Gujarat Titans vs Rajasthan Royals, IPL, 2026 Apr 4 Full score card

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.

Gets the yorker in this time, does Sandeep Sharma. Just outside off, squeezed away square on the off side for a run. 15 needed off the last 2 overs.

Very full, lands it around leg stump, Rashid jams it down through the backward square leg region. Seems to be an easy brace but Ravindra Jadeja fires in another great throw towards the keeper, and Rashid has to hustle to safety.

A wide full toss, Rabada backs away a bit and reaches for it, hitting it towards cover for a single.

SIX! Kagiso Rabada is playing a blinder right now. Slower ball from around the wicket, but right in the slot around off. KG backs away, frees those arms and whacks it straight down the ground for a huge six. 19 needed off 15 balls.

Good length in the channel, pushed away past point for a single by Khan.

FOUR! Oh, this is impressive from the GT lower order. Sharma sees Rashid advancing and spears in a full ball outside off. Rashid adjusts well, halts his charge and squeezes it past short third for a boundary.

Right. 30 needed off the last 18 balls. Very much doable. Sandeep Sharma (2-0-19-0) is back on.

FOUR! Lovely shot. Slightly flighted, fuller as well and on middle and off. Kagiso Rabada leans ahead and lofts it back over the bowler's head for a boundary. Ravi Bishnoi ends with figures of 4-0-41-4.

Flatter again, around off, pushed away towards cover.

A slip in place for the left-hander and Bishnoi immediately goes past the outside edge. The googly, quicker and darting away from off stump. Kagiso Rabada looks to play a late dab but is beaten.

Fuller one, just outside off, Khan leans on and blocks it into the off side, pinching a quick single in the process as well.

FOUR! This chase is still very much alive. Fired in again by Bishnoi, a tad short and wide, though. Rashid Khan backs away and cuts it behind point for a boundary. 35 needed off 22 balls.

Flatter delivery on off, Rabada hops back in the crease and wrists it in front of mid-wicket for one.

STRATEGIC BREAK! So much has changed since the last break. The game has flipped upside down with Rajasthan Royals in total command at the moment. Sudharsan's dismissal was the moment the chase went south. GT's middle order, so often a question mark against this side, was blown away one by one. Ravi Bishnoi has been the wrecker in chief who still has an over left in his spell. For GT, Rashid Khan is the last recognised batter who has the ability to hit the long ball. And Bishnoi will bowl out after the break.

Oh, Rashid tries something really cheeky here. Hard-length delivery on middle, Rashid stays a bit low and compact and tries to play a no-look whip shot but gets it high on the bat. A bit more bounce and Rashid could have been hit on the grill of the helmet, risky choice of shot.

Full toss on off, hit down to mid off for just a single. 40 needed off 25, very much gettable but GT have just 3 wickets in hand.

SIX! Oh, that's a clean strike from KG! Hard length, around the top of off, Kagiso Rabada backs away nice and early and gets a hold of the lofted shot, lifting it over long off for a biggie.

Full toss on middle, darting back in, Rashid stays low and plays it with an open bat face past point for one more.

Good hustle from the batters. A yorker on middle stump, at 141.8 kph. Rabada gets his front pad out of the way and digs it in front of mid off for a quick single.

Full-pitched delivery, on off, Rashid Khan hangs deep in the crease and hammers it to deep cover for a single.

Beauty! Fuller googly, starts on middle and spins away outside off. Rabada defends from the crease but hangs his bat inside the line and gets beaten on the outside edge.

The next batter is in. It is Kagiso Rabada, who walks in at number 9 for GT.

OUT! SHAHRUKH KHAN IS RUN OUT! It is going downhill for the Titans ever so rapidly now. Full and tossed up outside off, Rashid drills it to sweeper cover. Jadeja moves to his right from deep cover point, stops it cleanly and fires in a flat, quick throw at the striker's end. Shahrukh is called for the third but is caught struggling to get home at the striker's end. Perhaps they did not notice it was Jadeja out there. You simply do not take on that arm. The keeper collects a fairly rocket throw by Jadeja and whips the bails off with Shahrukh out of his crease.

Oh, this looks close. The reaction of the Rajasthan Royals players, especially the keeper, indicates that this might be Out. The third umpire is having a look and replays confirm that Shahrukh Khan is short of his ground at the keeper's end. OUT comes up on the big screen.

FOUR! Oh, almost a five-for for Bishnoi. How has that missed the stumps? Quicker googly on a hard length outside off, spins back in and skids through. Rashid stays back and tries to cut at it but gets a faint inside edge. It goes just above the leg stump, and beats Jurel to his left to race behind to the fence.

Five wickets down for GT in the space of 4 overs. This also brings in stand-in skipper Rashid Khan to the crease.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Bishnoi responds strongly with a 4-for and lets out a huge roar. Dishes out a googly outside off, and the over-spin does the trick. Tewatia shapes to cut it behind point but the ball grips and bounces a bit, and kisses the top edge before going into Jurel's gloves. A sharp take by the keeper. Gujarat Titans are 155/6, needing 56 from 33 balls.

SIX! Innovative and mighty effective! Pulls the length slightly back, does Bishnoi. Keeps it on the off-stump line. Rahul Tewatia switches his stance and nails the reverse sweep flatly behind deep backward point for a six.

FOUR! Races away. The one that makes the bowler scratch his head as there was nothing wrong with the ball. A quick googly, on middle and off, full in length. Tewatia tries to flick it against the spin, but gets a thick leading edge and the ball shoots past the vacant first slip for a boundary.

FOUR! Neatly done! A well-directed short ball coming in and around the bodyline. Shahrukh Khan deals with it by arching back. Uses the pace and ramps it over the keeper for a boundary.

Full and with pace taken off, around off. Khan pushes it to the mid off region.

SIX! Wow, what a sound off the bat. Banged in short and around off, just not short enough. Shahrukh Khan swivels back and pummels the pull shot in front of square leg for a biggie.

Shorter ball outside off, slower too, dabbed down to extra cover for a single.

Good length ball angled in at off and middle. This is clipped towards square leg for a single.

The next batter is Shahrukh Khan, who comes in as the Impact Sub for GT, replacing Prasidh Krishna.

Prasidh Krishna is substituted by Shahrukh Khan

OUT! CAUGHT IN THE DEEP! This is like a hammer blow on the Titans as they lose the set Buttler. 100th T20 wicket for Nandre Burger. Short and angled in outside off, and it hurries onto Buttler quicker than he expects. Gets big on him too, the angle from around the wicket making it awkward to put away cleanly. Buttler commits to the pull but cannot keep it under control, as the ball goes off the top edge towards deep fine leg and Sandeep dives forward to scoop the ball. 107/1 becomes 133/5 now and things are looking ominous for the hosts as they still need 78 from 41 balls.

