Former India leg-spinner Anil Kumble heaped praise on Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill and Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan after the duo helped their side secure a commanding 77-run win over Rajasthan Royals on Saturday. Gill’s composed batting set the foundation, while Rashid returned to form with a sharp pace-backed burst that dismantled the chase at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur.
Match impact: Gill’s 84 and Rashid’s 4-33
Gujarat Titans posted a formidable total of 229/4 in their innings, with Gill once again steering the batting effort through the middle overs. In response, Rajasthan Royals were restricted to 152 all out in 16.3 overs, handing the visitors a decisive victory.
- Gujarat Titans: 229/4 at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium
- Rajasthan Royals: 152 all out in 16.3 overs
- Rashid Khan: 4 wickets for 33 runs
- Result: Gujarat Titans won by 77 runs
Kumble on Gill: elegance, control and batting deep
After the match, Kumble described Gill as one of the most attractive top-order batters in contemporary cricket, stressing that his approach is built on timing and judgement rather than spectacle. He also pointed to Gill’s knack for turning early steadiness into long, influential innings—an ability that helps Gujarat repeatedly reach imposing totals.
- Gill’s style is “pleasing” and not built on excessive flash
- He plays each delivery on its value, maintaining control even when going for bigger shots
- Kumble highlighted how Gill converts starts into meaningful innings
- Batting deep once set helps Gujarat push totals beyond the 200-mark
- Kumble singled out the Rajasthan Royals game as a clear example of that pattern
Kumble’s analysis: why Rashid looked sharper against RR
Kumble also broke down Rashid Khan’s performance, saying the spinner appeared significantly more dangerous due to an increase in pace through the air. He noted that Rashid had shown reduced pace at different points—both last season and during the first half of this IPL—yet felt that the match versus Rajasthan Royals showcased his effectiveness at its best.
- Rashid attacked the stumps with clear intent and executed his plans well
- Kumble felt Rashid’s pace was “spot on” against RR
- He had previously slowed his pace at stages in the last season and early this IPL, which impacted his threat
- Against Rajasthan, the return of his quicker movement made a major difference
Quicker, skidding deliveries as Rashid’s key weapon
Kumble further argued that Rashid’s fastest, skidding deliveries remain his biggest T20 advantage. Instead of depending only on spin, flight or deception, those quicker balls tend to force batters into mistakes by rushing them—particularly when the ball skids and moves away from the batter. Kumble compared this to how many spinners typically generate confusion by looping the ball in the air, saying Rashid achieves the same—or greater—effect through pace and sharp variation.
- Rashid beats batters with speed rather than relying primarily on flight or turn
- Many spinners deceive by looping the ball in the air
- Rashid rushes batters with extra pace to create uncertainty
- The quicker, skidding deliveries that move away often lead to errors
