Gujarat Titans vs Rajasthan Royals, Match 9 Match Summary

That's a wrap - A highly entertaining double header comes to a close. In the day game, Delhi Capitals won in a commanding fashion against Mumbai Indians, with the day ending with an RR win over GT in a fiercely contested game in Ahmedabad. Up next, it's another double header scheduled on Sunday, 5th April. The day begins with Sunrisers Hyderabad hosting Lucknow Super Giants in Hyderabad at 3.30 pm IST (10 am GMT). It will then be followed by a highly anticipated southern derby as defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru take on the Chennai Super Kings at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium at 7.30 pm IST (2 pm GMT). But do join us in advance for all the buildup. Until then, take care, cheers!

RR edge GT out in their own backyard - The Rajasthan Royals maintain their unbeaten run with two wins in as many games and go top of the table, dethroning the Capitals. They now head to Guwahati, to host the Mumbai Indians on Tuesday, April 7th. As for Gujarat Titans, they will need to lift themselves up from back-to-back defeats and will aim to open their account in their next assignment. They travel to the national capital to face the Delhi Capitals on Wednesday, 8th April. Both the games are scheduled for a 7.30 pm IST (2 pm GMT) start.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH - ​​​​​RR's Ravi Bishnoi gets the award along with the Purple Cap for his exceptional bowling spell of 4/41. On being asked about his preparations heading into this season, he reflects on a difficult year gone by, one that tested him but never broke him. He says that he stuck to his strengths, and kept trusting his process and leaned on his length as his primary weapon. Mentions that domestic cricket kept him sharp, and a couple of series with the national side added to his confidence heading into the IPL. On the mental, physical and technical adjustments he had to make, Bishnoi says a lot of effort goes into the amount of bowling he does, whether before a match, during the domestic season, or in the off-season. On his favourite wicket from the four he picked up, Bishnoi says he enjoyed all four but singles out Rahul Tewatia's dismissal as particularly pleasing, noting that Rahul is considered a master of such situations. On the importance of his performance, Bishnoi is quick to shift focus to the team, saying what matters is that RR won. He also credits Tushar Deshpande for an excellent final over and Jofra Archer for bowling a brilliant 19th, calling it a collective effort.

The victorious captain of Rajasthan Royals - Riyan Parag says that the last two overs were outstanding and he is really happy that the plan to go full and fast at the death worked out. Mentions that actually it was Tushar Deshpande, who was going to bowl the 19th over and Jofra Archer the 20th, but credits Dhruv Jurel, who told him to switch up the order. Further adds that Jurel has been fantastic at number 3, and hopefully, he is someone who can play a big role and win them the title. Ends by saying that they are pumped up and looking forward to the next game in Guwahati.

... Time for the post-match Presentation ...

A quick word from Jofra Archer - On being asked about the stunning catch to dismiss Rashid Khan in the final over, Archer admits that he had written it off the moment it left the bat. Explains that the trajectory suggested it was a six, but adds that he just ran and hoped for the best and kept going. Says that somehow it stuck. He feels proud of the way the fielding unit stepped up nicely, noting that everything that could have gone right in the field did go right. On the bowling changes, Archer reveals that there was a last-minute reshuffle. Shares that Deshpande was originally set to bowl the 19th over, with him taking the last, but adds that Riyan Parag had a change of heart. Archer stresses the importance of reading the game as it unfolds, noting that what works in the nets does not always translate to match day. Adaptability, he says, is everything. Shares that the slower balls were not gripping or staying in, which forced them to adjust their plans and go predominantly pace-on through the back end of the innings.

The stand-in captain of Gujarat Titans - Rashid Khan says that they bowled well to restrict the opposition to 210 runs. Also mentions that they started really well with the bat, but those back-to-back wickets after the 10th over took away all the momentum from them. Adds that on a wicket like this, getting 9 or 10 runs an over is not a big deal and it was just about those clusters of wickets in a short span of time that cost them. On the middle order woes, Rashid says that everyone has their own process and they try to learn from their mistakes and come back stronger in the next game. On the final over, Rashid says that the conversation with Kagiso Rabada was to try and get just one boundary to take the pressure off but credits Tushar Deshpande for the way he bowled and feels that he bowled just one bad ball, which Rashid feels he himself should have put away.

The Royals posted a mountain - It was just another game where 200 was breached. The moment Jaiswal and Sooryavanshi settled in together, the question was never whether RR would get to 200. It was always by how much. Sooryavanshi was more measured than usual but kept the innings ticking, giving Jaiswal the platform he thrives on. The left-hander duly brought up his fifty and looked every bit in control. Jurel was slow to get going but found his timing when it mattered most, adding a fifty of his own to put the seal on a total that had been building all innings. Gujarat Titans will look back at this with some frustration. Restricting themselves to five bowlers with Siraj going for plenty, put the rest of the attack under unnecessary pressure. Rashid was sharper than his last outing, Rabada offered resistance, but it was Ashok who stood out, consistently with express pace.

Lower order kept GT alive - Dead and buried. That was Gujarat Titans' situation at one stage, with Buttler and Tewatia both back in the hut and the chase slipping away fast. But Rabada and Rashid had other ideas. Rashid's power hitting is no secret, but Rabada matched him blow for blow, muscling a few into the stands with equal conviction. Together, they put on 43 crucial runs and dragged GT back from the ashes. But couldn't land the knockout punch. Eleven needed off the last over, and Deshpande stood at the top of his mark and delivered one of the finest overs of his career. Yorker after yorker, he kept GT agonisingly so close yet so far from the win.