An in-angler onto the pads, on a good length, Buttler nudges it through mid-wicket for a single.

Short outside off, slapped behind point for a single.

A shade fuller and around off, Tewatia eases it to the point region.

Gujarat Titans seem to have pushed the self-destruct button here. Out walks Rahul Tewatia to bat.

OUT! CAUGHT! The slide continues for the Titans. Full in length and on the pads, there to be hit and Sundar's eyes light up to go for another big one. He tries to get under it and launch over deep mid-wicket, but the room just is not there. Plinks straight to deep mid-wicket instead. A simple catching practice for Ravindra Jadeja stationed in the deep. 107/1 becomes 131/4 for the Titans in the chase of 211 runs.

FOUR! A good way to get off the mark! Full ball outside the off stump. Sundar lunges forward and then lofts it aerially over the bowler's head for a boundary.

Two rather quick wickets for Ravi Bishnoi and Gujarat Titans are 3 down. Washington Sundar walks in at number 5.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND CAUGHT! Bishnoi gets his second and Deep Dasgupta on air mentions that he completes 200 T20 wickets and is the youngest Indian to do so. A flat googly on off, on a length, sliding into the batter. Phillips backs away to muscle it downtown but cannot free his arms as he is cramped for room. Hence, he does not get enough power on the shot to clear the ropes. Chips it tamely towards long on and Archer comes charging in off the boundary, dives forward and takes a fine catch. Gujarat Titans are 127/3, needing 84 off 47 balls.

FOUR! Dismissed out of his presence! A genuine half-tracker outside off. Jos Buttler stands tall and hammers it with a pull shot, between long on and deep mid-wicket for a cracking four.

FOUR! That's top shot, in total control. Touch fuller in length, around the fourth stump. Jos Buttler hits it through the line by pressing forward and lofts it over the extra cover fielder for a boundary. Geez, that has blazed away to the ropes in the blink of an eye.

Slow into the pitch, outside off. Phillips rises with the bounce and cuts it behind square on the off side for a run.

Back of a length, on off, Jos Buttler punches it on the rise behind backward point for a single.

FOUR! Helped behind! Full outside off, Buttler moves across the stumps and ramps it nonchalantly over the keeper for a boundary.

A fractionally full ball and this is bunted off the front foot towards point for a single.

FOUR! Played with finesse! Outside off, on a length, Jos Buttler is quick to pivot on the back foot and cuts it late through backward point for a boundary.

Dishes out a googly, short on off. Phillips rocks back and knocks it down to long on for a single.

Out goes Sudharsan after a hugely productive knock, putting his team in command. In walks Glenn Phillips at number 4.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! Bishnoi strikes in his first over and gets the big fish. GT are 107/1, chasing 211. Not the best of balls Bishnoi has bowled, but he won't mind getting a wicket. A drag-downer, googly on middle and leg, there to be hit, and Sudharsan knew it. Shapes up for the big swing over deep square leg but could not keep it down, skewing it off the top edge straight to Deshpande at deep backward square leg instead.

Another googly, on a shortish length. A defensive push from Sudharsan to the off side.

Oh, Buttler gets away with it! Darts one on a good length, outside off. Buttler shimmies down the track and tries to slap it through cover, but gets a bottom edge past the keeper for a single.

A flat googly, short around off, at 91.1 kph. Sai rocks back and whips it to deep mid-wicket for a single. Oh dear! That's a cardinal sin from a spinner. It is not for overstepping, but cutting the return crease. Free Hit coming up.

Starts off with a short ball, on leg. Buttler hangs deep and heaves it over mid on for a single.

At halfway, GT are 103/1, looking in absolute command at the moment. At the same stage, RR were 97/1. The Titans need 108 more runs from 60 balls. And now, it's Ravi Bishnoi's time to roll his arm over.

FOUR! Sudharsan seems to have an answer to every single delivery right now. Another slower bumper, over middle, and around shoulder height. Sai Sudharsan watches it well, bends back and ramps it nicely over the keeper's head for another boundary.

Slower one into the pitch and outside off, Jos Buttler rises up and manages to pull it down through square leg for a single.

Hard length outside off, played away with an angled bat towards point.

FOUR! Wow, glorious timing from Buttler. Fuller one around off, Jos Buttler stays back a bit but gets his hands out in front and with a fairly gentle push, he gets it through extra cover for a boundary.

Good hustle from the RR skipper. Slower one, back of a length and outside off. Sudharsan toe-ends the slap and gets it wide of mid off. Riyan Parag scampers to his right and dives in to keep it down to a single.

Back of a length, around leg, Buttler misses the clip and the ball goes off his hips to backward square leg. They pick up a leg bye.

Nandre Burger returns into the attack. Went for 7 runs off his first over. He replaces Riyan Parag.

Quicker delivery around off, Sudharsan backs away and cuts it late, straight to short third. 119 more needed off 66 balls.

SIX! That is a COLOSSAL HIT! Full and around off, there to be hit. Sai Sudharsan goes down on one knee and slog sweeps it handsomely over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

A slight halt in play as one of the zinger bails at the non-striker's end has malfunctioned. It has been replaced now and we are good to go.

Fired in towards the stumps, Sudharsan slogs it down the ground. The fielder at long on does well to move quickly and cuts it off to his right, keeping it down to two runs.

FOUR! Put away with ease. Short and wide outside off, Sudharsan rocks back and cuts it hard through the point region for a boundary.

Jadeja gives this one a bit more air, bowling it full on off. Jos Buttler eases it down to long off and gets off the mark with a single.

Quick and flat, on off, stabbed into the leg side for a single.

STRATEGIC BREAK! Despite the wicket off the last ball, this has been a ballistic start by the Gujarat Titans in their run chase of 211. There's not much difference between the two teams as GT are 78/1, and RR were 80/1 at the same stage. Breaking the opening stand, the Royals would look to slow things down and, even better, pick up a couple more to push the Titans for a rebuild. And given how top-heavy this GT unit is, they would aim to build another steady partnership through this middle phase. The Titans still need 133 runs from 72 balls as Jos Buttler makes his way out to the crease at number 3. Ravindra Jadeja to continue after the break.

OUT! CAUGHT! A bit of magic on the boundary ropes from Shimron Hetmyer hands the Royals their first wicket. Riyan Parag flights it up and bowls it just across the right-hander. Kumar Kushagra goes on one knee and looks to smoke it over cow corner but ends up lifting it straighter towards long on. The ball seems to be just sailing over but Hetmyer settles himself just inside the ropes, takes it over his head and manages to flick it back up before he goes over the ropes. He casually walks back in to pouch it safely and the replays confirm it is a clean catch. End of a 78-run opening stand for GT.

