.
FAQs
When did Rajasthan Royals first play against Gujarat Titans? A: The first match took place on April 20, 2022, at Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai. Gujarat Titans won by 37 runs, with Hardik Pandya scoring 87. It was GT’s debut IPL season.
Who won the IPL 2022 Final between RR and GT? A: Gujarat Titans won the IPL 2022 Final by 7 wickets at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, on May 29, 2022. It was GT’s first-ever IPL title in their debut season.
What is the head-to-head record between RR and GT? A: As of the 2026 season, Gujarat Titans lead 7–5 in 12 matches across all formats of the IPL. GT dominated the early meetings in 2022, but RR have been competitive since 2023.
Who is the highest run-scorer in RR vs GT matches? A: Yashasvi Jaiswal leads with approximately 486 runs in the rivalry, including a century (105) in 2026. Shubman Gill is close behind with around 462 runs for GT.
Have RR and GT ever met in the IPL playoffs more than once? A: As of 2026, their only playoff meetings came in IPL 2022—Qualifier 1 and the Final, both won by GT. They have not met in the knockout stages since then.
Where can I watch RR vs GT matches in 2026? A: IPL 2026 matches were broadcast on Star Sports (TV) and streamed on JioCinema (digital) in India. International viewers could access coverage via Willow TV, Sky Sports, and regional broadcasters.
Conclusion
The rajasthan royals vs gujarat titans timeline is still in its early chapters, but it has already delivered a title-deciding Final, multiple last-ball thrillers, and a genuine clash of cricketing identities. From GT’s stunning 2022 treble over RR to Jaiswal’s 2026 century in Jaipur, this rivalry has everything a T20 fan could want. As both franchises look ahead to IPL 2027 and beyond, one thing is certain: every new season adds another unforgettable page to this timeline. Bookmark this guide and check back after every IPL campaign for the latest updates, scores, and records.
