Gujarat Titans climbed to second place in the IPL points table after a commanding 77-run win over Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur, powered by half-centuries from Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan before Rashid Khan’s four-wicket spell sealed the result.
Chasing 230, Rajasthan Royals briefly kept pace with the required rate, reaching 86 for 3 in seven overs. Dhruv Jurel looked dangerous on 24 off 9 balls, but Rashid turned the match decisively when he bowled him through an attempted slog. That wicket opened the door for a collapse, with Rashid finishing with 4 for 36.
The victory took GT to 14 points and extended their winning streak to four matches, strengthening their late push in the tournament.
Gill and Sai Sudharsan Set Up Strong Total
Earlier, Gill and Sai Sudharsan gave Gujarat a dominant start with a 118-run opening partnership. The pair made full use of an erratic Rajasthan powerplay, racing to 82 for 0 after six overs.
Jofra Archer’s opening over lasted 11 deliveries and included nine extras, making it the longest first over in IPL history. GT’s openers did not need to take major risks, as they were offered runs through wayward lines, balls on the pads and short deliveries that sailed over their heads.
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By the end of the powerplay, Gill and Sai Sudharsan were closing in on another century stand, continuing their excellent partnership record in the IPL.
Rajasthan Pull Things Back in Middle Overs
Despite the rapid start, GT’s scoring rate slowed through the middle overs. Gill and Sai Sudharsan both reached their half-centuries off 30 deliveries, but Yash Raj Punja and Ravindra Jadeja bowled tight spells to restrict boundary opportunities.
Punja dismissed Sai Sudharsan for 55 off 36, while Jadeja removed Jos Buttler with a quick delivery that rushed him into a drive to long-off. Gill, who had been affected by a leg issue while running between wickets, continued to anchor the innings before finishing with 84.
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Tewatia and Washington Provide Late Push
After their flying start, GT looked set for a total above 220, but Rajasthan managed to keep them to 208 for 4 after 19 overs. Brijesh Sharma bowled an excellent 19th over, dismissing Jason Holder and conceding only four runs.
However, Tushar Deshpande missed his lengths in the final over, allowing Rahul Tewatia to strike back-to-back sixes. Washington Sundar added another maximum as GT surged to 229 for 4.
Siraj Ends Sooryavanshi’s Threat
Rajasthan’s chase began with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi once again attacking from the outset. He struck Mohammed Siraj for a first-ball six over long-on and followed it with more boundaries despite appearing to struggle while running.
Siraj eventually had the last word, rushing Sooryavanshi with a sharp bouncer that was caught at square leg. Sooryavanshi departed for 36 off 16 balls, leaving Rajasthan needing others to carry the chase.
Siraj and Kagiso Rabada also became the first pair of IPL bowlers to bowl through the powerplay in four consecutive matches.
Rashid Decides the Contest
Once Sooryavanshi and Yashasvi Jaiswal were dismissed, Rajasthan needed Jurel and Jadeja to maintain the tempo. Jurel attacked Siraj before the powerplay ended, but Rashid soon removed him to tilt the match firmly in GT’s favour.
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Rashid bowled with sharp turn and variation, using more legbreaks than usual to keep the batters uncertain. Donovan Ferreira, Harsh Dubey and Jadeja all fell to him as Rajasthan’s chase unravelled.
Holder then cleaned up the tail, taking three wickets in five balls as RR were bowled out for 152. The defeat was their third in four matches.