Has Hetmyer caught it cleanly? The on-field umpires send it upstairs to check the legality of the catch. Hetmyer takes the catch, and realises that he is about to lose his balance and lobs the ball up. Momentarily goes beyond the ropes and balances himself to take it on the second attempt. It is deemed a fair catch. OUT loads on the giant screen.

Dragged length, slower and angled into the batter. Sudharsan taps it down through mid-wicket and picks up a single.

SIX! A 13th IPL FIFTY for Sai Sudharsan and he's turning out to be the mainstay of GT's batting. And in Gill's absence, he has stepped up very responsibly here. Full toss on off, Sudharsan gets under the flight of the ball and swats it over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

Floated up on leg, sliding down the leg side, Sudharsan sits down to sweep but misses and gets hit on the pads.

A bit more round-arm, fired in at the stumps, Sudharsan blocks it off.

FOUR! Just like Jadeja, Parag is also welcomed into the attack with a boundary by Sai Sudharsan. Loopy delivery, too full and outside off. Sudharsan has all the time in the world to lean on and drill it wide of long off for a boundary.

Spin brought in tandem now. But nope, it's not Bishnoi. The skipper, Riyan Parag, himself comes into the attack now and replaces Sandeep Sharma.

Length ball on off, Sai presses back and nudges it down in front of mid-wicket for another single. 11 off the over.

Nagging length around off, holds in the deck a touch, Kushagra chips the drive through mid off for one more.

Short again, but fired in around off at 100.5 kph. Sudharsan swivels and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Bowled well short and over middle, Sudharsan rocks back and pulls it down to wide deep mid-wicket for two more runs.

Aimed at the stumps, tucked away into the big gap at mid-wicket for a couple of runs more.

FOUR! Oh, deft touch from Sudharsan. Flatter delivery, slightly short and outside off. Sai waits back, gets low and just angles it away down to deep third for a boundary.

A very profitable Powerplay for Gujarat Titans. They are 56/0, but the Royals were quite ahead at the same stage, with 69/0 on the board. The hosts need 155 runs from 84 balls. And here's Ravindra Jadeja into the attack, replacing Tushar Deshpande.

Misses out again, does Kushagra. A leg-stump half volley but Kushagra misses the flick and wears it on the pads. The Titans end the Powerplay at 56/0.

A bumper now, around off, doesn't rise as much. Kumar bends his back to play the ramp but misses out.

FOUR! Kumar Kushagra chances his arm now and picks up a boundary. Slower one, short of a good length and around off. Kushagra shimmies down the track and lofts it back over the bowler's head. The fielder at long on, moves to his left and puts in a slide but the ball evades him.

Sharma drags the length back, bowling it straighter, Sai nudges it across and gets it through mid-wicket for one.

FOUR! Now, that is a shot! Fuller in length, on the stumps, Sudharsan clips it away and times it beautifully through mid-wicket for a boundary. The 50 is up for Gujarat Titans as well.

A gift from Sharma but Sai Sudharsan fails to accept. A wide full toss, waist height and Sai slaps it towards point. The fielder there fails to stop cleanly and the ball heads behind. The cover-point fielder tracks it down and they get a couple.

Change? Nope. Sandeep Sharma to continue...

A low full toss fired onto the pads, Sudharsan flicks it to deep square leg for a single.

Good deception! At just 118.4 kph, Tushar bowls a slower one, on a length, outside off. Sudharsan is early into his shot and gets beaten while trying to pull.

Nails the yorker in perfectly, does Deshpande, outside off. Sai attempts to carve it past cover, but gets a bit late to bring his bat down and is beaten.

Pitched outside leg, on a good length. Sai Sudharsan tries the pull shot, but it skids low and goes below his bat. Lobs off the thigh pad and rolls past the leg stump.

Play and a miss! Across the left-hander, on a length, Sai Sudharsan looks to slash it off the back foot, but misses to connect.

FOUR! That has just flown in a flash! A full toss, seam up, outside off. Sai Sudharsan guides it on the bounce and over the leaping Nandre Burger at short third for a boundary.

Tushar Deshpande now comes in to replace Jofra Archer in the attack.

Very full, on middle, angling in. Sai Sudharsan drills it past the non-striker, for a single towards long on.

Takes pace off, on a good length, at 114.3 kph. Sudharsan punches it off the back foot to the leg side.

From around the stump, this is pushed fuller on off. Sai Sudharsan stabs it to the cover-point fielder.

Full and on middle, Kushagra plays with a straight bat and drives it to long on for a single.

FOUR! Sheer delicacy! On the back of a length, at the pads. Kumar Kushagra lets the ball come, uses his wrists, and glances it to the left of the short fine leg fielder for a boundary.

Begins with a slower delivery, does Sandeep. On a length, on middle. Kumar Kushagra heaves it to the left of deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

FOUR! Quick hands! Short of a good length, angling across the left-hander. Sai Sudharsan is quick enough to get into a good position. He hops a bit and executes the square cut over backward point to perfection for a boundary. He was onto it in a flash.

In-between length, just outside off. Kushagra uses the pace, gets on the back foot and runs it behind to deep third for a single.

Full again, straighter line, around off, Kumar drives it crisply, but finds the man at mid off.

FOUR! Class written all over it! Overpitched by Archer, outside off. Kumar Kushagra takes a big stride out and cracks the cover drive between short cover and mid off for a cracking four.

Hits the hard length, on top of middle and leg. Sai Sudharsan tucks it in front of mid on for a quick run.

Fires one on off, full in length. Sai stabs it to the mid on region. Looks to pinch a single, but there is none on offer.

Much fuller than the previous ball, on the off stump line. Kumar Kushagra defends it solidly off the front foot.

Back of a length, on off, at 146 kph. Kumar Kushagra presses in front and blocks it back to the bowler.

Slightly fuller, outside off, Sai Sudharsan plays it late and steers it to deep backward point for a single.

Hard length, around off, Sudharsan with a crisp back foot punch to cover.

FOUR! Off the edge! Nips away off the seam slightly, on a good length, on off. Sai Sudharsan hops on the toes to deal with it. Gets a thick outside edge instead which flies flatly to the left of the first slip fielder for a boundary.

WIDE! Far, far outside off, and it moves late beyond the guideline, outside off. Sai leaves.

First run for the GT debutant. Back of a length, on off, Kumar Kushagra punches it off the back foot, and gets a quick single in front of mid off.

Some start for Sai Sudharsan and Gujarat Titans. Nandre Burger to share the new ball with Jofra Archer.

