Rajasthan Royals Edge Gujarat Titans by 6 Runs to Top IPL 2026 Table
NEW DELHI – The Rajasthan Royals secured a six-run victory over the Gujarat Titans in a high-scoring Indian Premier League fixture, defending a 211-run target in a match decided on the final delivery. The win elevates Rajasthan to the top of the IPL standings with four points from two matches and a net run rate (NRR) of +2.233.
Deshpande Defends Final Over Under Pressure
With Gujarat requiring a boundary on the final delivery, Rajasthan captain Riyan Parag entrusted the ball to pace bowler Tushar Deshpande. Deshpande concluded the match with a dot ball against Ashok Sharma. Sharma attempted to strike a low full toss aimed at the stumps but managed only an inside edge onto his pads, sealing the victory for Rajasthan.
Following the final delivery, the Rajasthan squad rushed the pitch to celebrate Deshpande’s execution. The difficulty for bowlers in modern T20 cricket formats on flat pitches makes targeted execution at the death highly valuable.
Jurel and Jaiswal Anchor Rajasthan Innings
Batting first, the Rajasthan Royals posted 210 for 6 in their 20 overs. Opening batter Yashasvi Jaiswal built the foundation with a 55-run performance, while Dhruv Jurel accelerated the scoring rate through the middle and late overs to register a team-high 75. Lower-order contributions from Shimron Hetmyer pushed the team past the 200-run threshold.
Gujarat’s bowling attack featured a mixed performance against the aggressive top order. Kagiso Rabada claimed 2 wickets for 42 runs, and Mohammed Siraj recorded 1 for 48, but the unit struggled to contain Jurel’s boundary hitting.
Sudharsan Leads Run Chase Amidst Wickets
In response, the Gujarat Titans showed immediate intent. Sai Sudharsan led the scoring with 73 runs, supported by brief performances from Jos Buttler (26) and Rashid Khan. Despite the high scoring rate, regular wicket losses prevented Gujarat from establishing a dominant partnership.
Leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi dismantled the Gujarat middle order, claiming a four-wicket haul and finishing with figures of 4 for 41. Deshpande provided direct support, ending with 1 for 24, including the decisive final over.
Match Summary and Statistics
The fixture demonstrated the high-scoring nature of modern Indian Premier League venues, demanding accurate death bowling from the victorious side.
Brief Scores
| Innings | Score | Top Batters | Top Bowlers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rajasthan Royals | 210/6 (20 overs) | Dhruv Jurel (75), Yashasvi Jaiswal (55) | Kagiso Rabada (2/42), Mohammed Siraj (1/48) |
| Gujarat Titans | 204/8 (20 overs) | Sai Sudharsan (73), Jos Buttler (26) | Ravi Bishnoi (4/41), Tushar Deshpande (1/24) |
Key Match Takeaways
- Result: Rajasthan Royals won by 6 runs.
- Standings: Rajasthan moves to first place with 4 points and a +2.233 NRR.
- Turning Point: Tushar Deshpande conceding zero runs on the final delivery against Ashok Sharma.