Rajasthan Royals vs Gujarat Titans, IPL, 2026 May 9 Full score card

OUT! TAKEN! Fittingly, it is the short ball that wraps up this game. GUJARAT TITANS WIN BY 77 RUNS. Jason Holder bangs this into the pitch again, around off, Tushar Deshpande swings across the line but fails to get on top of the bounce. He ends up slicing it up in the air towards point, where Washington Sundar gets under it to take a fine catch.

Almost a run out! Fuller and on off, Brijesh Sharma taps it towards cover-point. A bit of yes and no, and Sharma gets stranded in the middle of the pitch. Sai Kishore picks the ball up but misses his shy at the bowler's end with Brijesh nowhere to be seen.

If there was any hope left for RR of pulling off a miracle, that should be it. Brijesh Sharma is the last man in.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! Jason Holder gets his second now. He bowls the off-cutter, into the surface and around off. Dasun Shanaka looks to pull it away but fails to free his arms as the ball is near his shoulder. Gets a top edge as the ball goes up in the air towards mid off, where Shubman Gill takes a couple of steps to his front and takes an easy catch. GT are just one wicket away from a big win now.

Pitched up and on off, Dasun Shanaka taps it towards cover and retains the strike.

A sharp bumper this time, on middle, Dasun Shanaka sways away to upper cut but misses.

WIDE! Tries the slower bouncer, but it is a bit too high. Dasun Shanaka has a heave across but fails to connect. 150 up for the Royals!

FOUR! Good shot! Much fuller and around off, Dasun Shanaka gets under the ball, hits through the line to smack it over mid off for a boundary.

Short of a length and outside off, Dasun Shanaka slaps it away wide of sweeper cover. Kagiso Rabada runs to his right and dives to make a fine stop. Saves a couple of runs for his side.

Fuller and on middle and leg, Tushar Deshpande drills it to long on for a run.

Back of a length and around off, Dasun Shanaka backs away and punches it to sweeper cover for a single.

Mohammed Siraj is back for his final over. 3-0-45-1 so far for Siraj.

Hard length and on off, Tushar Deshpande keeps it out to the off side.

Tushar Deshpande is the new man in.

OUT! EDGED AND GONE! Jason Holder gets among the wickets now. He bangs in another well-directed bumper, on off. Jofra Archer looks to pull again but the ball gets big on him. It takes a thin top edge behind, where Jos Buttler makes no mistake. RR are 141/8, chasing 230 runs.

Run out chance...missed! Bangs this into the pitch, on middle, Jofra Archer looks to pull it away but takes his eyes off the ball. Gets an inside edge onto his helmet as the ball drops on the pitch. Dasun Shanaka wants the run and is already at the other end before Archer sends him back. Holder gets to the ball, and instead of having a shy, he lobs the ball towards Rashid Khan, who is backing up. But the Afghan makes a meal of it, failing to grab the ball and tumbling on the ground, giving Shanaka the chance to return.

Nails the yorker, tailing into the leg side, Jofra Archer backs away and swings at it but misses as the ball just goes past the leg stump.

Back of a length and on off, Jofra Archer stabs it out to short cover.

FOUR! Easy pickings! Fuller one but down the leg side. Jofra Archer just has to get some bat on it and he glances it away to the fine leg fence for a boundary.

Dragged down by Rashid, outside off. Archer hangs back and punches it to long off with a straight bat for a single. End of a fine outing with the ball for Rashid - 4-0-33-4.

Strategic Break! With the wicket of Ravindra Jadeja, the only recognised batter left for the Rajasthan Royals is Dasun Shanaka. However, it will need something really special from him to even get back in this game, but to not take a massive hit on NRR, they have to try and play the 20 overs and score as many as possible. Gujarat Titans have been brilliant with the ball, and when Rashid Khan is in form like this, he can go through any batting lineup on his own. They will look to wrap things up quickly now. Also, Jofra Archer walks out to bat now

OUT! LBW! A celebrappeal from Rashid Khan and the finger is raised. This looks straight, but Ravindra Jadeja has taken the review. Rashid bowls the leg-break, full and on middle. Jadeja brings his bat out in front for the block but plays down the wrong line. The ball spins back to go past the inside edge and catch him low on the front pad. No bat involved and it is three reds on Ball Tracking, with the ball smashing into the middle stump. RR are now 136/7. Wicket number 4 for Rashid. He has one ball left in his spell. Can he get the fifth?