FOUR! Majestic! Very full by Jofra, around the fourth-fifth stump, trying to curve the ball back in, but it holds the line. Sai Sudharsan leans on and nails the cover drive into the gap for four more. 15 off the first over.

BEATEN! Slams the deck hard with a good bit of lift around off, on a shorter length. Sai goes fishing at it, trying to cut it square on the off side but the ball zips above his angled bat.

Full and straight on off, Sai drives off the front foot to mid off.

Aims the sticks, on a fuller length, Sai Sudharsan plays off the back foot and dabs it to the off side.

SIX! Excellent adjustment at the last moment! Bangs it short and on top of off. Sai Sudharsan arches back, uses the pace and ramps it just over the deep third fielder for a six.

Much better! Fullish and around off, Sai gets a good stride across and keeps it out to cover.

FIVE WIDES! Sloppy start from Archer. Down leg, on a fuller length. Sai Sudharsan misses the flick, and the ball just keeps curving away from the keeper, Dhruv Jurel who dives to his right, and races to the deep fine leg fence.

FOUR! Wrong length and wrong line from Siraj, and Ravindra Jadeja finishes things off in style for the Royals. A juicy full toss on leg stump, Jadeja hangs back, swivels a bit and swats it wide of the deep square leg fielder, to his right, for a boundary. Rajasthan Royals end with 210/6 on the board.

On middle, this time Siraj does get it in the blockhole, Archer makes room to swing it leg side but gets an inside edge down to deep backward square leg for a single.

Full and straight, almost in the blockhole, Archer plays it back to the bowler.

The next batter in is Jofra Archer.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Finally, something positive with the ball for Mohammed Siraj. Siraj goes for the slower bumper again and really digs it in. The line is tighter around the off stump and again, Dhruv Jurel reaches for it to ramp. Jurel is undone by the height and the lack of pace here as he ends up gloving it behind. Jos Buttler makes no mistake and that marks the end of a fine knock from Jurel.

Banged in well short and outside off, slower too. Dhruv Jurel hops and reaches to upper-cut but fails to get any bat on it.

FOUR! Starts the over with a bang, does Jurel. Full and straight, Siraj misses his mark with the yorker. Jurel drills it away wide of long on and picks up a boundary.

How many can RR get from the last over? Mohammed Siraj to bowl it. He has gone for 39 runs in his three overs so far.

Full and angled well into the batter. Ravindra Jadeja backs away to swing it leg side but misses and wears it on the thighs.

Good comeback from the bowler. Krishna nails the yorker around off, Jurel digs it out into the off side and picks up a single.

SIX! High, high and handsome as well. Fuller length from Prasidh, straighter and right in the slot. Jurel stays still again, clears the front leg and smokes it over deep mid-wicket for a six. 200 up for Rajasthan Royals now.

Goes yorker again, and again it is a low full toss, but difficult to get away. Jadeja backs away and heaves it wide of square leg for one more.

Misses the mark with the yorker and serves a low full toss on off, Jurel swings across the line but gets it off the inner half of the blade. The ball goes through backward square leg for a single.

Full and straight, Jurel stays back and just clips it off the toes. The ball goes to the right of deep mid-wicket and the batters get two runs.

Prasidh Krishna (3-0-32-1) to bowl the penultimate over.

Beaten for pace! Hammered into the deck, slightly wide outside off, at 141.9 kph. Jadeja has a slash at it but the ball sails over his willow.

WIDE! Slower ball from around the wicket, floated full and down the leg side. Jadeja leaves it alone.

Back of a length, wide outside off, slower too, tapped away wide of short third for a run.

Fuller than a good length, skids through on off at nearly 149 clicks. Jurel manages to jam it out in front of square leg and even picks up a brace with the fielders on the fence.

WIDE! Ashok sticks to the slower delivery and goes full and wide, but sprays it beyond the tramline outside off.

A slower bumper, wide outside off, Ravindra Jadeja reaches for it and angles it over backward point for one more.

Short and wide, taking a bit of pace off, Jurel reaches out and cuts it to deep point for one.

SIX! Wow, Jurel has knocked the cover off the ball. Slightly back of a length, angled in towards the batter. Dhruv Jurel stands tall and still before whacking it up and over deep square leg for a six.

Takes pace off, fuller and just around off, Ravindra Jadeja looks to go big down the ground but swings too early and misses. Rabada is done with the ball for the evening, 2 for 42 from his 4 overs.

Fuller and on middle, angling in, Dhruv Jurel flicks it away nicely wide of deep square leg. Glenn Phillips moves to his right quickly and keeps it to just one.

Nicely played and Dhruv Jurel brings up a fine half-century. Full and on the pads, clipped away firmly to the right of deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs. FIFTH IPL FIFTY for Jurel and he'll know he's still got a big role to play in this innings.

WIDE! Too high. Banged in short and wide outside off, Jurel fails to ramp and a wide is called.

SIX! Uh, oh! Never a dull moment with Mohammed Siraj in the field. Good length, straighter in line, Dhruv Jurel picks it up and lifts it high towards long on. Siraj backtracks a bit and pouches it just over his head. However, he realizes that one of his legs is about to touch the ropes, and he lifts it but loses balance. He tries to flick the ball up and regain his balance, but both he and the ball end up over the ropes.

Jadeja gets off the mark right away. Hard length, tucked down through square leg for a single.

The Royals are just losing their way a bit here. Ravindra Jadeja walks out to bat now.

OUT! CAUGHT! Another one bites the dust and the Gujarat Titans are fighting back here. Short of a length from Kagiso Rabada, around off and the ball hurries onto the batter. Donovan Ferreira tries to take it on but ends up skewing it high towards deep mid-wicket. Glenn Phillips settles himself just inside the ropes and takes a simple catch, reducing RR to 166/5.

Ashok Sharma has gone off the field now. Hopefully, it is nothing too serious. Also, Kagiso Rabada comes back into the attack now.

Oh, that nearly crept through. Fast and full, tailing back in from just outside off. Dhruv Jurel walks across to flick but gets an inside edge and the ball almost rolls back onto the stumps. According to Ian Bishop on air, that was bowled at 154 kph from Ashok Sharma. So, we now have the fastest delivery bowled this season!

Ashok Sharma has called for the physio. The previous ball hit him on the fingers, and he needs some treatment. He is good to go. However, it looks like GT is not happy with the current ball, with Siraj having a chat with the umpire, but gets no joy.

Full and around off, drilled to mid off where Siraj fumbles and lets it through for a single.

