Why is Wanindu Hasaranga missing the IPL 2025 game versus Gujarat Titans?

The 23rd game of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, on Wednesday, pits hosts Gujarat Titans (GT) against Rajasthan Royals (RR). The match is being played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. It was RR skipper Sanju Samson who won the toss and chose to bowl first. 

Sri Lankan spinner Wanindu Hasaranga is missing from the playing XI for RR as Afghanistan seamer Fazalhaq Farooqi comes into the team. The left-arm seamer last played for RR in the season-opening game against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Samson said that Hasaranga was missing the game due to personal reasons. 

RR are coming into the game on the back of their sensational 50-run win over Punjab Kings in the last game. The Royals are currently placed seventh in the table with two wins and two losses from their four games. The Titans, on the other hand, are second in the table with three wins from four games and beat SRH in their last encounter. 

‘Want to take the momentum forward’ – Sanju Samson makes upbeat statement 

Rajasthan Royals’ skipper Sanju Samson seemed upbeat after the toss as his team has beaten Chennai and Punjab in their last two encounters. Speaking to Ravi Shastri at the toss, Samson said, “We would like to bowl here first because of the conditions. There is going to be dew here. Each and every game in the IPL is important; we are grateful for the last two games and will take the momentum forward."

Samson also added, “It is great to be back. It is a very new team, new guys in the squad; we retained six guys but it is still a new team; we took time to gel together and know our roles. The wicket looks really good and will stay true.” While RR have made one change, the Titans have gone in with the same side that beat SRH by seven wickets. 

Titans skipper Shubman Gill said, “I would have bowled first as well. Looking at the past few matches, dew has come in during the second innings but we have batted first here. We are taking it one game at a time and not keeping track of how many games we have won. If the top 3 or 4 are doing the job, then I am happy with that. We have had a really good home run and hopefully nothing changes for us; support from the fans has always been tremendous.”