Over the years, the Indian Premier League (IPL) has featured some exciting matches and nail-biting finishes due to the competitive nature of the league, which has caused rivalries to form. A fast-growing rivalry that has emerged is between the Delhi Capitals and the Gujarat Titans. Although the Gujarat Titans were established as a new IPL franchise in 2022 and didn’t exist before last season, the competitive battle with the Delhi Capitals has established quite an interesting timeline of competitive cricket, full of fascinating moments. In the four seasons the two teams have existed together, they have played against each other on seven occasions, and both teams have used the other as their competitive foils, which has made this one of the great IPL rivalries.
The First Match – The Titans Off and Running (2022)
The rivalry has a timeline that goes back to April 2, 2022, when the Gujarat Titans had their first IPL competition against the Delhi Capitals at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune, and since the Titans were new as a franchise and still developing as a team, they were able to remain composed to contribute to their 14-run victory.
Delhi is characterised as having a damaging batting order and the matchup they had no way to get away from very good bowling that Gujarat could offer on this particular day. The Titans systematically performed successfully to not only defend their total using bravado in the full squad depth with their power and tactical know-how, but they also won the match, then commenced their season with Delhi Capitals’ first defeat of 2023.
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2023 is the Year of the Twists – The Double Header
For the 2023 season, Delhi Capitals and Gujarat Titans had two matches to add extra spice and tension leading into a growing rivalry. The first game of the year was on April 4, 2023, at Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi. This was Gujarat’s first away match against Delhi and while they were not in a confident position, it was safe to say they were going to be more confident following their victory before playing Delhi. They conducted a sensible match in chasing a relatively low set from Delhi (relatively low) and left Delhi with not too much fight to be more than six wickets.
Nonetheless, the 2023 storyline of their rivalry migrated immediately on May 2, 2023, at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, as these two franchises met again with a recent strong run arrived Delhi Capitals looking for revenge and ultimately coming away with a 5-run victory in a thrilling competition. For Delhi, it was their first victory over Gujarat that season, but the magnitude of the win was enhanced due to the time of year of the season that it was and at the same time displayed that the team was evidently a resilient group.
This victory was now a penny to put into the Gujarat piggy bank of wins over Delhi, but also a spark to establish a competitive rivalry moving forward.
A Landscape Shift – Comeback for Delhi in 2024
Fast forward to the year 2024, the Delhi Capitals and the Gujarat Titans had become used to meeting each other on the battlefield and that familiarity created a relatively tactical and predictable competition between both franchises.
The next data point in April 2024 came again on 17 April, at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, where the historical data suggested it always favoured Gujarat. In this instance, however, Delhi altered that history with a terrific bowling performance, followed by a calm, considered, stylish chase to win against the stunned home crowd. Delhi has no problems in winning by 6 wickets and bettering their head to head win record to 1-1.
Exactly a week later, on 24 April 2024, the two franchises faced off again, but this time Delhi were the home team at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. The Delhi Capitals were feeling about as excited as one could be after their victory over the Gujarat Capitals and their swirling mood travelled into this match. After another nail-biting finish, Delhi picked up victory by 4 runs, marking their second victory over the Titans in the one season.
This little streak was MASSIVE, not only was it putting Delhi in a favourable position on the table, but it suggested a possible shift in power in this rivalry. What started as Gujarat’s complete dominance was turning into a very heated rivalry.
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The Rivalry Rekindled – Titans Roared Back to Life in 2025
Gujarat Titans went into 2025 season after experiencing back-to-back losses in 2024 and wanted to put their stamp on this season. After playing Delhi on April 19 at the Narendra Modi Stadium, it would be a great opportunity to demonstrate their ability. With the home crowd behind them and lessons learned from their previous heavy defeats, Gujarat produced a serious performance against their north Indian rivals. The Titans chased down the total with ridiculous ease, and in doing so, Jkrabde solidified the impression that the Titans were becoming a serious force again, winning by 7 wickets.
The return fixture on May 18, 2025, at the Arun Jaitley Stadium was even better. Gujarat Titans delivered a clinic in bowling, rolling Delhi for cheap runs and then chasing down the target without losing a wicket. The 10-wicket victory not only did it level up the series, but it also swung the understanding of dominance back in Gujarat’s favour.
This comfortable victory had increased meaning for both of the franchises. It wasn’t just about the 2 points for each team; the spirit of intent is incredibly important. Gujarat had gone full circle after getting beaten by Delhi, put themselves back in the bag for the rivalry, and reasserted the position of dominance over Delhi.
A Developing Rivalry Full of Untold Stories
Gujarat and Delhi have faced each other across two teams and all matches played are over the timeframe of 2022 – 2025 and while it is more than seven matches to look at for, and specific match results present a pattern of winning and losing, honouring the tradition of the game, there are four wins for Gujarat and three wins for Delhi, although records only explanation is half the story. The chronology of the development of this rivalry is interesting based on its progression and its historical construct, in the fact it has quickened in recent seasons.
Gujarat Titans started furiously and with two consecutive victories, they looked comfortable. Cast your minds back, Delhi Capitals turned up in 2023 and then claimed 2024 months’ worth of victories (won on consecutive match occasions). Finally, in 2025, yet again, Gujarat appeared stronger and more ruthless at controlling the end.
What we find most interesting about the chronology of games in this rivalry is the responsiveness both teams developed to pursue their emerging competitive rivalry. Whether it be Delhi’s ferocious attacks with bowling, or the calm chases Gujarat has undertaken, each match has added richness to the rivalry from season to season.
Future – Where do we go next?
The fresh Delhi Capitals vs Gujarat Titans matchup is not completely comparable to any of the old IPL rivalries that have come about over the years, but this matchup has all but the significance of a long-lasting rivalry. Both franchises from Pakistan have young, exciting player talent, good leadership, and loyal supporters – all of which create an even more entertaining spectacle moving forward.
As the IPL grows, even more significance is assigned to each match. Obviously, the more balanced each encounter is between the two sides, the more likely that only one or two seasons will pass before the form of one team begins to outpace the other, and the subsequent meetings will favour one of the two teams. Can Delhi find the formula to overcome a team with a proven history of dominance over them? Or will the Titans continue to impose their game plan on Delhi and maintain the favored position overall?
We will have to see. For now, if nothing else, we can definitely call the matchups between the Delhi Capitals and the Gujarat Titans fixtures for IPL 2024 calendar. There is history, expectations and the motivation to get the better of an opponent for at least two franchises over the years to come. As this rivalry continues, we will get to see even more wood-bending action, reminiscing, and performances.
The story of Delhi Capitals vs Gujarat Titans is still an evolving tale in the tale of the IPL. And with each passing season, it is becoming an enriched and fascinating tale, epitomising the nature of the league – competitive, uncertain, and completely exciting.