Fiery yorker around off, Donovan Ferreira brings his bat down and digs it out back to the bowler. Wow, that was bowled at 150.7 clicks from Ashok. The on-air commentators inform that this is the second-fastest delivery bowled this season, behind Anrich Nortje's 150.9 kph effort.

A big moment in the game, and the non-review does not cost GT that much. Donovan Ferreira is the next man in.

OUT! TAKEN! A stellar effort in the deep from Mohammed Siraj, and the Titans do see the back of Shimron Hetmyer. Ashok Sharma does take a bit of a risk and goes full and straight, serving the ball in the slot. Hetmyer clears the front leg and pummels it flat and hard to the left of long on. Siraj runs across hard and nearly misjudges it but slams the brakes and puts in a horizontal dive to cling onto it.

FOUR! Excellent use of the bottom hand by Hettie. Good length, on off, Shimron Hetmyer hoicks it across and hits it flat and well in front of square on the leg side for a boundary.

Back of a length, in the channel, guided away down to deep third for a single.

Ashok Sharma (2-0-18-0) is brought back into the attack by Rashid Khan.

Dragged back and outside off, Dhruv Jurel cuts it away to deep point for one.

Slows it up, full and on off, Shimron Hetmyer gets forward and taps it to the right of the bowler. He sets off for the run late, and Rashid Khan moves backwards to get to the ball. He picks up and, while being on the ground, turns around to throw at the bowler's end but misses. That was a risky run from Hettie.

Pushed through quicker, shortish and on off, Dhruv Jurel stabs it down the pitch. The bounce takes it over Rashid's head for a run.

Flatter, short and on leg, Shimron Hetmyer stays back and clips it to deep mid-wicket for a run.

Drops it short and on middle, Dhruv Jurel flicks it off the back foot through square leg for a single.

SIX! Up, up and away! Tossed up, full and on middle. Dhruv Jurel charges down the track to get close to the pitch of the ball. He picks the wrong 'un and smokes it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie. 150 UP FOR RR.

WIDE! A googly, short and turning down the leg side, Dhruv Jurel misses his flick. Wided.

STRATEGIC BREAK! At the toss, we heard Riyan Parag mention that Rajasthan Royals were targeting a score of around 210 and that's more or less what they will get if they continue at the current run rate. However, with 6 overs left and wickets in hand, RR will certainly be targeting 220-225 runs. Gujarat Titans need wickets, especially after not reviewing that caught behind call of Shimron Hetmyer. Siraj has been off colour, and there will be a lot of pressure on the others to come good at the death. Also, Rashid Khan (3-0-27-1) is back on to finish his spell.

SIX MORE! Short of a length and on middle, but not enough to trouble Hettie. He gets on top of the bounce and whacks it away over the deep square leg fence for another biggie. This will hurt GT even more, knowing that Shimron Hetmyer was out a couple of balls before this.

SIX! Goes all the way! Prasidh Krishna bangs in another bouncer, but angling down the leg side again. Shimron Hetmyer manages to get hold of this one and hooks it over the deep fine leg fence for a biggie.

Low full toss, on off, Shimron Hetmyer drills it to short cover.

Big shout for caught behind, but turned down! Prasidh Krishna bangs this into the pitch, on middle, angling in. Shimron Hetmyer tries to pull it away but it looks like he misses. Jos Buttler grabs it behind the stumps and appeals for it, but gets nothing. Glenn Phillips is the most interested, but Rashid Khan does not take the review here. It's given as wide. Well, well. Later on, UltraEdge shows that the ball did flick the gloves, actually the left thumb of Hetmyer. A big opportunity is missed by GT.

Fuller and on off, Shimron Hetmyer knocks it to mid off.

A quick in and out for the Royals' skipper. Shimron Hetmyer walks in at number 5 now.

OUT! CAUGHT! A soft dismissal, and RR's skipper's stay at the crease is cut short. Prasidh Krishan bowls this at 142.3 kph, lands this on a good length and around off. Riyan Parag goes with hard hands to push it away and gets a bit late into the shot as well. The ball flies off the outer half of the bat, wide of point, where Kumar Kushagra moves to his left, and almost makes a meal of it, but holds on to it.

Fuller in length and on middle, Dhruv Jurel chips it in the air but on the bounce to long on for a single.

Prasidh Krishna is back into the attack.

On a length and on middle, Riyan Parag keeps it out to the leg side. 12 runs and a wicket from the over!

Back of a length and around off, Riyan Parag runs it down wide of deep third for a brace.

SIX! That is some way to get off the mark! Fuller again, on middle and leg. Riyan Parag brings his wrists into play and nonchalantly plays the no-look flick. He times it perfectly as the ball sails over the deep square leg fence for a biggie.

One of the sweetest sounds in cricket is when the stumps get shattered. Jaiswal walks back, and in walks skipper, Riyan Parag.

OUT! OFF STUMP UPROOTED! Rabada unleashes a 141.6 kph thunderbolt. He keeps it tight around off and gets it to angle away just enough. Jaiswal shuffles back to create room and swings through the line, looking to slap it through the off side. But he is beaten for sheer pace. The ball whistles past the bat and crashes into the off stump, sending it flat on the ground. A massive wicket for the Titans at this stage with one of the set batters gone. Rabada's reaction says it all, more relief than celebration. A timely breakthrough for the home side as they try to claw things back heading into the death overs.

FOUR! Cheeky and effective! Hard-length delivery and around off. Yashasvi Jaiswal shuffles across early to get inside the line of it and plays the scoop over the keeper's head for a boundary.

Does not carry! Short of a length and on middle, climbs onto the batter. Yashasvi Jaiswal looks to swat it away but miscues it. It lobs up in the air but lands well ahead of mid off.

15 runs off the over and the scoring rate climbs back over 10 runs per over. Meanwhile, Kagiso Rabada (2-0-19-0) is back on.

SIX! Into the stands! Fuller one and on middle, pace on but on the pads. Dhruv Jurel plays the pick-up shot using his wrists and whips it over the deep square leg fence for half a dozen more.

TOP EDGE AND FOUR! Mohammed Siraj delivers the slower bouncer, on middle. Dhruv Jurel looks to pull it away but the ball bounces a bit more, taking the top edge. It goes over the keeper and races to the fine leg fence for four more runs.

Pitched up and on middle, Dhruv Jurel tucks it away to short mid-wicket.

Mohammed Siraj sees the batter move across and serves this full, on off. Yashasvi Jaiswal looks for the scoop but falls over and misses. The ball hits his pad and rolls towards point. Jurel calls him for the leg bye. He gets up but has to hurry to the other end. Replays show that the ball went off the side of the bat and onto the left shoulder of Jaiswal before rolling away.

