Shubman Gill, the captain of the Gujarat Titans, will not participate in the IPL 2026 match against the Rajasthan Royals due to a muscle spasm. This announcement was made during the toss, where Rashid Khan took over as captain. Gill had previously played in the opening match against the Punjab Kings, scoring 39 runs, but his absence raises concerns for the Titans, who are looking to bounce back after their loss. Rashid Khan expressed the team's commitment to improving their performance, particularly in bowling and batting, after a close defeat in their last game. The Rajasthan Royals, led by Riyan Parag, won their opening match decisively against the Chennai Super Kings, setting the stage for a competitive encounter at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.