SIX! All the way! Flighted delivery, full and on middle. Ravindra Jadeja reaches out in front for the sweep and takes the aerial route. Hits it towards deep square leg, where Nishant Sindhu sprints to his right but the ball sails over his head.

Leg-break from Rashid, on a good length, on off and middle. Jadeja does not pick the leg break and goes for the cut. Ends up chopping it down awkwardly.

Slower and shorter, on off. Dasun flicks it to deep mid-wicket and turns the strike over.

Leg bye! At 95.9 kph, on the pads, on a length. Jadeja looks to clip it away but misses. A leg bye is taken as the ball goes off the pads to short fine leg.

Low full toss, at the pads. Dasun Shanaka can't get it away and squeezes out an inside edge onto the pads.

Pitches it up, on off. Jadeja shapes up for the scoop initially but then adjusts by steering it to deep third with an open bat face. Single taken.

Hits the back of a length, on off. Shanaka hangs deep and wrists it towards deep mid-wicket. They cross.

Bangs it in short, on off, RJ drags the pull through mid-wicket for a single.

At the hips, on the shorter side. Ravindra hops and tucks it in front of deep mid-wicket. By the time the fielder gets around and releases the throw, Jadeja comes back for the second.

Nearly sneaked through! From around the wicket, attacking the stumps with a good-length ball. Jadeja pushes out in front of his body. The ball goes off an inside edge through backward square leg for a couple of runs.

Jason Holder has been introduced into the attack now.

FOUR! Gets it away! Rashid gives the ball a bit of air. This is fuller and outside off. Dasun Shanaka drops to a knee and swings ungainly across the line. Swats it towards Washington Sundar at a catching mid-wicket. Sundar dives to his left but gets a bit of a bad bounce. The ball clips his fingertips before racing behind for a four. RR need 109 runs from 48 balls.

Googly, a bit too short, on middle. Dasun Shanaka turns it off the back foot to the right of deep mid-wicket for a brace.

Afghan magic works again for GT. That brings Dasun Shanaka to the crease.

OUT! TIMBER! Rashid Khan fights back. Shubham Dubey tries to repeat the dose but it does not come off. Leg-break from Rashid, in line with the off stump, on a good length. Dubey gets down on a knee and has a heave across the line. The ball lands and spins back to beat Shubham on the inside edge before crashing into the off stump. The Royals are 6 down for 115, needing 115 runs off 50 balls.

SIX! Into the crowd! Flighted delivery, full and turning away. Dubey plants his front foot towards the pitch of the ball and clobbers it over wide long on for a six.

Turning into the pads, a bit short, Shubham flicks it to deep backward square leg. Nishant Sindhu runs to his left but fumbles while picking the ball up. That allows the batters to take the second run.

Short and on the off stump, Dubey chops it to backward point.

FOUR! Nicely done! Floated up, fuller and on off. Jadeja reaches out in front and rolls his wrists over the ball on the sweep. Plays it to the right of deep square leg and picks up a boundary.

How did that miss the stumps? Speared in by Sundar, around the leg stump. Jadeja backs away for the cut but the ball is not short enough. It skids through to go under the blade and sneaks just past the leg pole.

Keeps it flat and short, on off. Shubham punches it to wide long off for another single.

Pushed through and the length is dragged back a bit. Dubey taps it back to Sundar.

Fuller and attacking the front pad. Jadeja pushes it to long on for one more.

The 100 is up for RR. Sliding on with the arm, on a nagging length, on middle. Jadeja tucks it in the vacant mid-wicket region and comes charging back for the second.

Wrong'un, short and on off, Shubham Dubey keeps it out to the off side. Rajasthan Royals need 131 runs in 60 balls now.

Dragged back, on the pads, Ravindra Jadeja nudges it to short fine for one.