FOUR! FIFTY FOR JAISWAL! If Vaibhav Sooryavanshi does not get you, Jaiswal will. His 16th IPL half-century and back-to-back against GT, according to Ian Bishop on air. This is on a good length and around off. Jaiswal plays a crisp drive on the up through extra cover for a boundary.

Back of a length and around off, angling across the batter. Yashasvi Jaiswal slashes at it but misses due to the lack of bounce.

Mohammed Siraj returns to the attack, but from the other end. 2 overs for 25 runs so far for him.

FOUR! Streaky! This is short again and around off. Dhruv Jurel moves back and tries to cut but this is too close to his body. He gets a thick outside edge that races away to the third man fence for a boundary.

Flatter and shorter, on middle, Dhruv Jurel tucks it away to short mid-wicket.

Quicker one, full and outside off, Dhruv Jurel tries the reverse sweep but misses.

A shout for caught behind, but turned down! Jos Buttler looks interested and Rashid Khan takes the review here. This is fired full and down the leg side. Dhruv Jurel goes down to paddle it away but misses. The replay clearly shows a big gap between bat and ball. Review lost for GT!

Short again and on middle, Dhruv Jurel nudges it through square leg for a couple of runs.

FOUR! Top-class shot! Floated, short and around middle. Dhruv Jurel rocks back, but it is not that short to pull. He heaves it and generates excellent timing through mid-wicket for a boundary. 100 up for RR!

A dot to end the over and RR are 97/1 after 10 overs. Slightly short and slower, angled into the batter. Jaiswal looks to pull but wears it on the body instead.

A slower short ball, Jurel plays a controlled pull behind square leg and picks up a run.

Gets away with it, does Ashok. A leg-stump half volley at 149 clicks, Jurel flicks it straight to the mid-wicket fielder.

Good length, around the top of off, Jurel hangs back and just defends it off.

FOUR! Wow, what a shot! On a hard length, a hint of width outside off and at 145.7 kph. Dhruv Jurel stays upright, gets his hands through it and smacks it up and over covers for a boundary.

On a fuller length and around off, Dhruv Jurel gets forward and drives it straight back. Prasidh Krishna at mid off cuts it off to his right at mid off.

Ashok Sharma is back into the attack.

Shorter one from around the wicket, angled into the batter. Jaiswal hops back and short-arms jabs it wide of deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Length ball at the stumps, worked away through the mid-wicket region for one more by Jurel.

Tossed up, full around off, eased down to long off for a single.

Dragged shorter on middle, this is pulled off the back foot by Jurel to deep mid-wicket and for a single.

FIVE WIDES! Oh, that's loose from Rashid. Full and flat, well down leg, Jurel sits down to sweep but misses and the ball goes past the keeper and into the fine leg fence.

Bowled flatter on middle and leg, Yashasvi Jaiswal just pushes it down to long on and rotates the strike.

That in-between length again, quicker through the air as well. Jurel rocks back and forces the ball through square leg for a single.

FOUR! Breaks the shackles, does Jaiswal. Full and wide, Jaiswal is early to back away and he stays deep in the crease, managing to scythe it away past point for a boundary.

Shorter in length again, outside off and at 139.1 kph. Jurel opens the bat face and runs it down to the right of deep third for one.

Shortish length, angled in towards the batter, Jurel works it to short mid-wicket.

A wide yorker, right on the money. Yashasvi Jaiswal reaches out and gets a bottom edge. The ball rolls towards leg gully and he picks up a single.

No run there either. Back of a length, over middle, Jaiswal nudges it into the leg side and looks to pinch a single but the bowler is quick to rush to the ball.

Pitched up, full on off, Jaiswal drives it back and Prasidh gets a hand on the followthrough, deflecting it to mid on.

Spin from both ends? No, Prasidh Krishna to continue.

On the pads, worked away to deep mid-wicket for a run. End of a successful first over for Rashid Khan.

Flatter again, angled into the batter, Jurel tucks it to deep square leg for just another single.

Pushed through quicker, on middle and leg, clipped away past square leg for one more by Jaiswal.

Full on middle, driven down to long on for a single.

The 70-run opening stand has been broken, and the crowd finds its voice again. Dhruv Jurel walks out to bat at number 3.

OUT! CAUGHT! The captain takes matters into his own hands. Rashid drags the length back, bowling it on off and middle and he gets the ball to turn back in a bit. The length is neither full enough to slog sweep, nor is it short enough to pull. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi ends up just dragging it towards deep mid-wicket, where Glenn Phillips takes a simple catch.

Slightly tossed up, full and outside off, crunched to deep cover-point for one.

Strategic Break! Absolute domination from the Rajasthan Royals in the Powerplay. As expected, the deadly duo of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Yashasvi Jaiswal have gone all guns blazing and are looking really dangerous for the hosts. A couple of half-chances were created, but the Gujarat Titans failed to grab them, which you have to take against quality batters. A lot to think about for stand-in skipper, Rashid Khan, as they have to come up with some different plans. He brings himself into the attack after the break.

A dot to end the Powerplay, but the damage has been done. Just back of a length, angled into the batter. Sooryavanshi gets cramped for room and tucks it down to mid-wicket. The Royals are 69/0 after 6 overs.

Hard length on middle, awkwardly flicked away through mid on for a single by Jaiswal.

FOUR! Oh, that's raced away. Back of a length, slightly straighter in line, Jaiswal walks inside the line and nudges it away. The ball goes between square leg and short fine leg, and beats the two chasing fielders as it rolls into the fence.

SIX! Clobbered! Good length again, around the top of off, Yashasvi Jaiswal stays put and just smokes it like a homerun in baseball, and the ball sails over long on for a biggie.

No timing! Hard length, on a tight line around off, Jaiswal backs away to cut but ends up jamming it down to cover.

Starts on a good length, bowling it in the channel. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi caresses it through covers for one.

Double change? Yes, indeed. GT use their 4th pacer as Prasidh Krishna comes into the attack.

Pitched up and on off, Yashasvi Jaiswal drills it towards short cover.

Short again and on middle, Yashasvi Jaiswal gets on top of the bounce and pulls it through mid-wicket for a brace.

Bangs this into the pitch at 141 kph, on middle. Yashasvi Jaiswal is a bit late to get out of the way. He tries to upper cut it late but fails to connect. Buttler thinks he has heard something, but gets no real support from anyone else.

On a length and on middle, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi pats it down towards mid off for a quick single.

SIX! Shot of class! Short of a length and outside off. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi sways away a bit, uses the pace on the ball and cuts it over point for a massive six. The 50 is up for Rajasthan Royals.