A denting collapse in the middle phase - As dominating the start was for GT in the initial ten overs, it all fell apart after that. Sudharsan's dismissal was the trigger and GT's middle order, fragile at the best of times, had no response. Bishnoi tore through them with ruthless efficiency, reducing GT from 107/1 to 155/6 in what felt like the blink of an eye. The platform that had been so carefully built was reduced to rubble in the space of a few overs.

Quick out of the blocks - No Gill, no problem. Sudharsan took one look at the situation and decided it was his evening to step up. From the first over he was at it, making the powerplay count in the way only the best top-order batters can. Loose deliveries were put away without hesitation. Kumar Kushagra, the new opening partner, read the situation well, held his end up, which allowed the freedom for Sudharsan to take the game on. Kushagra eventually fell, but GT were in a commanding position with 103/1 on the board and Sudharsan smashing a free-flowing half century.

An IPL classic in Ahmedabad - Tushar Deshpande upholds the trust shown in him by the skipper. Entrusted with the final over under immense pressure, he was inch-perfect from start to finish. He is off for a celebratory run and is over the moon, and rightly so. GT are crestfallen and will have to lift themselves up from a defeat that will be a bit too bitter to swallow.

That's it, it's all over. Tushar Deshpande has done it, Rajasthan Royals win by 6 runs. Tushar Deshpande runs away in celebration and what a last couple of overs these have been from him and Jofra Archer. A total of 8 runs conceded in the last 2 overs. Coming to the delivery, this is bowled full and straight, ends up being a low full toss, actually. Ashok Sharma gets low and has a swipe across the line but only manages an inside edge onto the pads.

Excellent by the bowler, even better from Archer, the fielder. Ashok Sharma comes out to face the last ball as GT need 7 runs.

OUT! CAUGHT! A fine catch under pressure from Jofra Archer and you can see the delight on the RR's skipper's face. Riyan Parag is absolutely pumped. Tushar Deshpande goes full and wide. Rashid Khan extends his arms and reaches for it, forcing the lofted shot wide of deep backward point. Rashid just doesn't get enough power on it but Archer covers plenty of ground to his right and slides across to cling onto the ball with both hands. A 6 to send up into a Super Over as RR now need 7 runs off one ball.

Trying to be a bit too cute. Full-pitched delivery, wide outside off, Khan walks across and tries to lap it over fine leg but ends up nutmegging himself.

Just one more. Another yorker, angled across off, Kagiso Rabada toe-ends it back down the pitch. Tushar does well to dive to his right in his follow-through and get a hand on it. Only another single. 7 needed off 3 balls.

On the money is Tushar Deshpande. A corker of a yorker, just outside off, Rashid Khan manages to open the bat face and squeeze it down to deep third for a single.

Hard length outside off, hit away through covers for just a single.

WIDE! Full and well wide of the off stump line. Rabada swings and misses. 10 needed off 6 now.

Last over coming up. Tighten your seatbelts, folks. All results are very much possible. Tushar Deshpande (2-0-20-0) to wrap up. Interesting decision to go with Tushar with Burger still having an over left in his spell. Can he do the job for his side? Let's see...

Gets away with it, does Archer but what a fine over otherwise from him, just 4 runs off it. A high and wide full toss, Kagiso Rabada reaches out to carve it away but misses. The keeper fumbles and the batters pinch a bye. There's also a review for a possible no-ball. The third umpire checks the replays and finds that it is below the waist-height and it stays a legal ball.

Is that a no ball? Kagiso Rabada feels it has passed above waist height and opts for a review. Is it dipping? Is it high enough? The Ball Tracking with the graphics confirms that it is slightly below the waist height. Fair delivery, it is.

Good length, attacking the stumps, KG only manages to hit it back to the bowler. Archer makes a half stop but it remains a dot ball.

NOT OUT! Rashid Khan knew it straightaway and wasn't fazed at all with the review. Jofra Archer goes full and quick, aiming the ball at the stumps. Khan looks to stay back and play a whip over the leg side but misses. The ball thuds into the pads and rolls to short fine leg for a single. Archer's appeal for LBW is turned down but he seems certain that this is Out. Riyan Parag sends it upstairs but UltraEdge quickly confirms the presence of the inside edge, and the on-field decision stands.

A review taken for LBW by the Royals, challenging the on-field decision of not out. UltraEdge shows a clear spike and the on-field decision is upheld.

Back of a length, angled into the batter again. No room for Rabada to work with and he snatches the pull shot towards deep square leg for one. 13 needed off 9 now.

Short ball, right into the body. Rabada tries to back away and get it away with a pull but misses out.

Pitched fuller and around off, at 144.1 kph. Khan takes a couple of steps ahead to swing across the line but gets an inside edge onto the pads. The ball rolls into the off side, and they pick up a single.

What a tight contest this has been in Ahmedabad! GT almost looked dead and buried but Rabada and Rashid have given them a real chance here. Jofra Archer (3-0-35-0) is given the responsibility to bowl the 19th over. Initially, Deshpande had the ball in hand, but the skipper opted to go with a more experienced bowler in Archer for this crucial over.