Massive shout for LBW, but turned down! Rashid Khan slows it up, full and on middle, turns in a bit. Ravindra Jadeja gets forward to block it with his bat and pad very close to each other. Jos Buttler, the keeper, seems very confident and convinces his skipper to take the review. The replay and UltraEdge confirm that it is pad first, but Ball Tracking shows the ball is just clipping the off pole on umpire's call. The on-field call of Not Out stays, but it was a very close call.

Drops it short and on middle, Shubham Dubey stays back and works it through square leg for a single.

Floated, full and on middle, Shubham Dubey tucks it to short mid-wicket.

FOUR! Really clumsy in the field! Floated, full and on middle, turns into leg, Shubham Dubey tickles it away towards fine leg. Sai Kishore runs to his left and gets low to pick it up, but overruns the ball. He lets it through his legs, and the ball trickles to the fence for a boundary.

Shorter in length again, on off, Shubham Dubey forces it to long off for a run.

Drags his length back and outside off, Shubham Dubey cuts it but fails to beat cover-point.

Flighted, full and around off, turns away, Shubham Dubey looks to drive but gets a thick outside edge as the ball rolls to backward point.

Short and on middle, Ravindra Jadeja backs away and punches it through covers for a single.

Flatter, full and around off, Ravindra Jadeja pushes it to short cover.

Tossed up, full and on middle, Ravindra Jadeja knocks it back to the bowler.

Slows it up, full and on middle, Shubham Dubey defends it on the front foot. Just 5 runs and 2 wickets from Rashid's first over!

Shubham Dubey joins Ravindra Jadeja out in the middle.

OUT! CASTLED! Rashid Khan with the double strike, and just like that, the Royals lose half their side. Rashid tosses up the leg-break, full and on middle, turns away a bit. Donovan Ferreira does not pick it at all and plays down the wrong line, as the ball sneaks past the outside edge to rattle the stumps behind. The Royals are in further trouble.

FOUR! Gets off the mark in style! Dragged back and around middle, Donovan Ferreira rocks back quickly and uses his fast hands to heave it away to the deep mid-wicket fence for a boundary.

The Royals suffer another blow. Donovan Ferreira comes in at number 6. Shubman Gill has positioned himself at slip for the new batter.

OUT! BOWLED'EM! Rashid Khan strikes in his first over and sends Dhruv Jurel packing. He pushes this through quicker at 88.1 kph, just on off. Jurel backs away and tries to cut it away, but misses as the ball skids through and hits the off pole. Jurel's quick cameo comes to an end. Rajasthan Royals are 87/4, needing 143 runs in 75 balls.

Goes short and on middle, Ravindra Jadeja moves back and flicks it through mid-wicket for a single.

Tossed up, full and on middle and off, Ravindra Jadeja steps across to work it away but ekes out an inside edge onto the pads.

It will be spin from the other end as well. Here is Rashid Khan.

Fires this one full and on leg, Ravindra Jadeja clips it to deep mid-wicket for one more.

FOUR! Gets it away this time! Another short delivery, further away from the batter, outside off. Ravindra Jadeja frees his arms and cuts it away through point with good timing. Nishant Sindhu in the deep runs to his right and dives but it goes in vain.

Shortish and just outside off, Ravindra Jadeja tries the cut but ends up chopping it down to the off side.

Dragged back, around off, Dhruv Jurel backs away and cuts it to deep point for another run.

Short again and on leg, Ravindra Jadeja stays back and nudges it through mid-wicket for a run.

Flatter, short and on middle, angling in, Dhruv Jurel gets late to get his bat in line. It takes the inside edge and goes towards short fine for a single.

STRATEGIC BREAK! No shortage of action in the first six overs of the chase. Gujarat Titans have picked up three wickets but have also gone for plenty of runs, while Rajasthan Royals would probably have liked to have lost a couple fewer wickets at this stage. The ball has continued to slide nicely onto the bat, but will it start becoming tougher to score as it gets scruffed up, much like what happened during the GT innings? We are yet to see spin introduced, but with the Powerplay now done, that should not be too far away. It will be spin straight away after the break. Playing his first game of the season, Sai Kishore will roll his arm over now.