A slight halt as Mohammed Siraj has hurt himself while trying to save the boundary. Replays show that Siraj ended up rolling over the ball as he tried to flick it back and has hurt his groin area. For now, he is off the field and receiving treatment. Hopefully, he is fine.

EDGED, DROPPED AND FOUR! Ashok Sharma goes fuller at 147.4 kph and around off, angling away. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi throws his bat at it hard but gets a thick outside edge wide of the keeper. Jos Buttler flings himself to his left, trying to grab it with his outstretched glove but only parries it away towards deep third. Mohammed Siraj in the deep runs to his right and dives to push the ball back inside, but the ball gets under him, hitting his knee and rolling to the fence. Siraj looks in a bit of pain as well.

Ashok Sharma comes into the attack now, replacing Mohammed Siraj.

SIX! Clean hit! Rabada tries to test the batter with another short ball, but this one sits up nicely for the batter. Yashasvi Jaiswal is quick to pounce on it, swivels and nails the pull shot over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie. 12 from the over, and RR have raced away to 44/0 in 4 overs.

Slower one, on a length and on off, Yashasvi Jaiswal pats it down in front of backward point.

Play and a miss! Hits the length hard and just around off, angling it away again. Yashasvi Jaiswal tries to run it down to third man but fails to connect.

Run out chance...missed! Touch fuller and on off, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi drives it towards mid off and sets off for the run. Rashid Khan is quick to pick it up and has a shy at the bowler's end but misses the target. Vaibhav would have been a goner if that had hit.

FOUR! Fine shot! Kagiso Rabada lands this short of a length and around off, takes pace off, angling away as well. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi makes use of his fast hands and scythes it over point for a boundary.

WIDE! Bangs in a quick bouncer, but this goes a bit too high for the batter. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi ducks under it. Called a wide.

A wide yorker, outside off, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi reaches out for it, but gets a bottom edge towards mid-wicket.

No respite from the two RR openers and they have racked up 25 runs off Siraj's two overs so far. KG to continue from the other end...

On a length and on middle, Yashasvi Jaiswal tucks it towards mid-wicket and wants the run but is sent back. The fielder scores a direct hit at the batter's end, but Jaiswal is well inside.

Almost a stunner from Jos Buttler! Back of a length and way down the leg side. Yashasvi Jaiswal gets inside the line of it to hook it, but ends up gloving it behind. Buttler dives to his right and tries to grab it with his outstretched glove but the ball just does not stick. This could be a big moment in the game.

FOUR! Not timed but gets the result! Siraj pushes his length just a tad fuller, but outside off. Yashasvi Jaiswal throws his hands at it. It hits him high on the bat but flies well over mid off for another boundary.

Much better! Good length, on middle, Yashasvi Jaiswal stays back and blocks it down the pitch.

WIDE! Errs in line again, on a length and down the leg again. Yashasvi Jaiswal gets no bat on it. Wided. Siraj is struggling with his lines here.

FOUR! Poor delivery and rightly punished! Siraj tries to overcompensate and bowls a scrambled-seam delivery, but lands this on a good length down the leg side. Yashasvi Jaiswal clips it away, beating short fine to his left for a boundary.

SIX! Shot of the match so far! Mohammed Siraj goes fuller and a bit outside off. Yashasvi Jaiswal extends his arms to get under it and carves it beautifully over deep extra cover for a biggie.

Early change in the bowling? Nope. Siraj to continue.

Hits the length hard, on middle off. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has no room to work with this time and blocks it out. A decent start from Rabada.

FOUR! Up and over! Kagiso Rabada serves this full again but just around off. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi gets a little bit of width to free his arms and tries to loft it down the ground. He does not get it from the middle but gets enough to clear Rashid Khan at mid off for four more runs.

Much fuller and on middle, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi gets his front leg out but only manages to bunt it out towards mid on.

WIDE! Goes for the yorker but just spills it down the leg side, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi fails to get any bat on that one. Called a wide.

Short of a length and on the sixth stump line, angling away a bit. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi stays back and stabs it down towards point.

Slightly fuller in length, on middle and leg, Yashasvi Jaiswal flicks it to deep square leg for a run.

Kagiso Rabada begins with a hard-length delivery around off. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi opens the face of his bat and guides it through backward point for a single.

Action-packed start to the game. It will be Kagiso Rabada to start from the other end. Also, ICYMI, earlier in the opening game of the day, Delhi Capitals beat Mumbai Indians in Delhi. Chasing 163 runs for the win, Sameer Rizvi hit a colossal 90 off just 51 balls as DC galloped to the finish line with 11 balls remaining. Two wins out of two for the Capitals as Mumbai lose their first game of the season.

Back of a length and around off, Yashasvi Jaiswal punches it towards extra cover, where Glenn Phillips moves to his right to make a good sliding stop. 10 runs off the first over then!

Much fuller and on middle, shaping in, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi drills it out to long on for a run.

FOUR! You just cannot bowl there! This is banged into the pitch but down the leg side again. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi needs no second invitation, swivels and hooks it through the fine leg region for another boundary.

Pulls his length back a bit, does Siraj, on middle. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi fails to clip it away and gets hit high on the pads. A slight appeal for LBW, but turned down.

FOUR! Easy pickings! Mohammed Siraj goes fuller but drifts down the leg side. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi makes no mistake and glances it away to the deep fine leg fence for the first boundary.

Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rajasthan Royals are underway! Mohammed Siraj starts with a good-length delivery, on middle and leg. Jaiswal flicks it through square leg for a single.

All in readiness for the game to begin. The two umpires are the first ones out in the middle, and the players of Gujarat Titans are also seen taking their places on the field. It will be the young and destructive duo of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to open the innings for the Royals. Mohammed Siraj will take the new ball for GT. He has one slip in place to begin with. Let's play...

Areas to improve - Rashid Khan starts by saying that they did want to bowl first anyway, as it is a fresh wicket and the bowlers will get some help early on. Informs that Shubman Gill has a bit of a muscle spasm and will be missing out today. Further informs that as Gill is out, Kumar Kushagra comes in to make his debut. Mentions that they will take the positives from the last game and look to improve further.

Wants to be flexible as a team - Riyan Parag says he wants to bat first, as the statistics favour that option around 70 per cent, and accordingly, they have tweaked their team composition. He adds that the team will assess the conditions and adapt accordingly. He remarks that setting a target is something a side has to do at some stage in a tournament and says he is glad they get the chance to do it early in the season. Parag further says they are hoping to post a score in the 200 to 210 range and defend it later. Adds that he wants his side to be a team that can perform in any conditions, stressing that he does not want them to rely on just one brand of cricket and instead wants his team to remain flexible. Informs that there are a few changes in the XI.

