Ahmedabad: Rajasthan Royals (210/6 in 20 overs) edged past Gujarat Titans (204/8 in 20 overs) by six runs in a nail-biting last-over finish on Saturday, climbing to the top of the IPL points table. Delhi and Punjab occupy the second and third spots respectively. Gujarat, meanwhile, slumped to their second consecutive defeat.
Rajasthan’s one-down batter Dhruv Jurel (75 off 42 balls, 5 sixes, 5 fours) played a decisive knock, while Gujarat opener Sai Sudharsan (73 off 44 balls, 3 sixes, 9 fours) failed to convert his innings into a match-winning effort. Fast bowler Tushar Deshpande (3-0-24-1) emerged as the hero, successfully defending 11 runs in the final over to secure victory for Rajasthan.
After Jos Buttler’s 26 (with five fours) ended in the 14th over, Gujarat lost grip on the match. Contributions from Rahul Tewatia (12) and M. Shahrukh Khan (11) were limited, but stand-in captain Rashid Khan (24 off 16 balls) took responsibility and fought hard to take his side over the line. He received strong support from Kagiso Rabada (23* off 16 balls), with the duo building momentum steadily. However, Rashid’s dismissal on the fifth ball of the final over dashed Gujarat’s hopes.
Captain Shubman Gill missed the match due to muscle discomfort. Rashid Khan, playing his 62nd game, surpassed Gill’s record for the most appearances for Gujarat. Earlier, a solid 78-run opening partnership in eight overs between Sai Sudharsan and Kumar Kushagra (18 off 14 balls, 3 fours) had laid a strong foundation, but it ultimately went in vain.
Earlier, Rajasthan’s total of 210/6 was powered by Dhruv Jurel’s 75, Yashasvi Jaiswal’s 55, and Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s 31. Yashasvi scored his 55 off 36 balls, hitting 3 sixes and 6 fours. After the opening stand between Yashasvi and Vaibhav, Jurel and Shimron Hetmyer accelerated the innings at the Narendra Modi Stadium. Jurel smashed five sixes and five fours, while Hetmyer contributed a quick 18 featuring two sixes and a four.
All five Gujarat bowlers picked up wickets, with Rabada being the most successful with two scalps.
Yashasvi and Vaibhav once again stitched a 65-plus partnership. On March 30 against Chennai, the duo had added 75 runs, helping Rajasthan win a low-scoring encounter.
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Vaibhav scored 31 off 18 balls (1 six, 5 fours) before being caught by Glenn Phillips at deep mid-wicket off Rashid Khan while attempting a big shot. Like Chennai’s Ruturaj Gaikwad and Lucknow’s Rishabh Pant, Rajasthan captain Riyan Parag is yet to hit peak form with the bat. He was dismissed for 8 on Saturday, though he has led his team to victories in both matches as captain.
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