FOUR! Put away! Rabada pulls his length back a bit, on middle, Ravindra Jadeja opens up his stance and hoicks it over mid-wicket for a boundary now. Rajasthan Royals end the Powerplay on 78/3.

SIX! Oh..hello! That is some way to kickstart your innings. Fuller delivery, angling into the pads. Ravindra Jadeja plays the pick-up shot to perfection and whips it off his pads over the deep square leg fence for a biggie.

One left-hander replaces the other. Ravindra Jadeja walks out to bat.

OUT! CAUGHT! Kagiso Rabada gets his second and Shimron Hetmyer's lean run in this IPL continues. Rabada clevelry rolls his fingers to take pace off, lands this short of a length and on middle. Hetmyer looks to heave it across the line, but goes through it early and this is also not that short to play that shot. He only manages to get a top edge as the ball goes straight up in the air. Jason Holder at mid on settles under it, moving to his right and pouches it safely. RR are three down inside the Powerplay.

Hits the length hard and around off, Shimron Hetmyer looks to loft it away but slices it over the point fielder for a brace.

Sharp fielding! Back of a length and on middle and off, Shimron Hetmyer swats it off the bottom half of the bat towards mid-wicket. Dhruv Jurel sets off for the run but is sent back. Arshad Khan picks up the ball and has a shy at the bowler's end but misses. Jurel has to put in a dive, but it would not have saved him had the throw hit.

FOUR! Hettie's turn now! Kagiso Rabada misses the yorker and serves a full toss, on the pads. Shimron Hetmyer picks it off, brings his wrists into play to flick it over mid-wicket for a boundary.

SIX! Siraj taken to the cleaners in this over. Jurel has come out firing. Back to bowling it short but the height is around the chest. Jurel gets his hands through and swings across to pull it in front of square for a biggie. 22 runs off the over. 168 needed from 90 balls.

Missed out! Down leg by Siraj, on a back of a length. Dhruv helps it away but picks out the man at short fine leg.

SIX! Dismissed from his presence. Siraj bends his back and bowls the bouncer, on off. The height does not trouble the batter at all. Jurel gets his hands high and nails the pull over deep square leg for half a dozen.

Full and on middle, Dhruv knocks it to mid on.

FOUR! Finesse this time from Jurel. Siraj pulls the length back and keeps it around off. Dhruv lets the ball come to him and steers it with an open bat face to the right of short third for a boundary. The 50 is up for RR.

SIX! What a hit to open your account! Siraj dishes it out on a length, on off and middle. Dhruv puts his head down and swings across the line. Clubs it over deep mid-wicket for a six to get going.

Change? Nope, Siraj gets a third over.

Hits the back of a length, on middle. Shimron Hetmyer nudges it to mid-wicket.

Fuller and on off. Shimron Hetmyer punches it on the up to cover-point.

On off, on a good length. That is defended solidly off the front foot.

Both the Royals' openers are gone now. Shimron Hetmyer comes out to the middle.

OUT! CAUGHT! The Titans go bang, bang. The short ball does the trick once again, this time for Kagiso Rabada. At 152.1 kph by Rabada, a bumper, across off. Yashasvi Jaiswal swivels for the pull but he is rushed into the shot. Slices it off the lower half in front of mid off. Kagiso thinks about going for the catch, but then leaves it on seeing two men converging. Nishant Sindhu runs forward from cover and takes the catch in front of the incoming Shubman Gill.

Not in control but safe! Banged in short, on middle. Jaiswal pulls but splices it over wide mid on for a couple of runs.

A big mix-up but no harm done! Going across, on a length, Jaiswal punches it on the up wide of cover before setting for the run. Jurel is caught ball-watching before committing to the single. Both batters are left stranded in the middle and Dhruv also slips but a fumble from Nishant Sindhu allows both batters to get home.

Surprise, surprise! At the toss, Shubman Gill mentioned that Prasidh Krishna is back in the team in place of Manav Suthar. However, looking at the surface, GT have opted to bring in Sai Kishore as the Impact Sub. He has replaced Rahul Tewatia.

Pitched up by Siraj at 140 kph, on off. Jurel leans into the drive and the ball pings off his bat but he can't beat mid off.

