IPL 2024: Gujarat Titans Inflict First Defeat on Rajasthan Royals in High-octane Clash

Gujarat Titans scored a thrilling win against Rajasthan Royals at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on Wednesday. RR set the visitors a target of 197 runs to win the game as GT successfully chased down Shubman Gill’s 72-run innings and match-winning cameos from Rahul Tewatia and Rashid Khan by 3 wickets. GT won the toss and elected RR to bat first, as the hosts got off to a quick start thanks to young southpaw Yashaswi Jaiswal. The opener chipped in with a 24-run contribution at the top before being sent back to the hut by Umesh Yadav as Matthew Wade caught him behind the wicket. Fellow opener Jos Buttler joined the young Indian soon after Afghan spin wizard Rashid Khan scalped the Englishman with a pitched delivery that hit a grateful Rahul Tewatia in the slips.

RR were 42/2 in the sixth over as skipper Sanju Samson and youngster Ryan Parag steadied the hosts’ innings as the duo put on a 130-run stand for the 3rd wicket. Parag went to the front of the attack to take the bowlers to the cleaners, as Samson took a relatively conservative approach and only got boundaries on loose balls. Parag, who has been incredible this season, continued his good touch with 76 runs before being dismissed by Mohit Sharma.

Samson remained unbeaten on 68 alongside Shimron Hetmyer, who contributed two boundaries to take RR to 196/3 in 20 overs.

Gujarat started their chase with captain Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan, who put on a 64-run partnership for the first wicket. Sudarsan was the first to be caught in front of the wicket by Kuldeep Sen in the 9th over of the game. Wade came on to replace his teammate, however, the game was slightly delayed due to rain at the end of 10 overs. When the batsmen came out to continue their innings after the rain cover was removed, Wade pulled a ball from Sen outside his stumps. Sen took his three wickets in the same over when he dismissed Abhinav Manohar for just one run. Vijay Shankar, who added 16 off 10 balls, was scalped by Yuzvendra Chahal as the batsman was bowled over by the wily spinner.

Gill brought up his half-century as he kept GT on track, but Chahal struck again to dismiss the Gujarat captain as Samson did well behind the wicket to take a crucial wicket stumping. Avesh Khan got rid of Shahrukh Khan, who threatened to be lethal with a massive six and a well-crafted four at Guy’s corner, as the seamer was dismissed lbw to send the batter back to the dugout. Sen returned to bowl the 19th over and Rashid Khan and Rahul Tewatia scored 20 off the pacer’s over to take GT closer to victory. GT did well to reduce the equation to 14 runs needed in the last over. The game turned sour as Tevatia was dismissed for 22 off 11 balls and Rashid was facing the last ball as his team needed 2 runs off the last ball. The Afghan finished with a boundary to remain unbeaten on 24 off 11 balls as GT secured a surprise win.