Rajasthan Royals held their nerve to beat Gujarat Titans by six runs in a nail-biting finish at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Saturday. Chasing a challenging 211, Gujarat Titans looked set for a successful run before a dramatic wobble in the middle and late overs turned the match their way briefly—only for Rajasthan’s bowlers to close it out. Ravi Bishnoi and Tushar Deshpande were central to the turnaround, with Deshpande delivering the final over under immense pressure after Jofra Archer kept the equation tight in the penultimate stage.
Match setting: 211 to defend and a last-ball finish
Rajasthan Royals posted a target of 211, a number that demanded discipline throughout the chase. Gujarat Titans, despite controlling phases of their run, ultimately faltered when the game tightened in the final stretch. The decisive moment came in the death overs, where Rajasthan’s bowlers combined accuracy with timely breakthroughs to deny Gujarat the margin they needed.
Bishnoi sparks the collapse as Titans slip from control
Earlier in the chase, Gujarat Titans were comfortably placed at 103 for 1 after 10 overs. However, the momentum shifted when Ravi Bishnoi struck through the middle overs. His spell altered the rhythm of the innings and set up a collapse that Gujarat couldn’t recover from.
- Ravi Bishnoi finished with figures of four wickets as Gujarat Titans slid to 161 for 7.
- The collapse began after Bishnoi’s breakthrough spell through the middle phase of the chase.
- Bishnoi later explained his approach was to bowl on a good line on a wicket that offered some stickiness at that stage.
Death-overs drama: Archer’s restraint and Deshpande’s yorkers
With 15 runs required off the last two overs, Gujarat Titans needed their bowlers’ execution to swing in their favor—but Rajasthan tightened the screws. Jofra Archer conceded only four runs in the penultimate over, changing the pressure level heading into the final set. Deshpande then took charge in the last over, repeatedly landing yorkers to seal the result.
- Archer’s penultimate over yielded just four runs, keeping Gujarat’s chase under pressure.
- Deshpande bowled the final over to perfection, using yorkers to bring the match home for Rajasthan.
Capturing the pressure: quotes from Bishnoi and Deshpande
After the win, Bishnoi praised Deshpande’s effort, emphasising that victories often hinge on the bowlers as much as the batters. Deshpande, who returned after missing the season opener due to injury, spoke about the intensity of the moment and his plan to execute yorkers despite conditions that affected his slower-ball option.
- Bishnoi said it is “not always about batters” and highlighted that the bowlers’ game is still on, adding his tribute to Deshpande’s work.
- Deshpande acknowledged his heart rate was high but revealed he carried a clear belief of delivering yorkers in the final over.
- He noted the wicket was “very good,” there was a slight bit of dew, and that the slower ball wasn’t gripping as much as expected.
- Deshpande described his execution as coming under pressure with “God’s grace,” while aiming for a high-percentage ball.
Deshpande’s comeback after injury
Deshpande also reflected on missing the season opener against Chennai Super Kings due to an injury, describing the situation as unfortunate and saying he was motivated to not let the team down. He pointed to how preparation and the group’s intensity improved after Kumar Sangakkara’s arrival as head coach, and how the squad’s togetherness and planning helped him feel ready for this match.
Bishnoi on his wicket-reading and field setup
Bishnoi explained that his aim was to bowl on a good line and that the size of the ground meant batters would need to work differently. He said Riyan and Dhruv had noticed some stickiness in the wicket at that time, prompting him to target the ball in a particular way, including accounting for a left-handed batter. He added that once the ball was released and it landed in the right area, the spell started to click.
What it means for both teams
Rajasthan Royals strengthened their momentum with this victory. Gujarat Titans, meanwhile, suffered consecutive defeats and will look to regroup quickly in their next match against Delhi Capitals in Delhi.