The wonderkid has been dismissed, much to the disappointment of the home fans. Dhruv Jurel walks out to bat at number 3.

Rahul Tewatia is substituted by Sai Kishore

OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! Mohammed Siraj has his hands aloft and lets out a big roar. The crowd goes silent as Sooryavanshi's stay has been cut short. A well-directed short ball by Siraj at 146.6 kph, around the left shoulder. Vaibhav tries to take it on but cannot free his hands in a fashion he would have liked. Skies it up over short fine leg, where Arshad Khan stays side on to take a good catch to his right.

FOUR! A change in length, but Sooryavanshi is up for it. Siraj bowls it full, in line with the leg pole. Vaibhav gets the front pad out of the way and brings his bat out in front. Brings his bottom hand into play and drills it back past the bowler. Kagiso Rabada sprints to his right from long on and dives but in vain.

FOUR! Clever, very clever! This is on a hard length, on off at 142.3 kph. Sooryavanshi lets the ball come to him and stays leg side to use the pace. He glides it with an open bat face and it races between short third and backward point.

On top of off at 138.9 kph, on a back of a length. Sooryavanshi is unable to free his arms and just punches it to cover-point.

FOUR! Absolutely crunched! Siraj serves it on a length and offers width. Sooryavanshi frees his arms and spanks it over cover. One bounce and over the ropes.

Edged away! Fuller in length, just outside the off stump. Vaibhav flashes and flashes hard. The ball goes behind off an outside edge but evades the slip fielder and dribbles down to deep third. Single taken. 15 runs off Rabada's first over.

Tighter line, on top of off. The ball kicks up a bit on Sooryavanshi but he manages to fend it off.

A flash and a miss! Rabada angles it across, on a short of a good length. Vaibhav swings with all his might but misses.

SIX! In front of square this time, but the result is the same. Third six in a score of 23 for Sooryavanshi. Rabada bashes the hard length, on off at 145.5 kph. Vaibhav plays the pull off the front foot and although it does not come off the middle, it is enough to clear the mid-wicket fence.

SIX! That has gone back a long way. Rabada goes short at the bodyline of the batter. Sooryavanshi is quick to swivel and hooks it way over deep fine leg for half a dozen.

Miscued but safe! At 140.1 kph, running across, bowled on a good length. Vaibhav has a heave across the line. Gets a leading edge but it clears the in-field as it goes over point. Sooryavanshi continues to limp but comes back for the second.

Siraj lands it on a shortish length, on off. Vaibhav arches back and throws his hands at the ball. It catches the toe end and beats the slip fielder to his left. It is cut off by the fielder at a fine deep third. 11 runs off the first over of the chase.

Not much movemet with the new ball and it is coming on nicely onto the bat.

Will the extra ball cost Siraj?

Wide! Dug in short, well beyond the tramline. Vaibhav lets it be.

A big swing and a miss! Closer to the off pole, on a nagging length. Sooryavanshi has a big swing at it but the leaves him with the angle.

Pushed across the batter, on a good length. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi swings for the hills. It is sliced off the outer half over extra cover. Rashid Khan goes after it and flicks it behind towards Shubman Gill. Not a good sign for RR as Sooryavanshi was hobbling between the wickets. Two runs taken.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is down on the ground getting some attention on his right ankle from the physio. He looks in a bit of pain, but he is getting up to bat again.

Game stopped due to : Play Halted

Good riposte from Siraj. Sooryavanshi is limping in pain as he has copped a blow on his front leg. Siraj slips in the yorker and gets a bit of tail back into the left-hander. Vaibhav gets his bat down hurriedly and squeezes out an inside edge onto his right ankle.

SIX! No sighters needed for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Angling across, on the shorter side. This sits up to be hit, and Sooryavanshi gets his hands through to pummel it over wide long on for a biggie.

Jaiswal and the Royals are away in the chase. Siraj steams in from over the wicket and hits the back of a length, on off. Yashasvi stands tall on top of the bounce and punches it to the left of the sliding cover fielder for a single to get off the mark.