Impact Player options for GT - Shahrukh Khan, Jason Holder, Manav Suthar, Anuj Rawat, and Jayant Yadav.

Gujarat Titans (Playing XI) - Kumar Kushagra (On GT debut) (In for Shubman Gill), Sai Sudharsan, Jos Buttler (WK), Washington Sundar, Glenn Phillips, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan (C), Mohammed Siraj, Ashok Sharma, Kagiso Rabada, and Prasidh Krishna (In for Shahrukh Khan).

Impact Player options for RR - Ravi Singh, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Shubham Dubey, Brijesh Sharma, and Ravi Bishnoi.

Rajasthan Royals (Playing XI) - Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Riyan Parag (C), Shimron Hetmyer, Donovan Ferreira (In for Ravi Bishnoi), Ravindra Jadeja, Jofra Archer, Nandre Burger, Tushar Deshpande (In for Brijesh Sharma), and Sandeep Sharma.

TOSS - It's toss time in Ahmedabad. The captains of both teams are out in the middle. Actually, it is Rashid Khan who has come out for the toss in place of Shubman Gill. Riyan Parag is alongside Rashid and will call. Parag calls 'Heads,' and it lands in his favour. Rajasthan Royals will BAT first.

PITCH REPORT - WV Raman is pitchside with his analysis. He starts by saying that the outfield looks lush green and fast, adding that the straight boundary is 74 meters, with the square boundaries being 64 and 67 meters on either side. Former Protea pacer, Dale Steyn, joins WV and says that there is a little bit of grass, especially a long tramline along the 22 yards just outside the left-hander's off stump (from where Dale is standing). Informs that recently, 8 out of 9 times, the teams winning the toss have decided to chase but have been successful just twice. The pair ends by citing that 200-plus is definitely a possibility on this wicket, but if the pacers can hit the top of off, they will get some purchase as well.

Toss to play a crucial role? In recent times, we have seen teams prefer to chase in the IPL and the dew in the evening games does play a big role. But in early April, the dew might not be the decisive factor, rather just an added factor apart from teams actually just confident in chasing down big scores. We can expect a high-scoring game, so stay tuned for the toss and team news.

Homecoming for the Titans - For the Gujarat Titans, the focus will be on their powerhouse top order. The trio of Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, and Jos Buttler, who will be facing his former team, will be looking to exploit a pitch that has traditionally been a batter's paradise. On the bowling front, they have the likes of Mohammed Siraj and Rashid Khan, who have been fairly consistent and also Prasidh Krishna, who has been a brilliant wicket-taker for GT since the start of the 2025 season. However, Kagiso Rabada will be under pressure as his T20 form continues to put up more questions than answers.

The Royal touch - Even with the historical head-to-head in this fixture stacked against them, the 2026 iteration of the Rajasthan Royals looks particularly formidable. Their batting lineup features the teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who has taken the league by storm, alongside the explosive Yashasvi Jaiswal. With Ravindra Jadeja and Jofra Archer anchoring a versatile bowling unit, the Men in Pink possess the firepower to challenge Gujarat’s historic dominance at this venue.

Kem cho, Amdavad? The high-octane drama of IPL 2026 shifts to the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad as the Gujarat Titans host the Rajasthan Royals in Match 9. This encounter finds the two teams on contrasting paths early in the new season. The Titans, led by Shubman Gill, are eager to defend their home turf and bounce back from a three-wicket loss to Punjab Kings. Meanwhile, the Royals, captained by Riyan Parag, arrive with soaring confidence after a dominant dismantling of Chennai Super Kings, chasing down 127 in just 12 overs to start their season 1-0.

... MATCH DAY ...

Saturday night action - The first double-header of the 2026 Indian Premier League season is here, and Match 9 of the tournament sees the Gujarat Titans host the Rajasthan Royals at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The overall head-to-head rivalry favours the Titans, who have won 6 of the 8 meetings between the two sides. They will be eager to bounce back after their opening defeat, while the Royals will look to build on their early momentum and make a strong statement. A commanding start for the Royals - Rajasthan couldn't have asked for a better beginning to their new chapter under the leadership of Riyan Parag. At their alternate home in Guwahati, they brushed aside the Chennai Super Kings in convincing fashion. A settled core takes shape - Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has begun the season in explosive fashion with a 15-ball fifty. It was against the Gujarat Titans that he had announced his arrival last season with a stunning 35-ball hundred, and that should give him plenty of confidence heading into this contest. With just 128 to chase, the openers did most of the heavy lifting, leaving the middle order with little to do. With Dhruv Jurel at number 3, Parag in the middle, and Shimron Hetmyer at number 5, the Royals possess a solid core that will be interesting to track as the season progresses. New ball battle to watch - Jofra Archer needed a few games during the World Cup to find his rhythm, but looked sharp right away in Guwahati. Alongside Nandre Burger, he formed a lively and effective new-ball partnership. Their encounter against the GT opening pair of Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan will be one of the storylines of this game. Spin set for a tough test - Ravindra Jadeja also made his presence felt with the ball on his return to the Royals. However, neither he nor Ravi Bishnoi boasts strong numbers against the Titans. A test awaits them on a ground where spinners went at 9.58 runs per over last IPL season. The Titans seek a quick turnaround - As for the Gujarat Titans, they have begun their campaign with a defeat at the hands of the Punjab Kings, just as they did against the same opposition in 2025. Despite the loss, the 2022 champions can take encouragement from the fight they showed with the ball. Missed opportunities with the bat - It was a case of batters getting starts but failing to convert them. While it wasn't a 200-run surface, a stronger finish could have taken GT to a more competitive total, potentially changing the result. The presence of Glenn Phillips, who made his debut for the franchise against Punjab, adds valuable depth and reduces their reliance on the core trio of Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill, and Jos Buttler. GT need Rabada at his best - Kagiso Rabada, who looked off-colour at the T20 World Cup, endured another underwhelming outing to start the IPL. GT will be hoping the Proteas speedster can rediscover his rhythm and lead the attack with greater impact moving forward. Sai Kishore conundrum - The left-arm finger spinner was Gujarat's standout performer in Ahmedabad last season, picking up 9 wickets in 7 games. While GT could be tempted to bring Sai into the XI, RR have three left-handers in their top five, making that match-up a potential risk they will need to weigh carefully. Team form (Last 5 completed games, recent first) - GT - LLLLW | RR - WWLLL. What to expect? In the 2025 IPL season in Ahmedabad, the average runs per over was at 10.16, the second-highest among venues that hosted at least five matches. That does spell trouble for the bowlers, but the relatively larger boundary dimensions offer some respite, and it will be something they will look to use to their advantage. So, with two sides packed with firepower, expect plenty of fireworks to light up your weekend.