Washington Sundar’s New Chapter Begins with Gujarat Titans in IPL 2025!
The stage is set, the stadium is roaring, and yet another IPL Sunday is here to thrill cricket lovers across the country! Match 19 of the Indian Premier League 2025 has brought something special for fans — Washington Sundar’s debut for the Gujarat Titans (GT) as they face off against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the iconic Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad.
Now here’s a little twist to spice things up — GT skipper Shubman Gill won the toss and, keeping in mind the batting-friendly surface at Hyderabad, decided to bowl first. Smart move, considering the trend of chasing teams doing well on these high-scoring grounds!
And that’s not all — Gill had another surprise up his sleeve. At the toss, he announced that Washington Sundar would be stepping into the playing XI in place of left-arm pacer Arshad Khan. Arshad, though promising, had only managed to bag one wicket from two games this season, and the team seems to be looking for a stronger all-round presence in the middle.
Let’s talk a bit about Sundar’s journey — he isn’t a stranger to the IPL spotlight. At just 25, he has already played 60 matches in the IPL, contributing both with the bat and ball. With 378 runs under his belt and 37 wickets, he’s proven time and again that he’s capable of changing the course of a match with his crafty off-spin and calm temperament. He was roped in by GT for a solid Rs 3.20 crore during the mega auction, and now it’s time to show why he’s worth every penny.
Interestingly, Sundar was part of the Sunrisers Hyderabad squad just last season in 2024. He played only two games and picked up one wicket, so today’s clash surely adds a layer of personal motivation — a debut for GT against his former team!
Let’s not forget the opposition. SRH didn’t just sit back — they made a tactical change as well. Jaydev Unadkat has been brought into the playing XI, replacing Harshal Patel, who is unfortunately down with illness. Harshal had a decent run with 4 wickets in 4 games at an average of 30.50, but with him out, SRH turned to experience and consistency.
Unadkat, the seasoned campaigner, brings in vast experience. Bought for Rs 1 crore in the mega auction, he’s on the verge of a special milestone — with 99 wickets from 105 IPL matches, he’s just one away from joining the elite 100-wicket club in the IPL! If there’s a day to do it, it’s today.
Here’s a look at the playing XIs for both teams — and yes, these are stacked lineups ready to light up your screens!
🔵 Gujarat Titans (GT) Playing XI:
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Sai Sudharsan
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Shubman Gill (C)
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Jos Buttler (WK)
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Shahrukh Khan
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Rahul Tewatia
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Washington Sundar
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Rashid Khan
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R. Sai Kishore
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Mohammed Siraj
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Prasidh Krishna
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Ishant Sharma
Impact Players (Bench):
Sherfane Rutherford, Glenn Phillips, Anuj Rawat, Mahipal Lomror, Arshad Khan
🟠 Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) Playing XI:
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Travis Head
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Abhishek Sharma
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Ishan Kishan
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Nitish Kumar Reddy
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Kamindu Mendis
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Heinrich Klaasen (WK)
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Aniket Verma
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Pat Cummins (C)
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Zeeshan Ansari
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Jaydev Unadkat
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Mohammed Shami
Impact Players (Bench):
Abhinav Manohar, Sachin Baby, Simarjeet Singh, Rahul Chahar, Wiaan Mulder
With firepower like Travis Head, Jos Buttler, Heinrich Klaasen, and Rashid Khan on the field, fans can expect some serious fireworks tonight! Both teams boast big-hitters and top-tier bowlers — the recipe for a classic IPL showdown.
From a strategic standpoint, GT has a good mix of youth and experience. While Gill and Buttler provide a strong opening pair, players like Tewatia and Shahrukh Khan add that mid-innings muscle. The bowling department, too, looks balanced with the seasoned Ishant Sharma and the ever-dangerous Rashid Khan leading the attack.
SRH, meanwhile, is relying on their explosive top order. Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma can take the game away in the powerplay itself. Add to that the experience of Cummins and the pace of Shami — and you have a team that can defend any total or chase down a mountain.
One major factor to keep an eye on will be the pitch conditions in Hyderabad. Historically, this venue is a paradise for batters, and scores often go above 180 here. So bowlers will need to stay sharp, mix up their pace, and stick to tight lines to avoid being punished.
And hey — can we talk about how the Impact Player rule is adding so much strategy to the game? Teams can now adjust based on how the first innings pans out, giving them flexibility and depth. Will GT go for a Glenn Phillips masterclass later? Or could SRH unleash Rahul Chahar if the pitch turns a bit? Lots of tactical excitement awaits!
Also, it’s worth keeping an eye on some individual storylines:
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Can Washington Sundar make an instant impact against his former franchise?
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Will Jaydev Unadkat get his 100th wicket tonight?
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Can Shubman Gill lead GT to another clinical win?
Quick Recap: What Makes This Clash Exciting 🔥
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✅ Washington Sundar’s GT Debut!
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✅ GT vs SRH – A clash with personal stakes for Sundar
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✅ Unadkat hunting his 100th IPL wicket
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✅ Firepower-packed playing XIs
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✅ Strategic substitutions thanks to the Impact Player rule
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✅ Batting-friendly pitch promising a high-scoring thriller
As always, IPL delivers not just cricket but drama, excitement, and those unforgettable moments that fans talk about long after the final ball is bowled. Whether you're cheering for GT’s rising stars or backing the orange brigade of SRH, this one promises to be a blockbuster!
So grab your popcorn, settle into your seat, and get ready for a power-packed Sunday evening — because IPL 2025 is only getting better!
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