Just a single! Low full toss, angling away. Washington shuffles across for the scoop, but is rushed, and the ball hits him high on the bat. It dribbles towards square leg and Sundar can only pick up a single. 21 runs off the final over and the Gujarat Titans finish with 229/4.

A dot, or is it? Washington Sundar has taken the review, hoping to overturn the decision to a wide. Seam-up ball, a yorker, landing outside the line of the leg stump. Sundar drops to his knees to have a swing across the line but misses. The replays show that the ball dipped on the batter to go under the bat and went through his legs. It is a fair delivery. A strange review from Sundar.

SIX! My word, that is a shot and a half! Change of pace from Deshpande. This is the off-cutter, on a back of a length, going across the left-hander. Stand and deliver stuff from Sundar, who waits for the ball to arrive and plays the lofted hit on the rise over wide long off.

Pushes it wider on off, on a short of a length. Rahul slaps it to deep point for a run.

SIX MORE! Smart batting by Tewatia. Angling away, on a back of a length. Rahul anticipates the line to be outside off and he walks across to help it over the man at short fine leg. It is played with the breeze and goes over the fence.

SIX! That sounded so sweet. Tushar Deshpande goes searching for the yorker but ends up serving a low full toss, on middle and leg. Tewatia collapses his back knee and connects well to dispatch it over square leg for a flat six.

Wide! A yorker, going down leg. Tewatia swings at it but misses.

An excellent penultimate over from Brijesh Sharma. Can Tushar Deshpande close it off well?

Yes, he does. Just 4 runs off the 19th over. Bowls the off-cutter and keeps it on a good length, outside off. Washington Sundar swings to thrash it through the off side but is undone by the slowness of the delivery and he fails to connect. Just 12 runs off the last 2 overs.

Top delivery! Nearly a yorker, in line with the off stump. Sundar smacks it back to Brijesh on the bounce, who makes a sharp top. Can Sharma finish well?

Missed out! From around the wicket, Brijesh dishes out a low full toss, outside off. Sundar tries to use the pace by opening the bat face but misses.

Into the surface, off-pace delivery, on off. Sundar waits for the ball to arrive and slaps it to the left of deep cover for a couple of runs.

Tewatia was gone had the throw hit. Angling away, on a length, Rahul reaches out and spanks it to extra cover before setting off for a quick single. Yashasvi Jaiswal charges in, picks the ball up and has a shy at the bowling end but misses.

Rahul Tewatia is the new batter.

OUT! CAUGHT! The slower ball does the trick for Brijesh Sharma. Rolls his fingers over the ball and bowls the off-cutter at 109.6 kph, on a nagging length, on off. Holder hangs deep in the crease and swings with a horizontal bat. He fails to get hold of it and the ball balloons towards extra cover, where Yashasvi Jaiswal settles under it on the edge of the ring and gobbles it up.

That was wide number 15 from the Royals.

Wide! Wayward from Brijesh. A low full toss, well down leg. Holder lets it be. Dhruv Jurel does well to move to his left and prevents the ball from going past him.

Deshpande finishes well. Attempts the yorker but it comes out as a low full toss, on middle. Jason smears it off the inner half to deep mid-wicket. Just a single. A good comeback from Deshpande after conceding a boundary on the first ball.

Nice change-up! Bangs it in short and the ball skids through, outside off. Holder swings across for the pull but the ball sails over his blade. Just 7 runs off the over with a ball to go.

Superb stuff from Deshpande. Nails the yorker, on off and middle. Jason hurriedly gets his bat down to keep it out.

Slips in a yorker, at the base of the leg stump. Washington gets the front pad out of the way and jams it out through square leg for one more.

Wide! A yorker, sprayed down leg, Sundar misses out on the tickle. 14th run that has come off a wide this innings.

Well bowled! Executes the yorker, on off and middle. Jason digs it out to point and crosses over.

FOUR! The 200 is up for the Gujarat Titans. Full and wide on off, Holder is allowed to free his arms and he goes through with the lofted hit over extra cover for a boundary.

Tushar Deshpande replaces Jofra Archer.

