Bishnoi, Deshpande help Rajasthan Royals defend 210 in nervy finish
Half-centuries from Jurel and Jaiswal punished GT but Sudharsan's fifty and a late Rabada-Rashid partnership gave RR a scare
Half-centuries from Jurel and Jaiswal punished GT but Sudharsan's fifty and a late Rabada-Rashid partnership gave RR a scare
Scorer: Ranjith P | Commentator: Shashwat Kumar
11:49pm That will be all from us for today. But there is another double-header in the IPL tomorrow, and we hope to have your company on Sunday too. Until then, from Ranjith, Raghav and myself (Shashwat), it is goodbye!
Ravi Bishnoi, Player of the Match: (On his preparation for the season) It was a difficult season last year. When I miss my length, I get hit. I was trying to work on my lengths and if anyone hits off those, then no problem. Mental, technical and physical (effort) all together. Had to bowl a lot of balls (to keep improving). (On which was his favourite wicket) The wicket of Rahul (Tewatia). He is a player renowned for such situations. If he would not have been dismissed then, the match could have gone either way. The way Tushar bowled, the way Jofra bowled the 19th, it was a collective effort. It is a young team and we hope to continue entertaining.
Riyan Parag, Rajasthan Royals captain: (On the last two overs) It was just incredible. Took a chance - to go full and fast, and the boys delivered. I was so excited they executed the way they wanted. (On why Jofra bowled the 19th) I was actually going to switch the order but credit to Jurel - he asked me to go with Jofra for the 19th. Wanted to go as fast as possible and as straight as possible (for the final two overs). He (Jurel) has done the hard job. He has batted at 6 and 7. Now that there is an opportunity, I was the first one to say he has to bat at three. Hopefully he can score 700-800 runs and win us the championship.
Rashid Khan, GT captain: We bowled really well, especially after the way they started. We started well with the bat as well. Then, we lost back-to-back wickets and that put us on the back foot. That period of time, we lost the momentum. On a wicket like this, 9-10 per over is not a hard job. The boundaries were coming. We just lost few quick wickets in that period and that did not allow us to keep momentum till the end. (On the middle order) Everyone has their own game-plan. Just to make sure you read the conditions and requirement of the game. Too early, we will learn from our mistakes and come back stronger. (Final over discussions) The discussion was we just needed to hit one boundary. Tushar bowled some exceptional yorkers. But the one ball he missed, I should have hit that for six. Just need to stay calm. It is going to be a long tournament. We learn from it and come back stronger. (On Gill's injury) Hopefully he will be alright for the next game.
Jofra Archer: (On his catch in the final over) Initially, when he hit it, I thought it was going to six. I just ran and hoped for the best, and thankfully it went in. Everything that could have gone right in the field, went right, and I am proud of the boys (and their effort in the field today). (On Deshpande initially being asked to bowl the 19th) Riyan changed his mind. He (Deshpande) was going to bowl the 19th, and I was going to bowl the last. Practice and a game can be two different things. It is just about adapting. One day, we will have to bowl pace-on and pace-off (on other days). (On the pitch) Slower balls were not staying in, so we had to go pace-on.
11:25pm Wow. What a game. The first pure thriller of this IPL. It ebbed one way, and then it flowed the other. RR seemed out of it when Buttler and Sudharsan were at it. And then, in a trice, RR were calling the shots with Bishnoi weaving his magic. Rabada and Rashid then threatened a heist, bringing it down to 15 off 12, only to finally fall short by six runs.
A case, though, could be made that GT should never have brought it this close, which required a rear-guard act from Rabada and Rashid. A glut of middle-order wickets gave RR more than a lifeline and in the end, that was too much to redeem for GT's skipper and an inspired Rabada.
Ronnie: "Archer may not get the accolades for the Royals tonight. But that excellent penultimate over and his catching in the field made all the difference !"
7 off 1. A six and we go into...well, you know where. Anything else, and Deshpande will have pulled off a superb victory. Ashok on strike. Debut IPL season. No pressure, lad
Rashid Khan c Archer b Deshpande 24 (32m 16b 3x4 0x6) SR: 150
This has been an over and some so far. 7 off 2
7 off 3. Deshpande has bowled this final over beautifully so far
Not only did Dhruv Jurel play the innings of the match, he made crucial contributions in the field, his suggestions changing the course of the game and then winning it
Tushar Deshpande was Rajasthan Royals' hero after bowling a 20th over of yorkers to give them victory over Gujarat Titans
Gujarat Titans bowled nine wides and hit just seven sixes in their loss to Rajasthan Royals, both areas of concern for them at IPL 2026
Half-centuries from Jurel and Jaiswal punished GT but Sudharsan's fifty and a late Rabada-Rashid partnership gave RR a scare
Rashid Khan captains GT as Royals became the first team this season to opt to bat after winning the toss