Mumbai Indians have won the toss and elected to bowl first against Gujarat Titans in Match 9 of the 2025 Indian Premier League at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. Skipper Hardik Pandya, facing his former franchise, cited uncertainty about the pitch and the potential impact of dew as key factors behind his decision. Hardik stated, "The simple reason is we don't know how the pitch will play, plus the dew factor. Only last year we played on black soil, otherwise, we have been playing on red soil. Last year, we had the game under wraps but couldn't finish it. The prep has been fantastic, the boys are excited, and we back each other, be there for each other. Very happy stage. I come back, and the others we are keeping the options open. Always about playing good cricket, planning right, and enjoying the game." Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill, unfazed by the toss outcome, expressed confidence in his team’s ability to adapt. He also hinted at a possible change in the playing XI with the impact substitute rule in play. He added, "It is all about assessing the conditions and seeing what target we can set, and if we are chasing, it is about how to get to that target. We have got the same team, might see one change with the impact sub. We want to have a lefty-righty combination, and Jos has been playing at 3 for England, so nothing changes for him." The pitch report from Nick Knight and Michael Clarke suggested a slightly tricky surface, different from the one used in the GT vs PBKS match. It appears two-paced, with an expected par score of around 180. The new ball might offer movement, while slower deliveries could prove effective for bowlers. Both teams enter this contest looking for redemption after opening-game defeats. Gujarat suffered a high-scoring loss to Punjab, falling short in a chase of 243, while Mumbai endured their customary season opener defeat against Chennai. With both sides eager to secure their first win, an intense battle awaits in Ahmedabad. Read also: South Australia Fans Celebrate Historic Sheffield Shield Victory Playing XI for both teams: Mumbai Indians: Rohit Sharma, Ryan Rickelton(w), Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya(c), Tilak Varma, Naman Dhir, Mitchell Santner, Deepak Chahar, Trent Boult, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Satyanarayana Raju Impact Subs: Robin Minz, Ashwani Kumar, Raj Bawa, Corbin Bosch, Will Jacks Gujarat Titans: Shubman Gill(c), Sai Sudharsan, Jos Buttler(w), Sherfane Rutherford, Shahrukh Khan, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore, Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna Impact Subs: Washington Sundar, Glenn Phillips, Ishant Sharma, Anuj Rawat, Mahipal Lomror