SIX! A valiant effort from Dasun Shanaka. Birjesh goes full and takes pace off, on middle and leg. Sundar gets low and has a swipe across the line. Skies it towards deep backward square leg, where Shanaka runs to his right but does not have a genuine catching opportunity. It was more about preventing the six. Shanaka sticks out his right hand to palm the ball back in but fails to do so as the ball drops beyond the fence off his hands.

FOUR! In the gap! Pace on now, bowled on a hard length. Sundar presses on the back foot and plays the pull. Gets it high on the bat but the ball skips across the turf and it splits the deep mid-wicket and long on fielders.

Oh, that would have been a wide had Sundar left it. To make matters worse, he has copped a bit of a blow on the midriff. Off-cutter, pitching outside the leg stump, on a good length. Washington hangs low for the scoop but is early into the stroke. The ball deflects off the toe end onto his body.

Honing in at the stumps, on a length, Holder plays it to long off and opens his account with a single.

End of a high-quality knock from the GT skipper. Jason Holder is the next man in.

OUT! CAUGHT! Brijesh Sharma has his man. The innovation does not come off for Shubman Gill. Pushes the length up, does Brijesh, outside off. With fine leg inside the circle, Gill walks across the stumps to play the scoop. The ball is too full for that shot and he cannot get under it. Spoons it over short fine leg, where Tushar Deshpande takes a couple of steps back and takes the catch over his right shoulder. RR will hope that this kickstarts their fightback at the death.

SIX! Good hit! Leg-cutter from Sharma, on a length, outside the off stump. Gill takes a step back in the crease and collapses his back knee to slam it inside out over cover for a biggie.

Strategic Break! Despite carrying that injury, Shubman Gill hasn't slowed down one bit and is leading from the front. Gujarat Titans have the perfect platform to go all guns blazing in the last four overs and get something near 230 if not more and try to bat the Royals out of the game. The spinners did pull things back slightly for the hosts, but the pacers have been all over the place and with Jofra Archer also being off the pace, Rajasthan need to try and stay in the contest, executing their plans at the death. Here is Brijesh Sharma to bowl after the break.

This is on off and middle. Gill takes it on the full and flicks it to deep mid-wicket for one. Three excellent balls from Archer to finish the over strongly.

Another pinpoint yorker by Archer, right at the base of the middle pole. Sundar can't do much about it and just squeezes it out to cover for another single.

Nails the yorker, on the off stump, Gill digs it out beside the strip on the leg side and turns the strike over.

Pace on now, full and on off. Gill hangs deep in the crease and thumps it down the ground. Ravindra Jadeja is quick across the turf at long on and gathers the ball on the bounce. Two runs taken.

Bashes the surface and this is angled into the left-hander. Sundar drops it with soft hands in the mid-wicket region for a run.

SIX! Hold the pose, Washington! Not a great ball by Archer. An off-cutter floated up to the batter with mid off inside the circle, on middle. Sundar presents the full face of the bat and swings through the line to pump it over the long off fence.

Wide! Pace off by Archer to start with. This is sprayed down leg, on a back of a length. Washington Sundar walks across for the scoop but misses.

Jofra Archer is back on.

Low full toss, on off, Sundar taps it to the left of extra cover and picks up a single. 11 runs off Ferreira's first over.

Pushed across the right-hander, full in length. Gill swings a bit too hard and loses his shape. Hacks it off the inner half to long on. Single taken.

FOUR! Hammered in the gap! Donovan Ferreira darts the ball in at the sticks, very full. Gill is quick to get the front pad out of the way and whips it away to the left of deep mid-wicket for a boundary.

Fired in full, on middle. Gill jams it out back to the bowler.

Shorter and on off, Sundar punches it to long off for a single.

FOUR! Lovely shot! Off-break first up, on a length, on off. Sundar reaches out in front and goes inside out with ease over cover to pick up a boundary.

Both the spinners are done with their spells, and unless Yashasvi Jaiswal thinks about getting Donovan Ferreira into the attack, it has to be all pace from now on. He has done exactly that, seeing the spinners doing well on this track. Also, Yash Punja's job is done for the night. He has been replaced by Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who is the Impact Sub for RR.

Yash Punja is substituted by Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

A couple of runs. Fractionally short, on off. Shubman gets on top of the bounce and punches it to the letft of deep cover. Dasun Shanaka gets around to his left in the deep and tidies up.

On a good length, on middle. Sundar works it away to long on for one.

Full and attacking the stumps, blocked out by Sundar.

A bit of misfield now! Floated and fuller, on middle. Washington Sundar clips it toward the vacant mid-wicket region. The fielder in the deep has a chase and tries to pick up and throw, but overruns. The batter gets the time to take the second.

A short stay for Jos Buttler. Washington Sundar comes out to the middle now.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! Ravindra Jadeja gets the big wicket of Jos Buttler. Full and on off at 107.2 kph, Buttler puts his head down and swings to go down the ground. He cuts across the line of the ball and the bat turns in his hand. Slices it high in the air towards long off, where Donovan Ferreira runs in off the ropes to settle under it and does the rest.

Fuller, outside off, Jos Buttler looks to reverse sweep but misses the connection.

Will Jadeja also bowl out now? Yes, he will.

FOUR! Innovative and effective! Punja drops it short once again, on off. Gill has all the time in the world to get into the position for the reverse and plays it over short third for a boundary.

Wide! Short and wide on off, Gill lets it go.

In the air... but safe! Fuller and flatter, just outside off. Shubman Gill charges down the track and looks to go big downtown, but gets it off the outer part of the bat. The ball lobs behind the cover region. The sweeper cover fielder, Shimron Hetmyer, charges across to his right and dives but the ball drops out of his reach. Two runs taken.

Around leg, on the shorter side. Buttler misses out on the tickle. The batters sneak in a leg bye as the ball rolls beside the strip on the leg side.

Slower through the air and fuller, around off. Jos Buttler leans on the delivery and rests it toward the off side.

SIX! Clean strike! Floated up, it is the googly, on middle. A bit too full by Punja and Buttler needs no second invitation. He swings through the line and pumps it over long on for a biggie.

Googly from Punja, pitching it up, on off. Jos Buttler looks to flick but closes the face of the willow early and gets the leading edge, before the ball rolls toward backward point.

Around off, a bit of turn, on a length, Buttler drives it past point and retains the strike with a single.

Fuller, around off, Shubman Gill punches it to deep extra cover for a single.

DROPPED, SIX! Shimron Hetmyer has tipped it over the ropes. Fizzed into the pads by Jajdea, full in length. Gill clears the front leg and whips it by using his bottom hand. Hits it flat to deep mid-wicket, where Hetmyer runs in off the ropes and then realises that he needs to back pedal. He gets both hands over his head but fails to cling on as the ball clips his fingertips and pops over his head before dropping beyond the fence.

FOUR! Quality shot! A touch fuller, outside off. Shubman Gill opens up his front hip and slaps it inside out, past cover for another boundary.

Full and speared in at the off stump. Buttler pushes it wide of cover for a run.

FOUR! Up and over! Flight offered, just outside off, fuller in length. Jos Buttler uses his bottom hand and lofts it inside out over cover for four runs.

Greets Buttler with a googly, on a good length, on middle. Jos picks it from the hand and works it with the spin towards the vacant mid-wicket region for a single to get off the mark.

Finally, something to cheer for the home crowd. Jos Buttler walks out to bat at number 3, against his former side. Shubman Gill is down again, getting treatment from the physio for his foot injury. We are good to resume.

OUT! CAUGHT! Yash Punja provides a much-needed breakthrough for the home side. Sai Sudharsan admonishes himself as he punches his bat. Googly from Punja, full and leaving the left-hander. Sai Sudharsan plants his front foot towards the pitch of the ball and swings at it. The bat turns in his hand and the ball goes off the inner half. It goes flat and straight down the throat of Jofra Archer at long on, who takes the catch close to his chest. End of a 118-run opening stand for GT.

A swing and a miss! Tossed up, across off. Sai Sudharsan attempts the reverse but fails to connect.

FIFTY FOR GILL! 4th half-century of the season for the GT skipper. Angled into the pads, on the shorter side. Shubman hangs back and flicks it through mid-wicket for a single. He did not have much of the strike early on, but once he settled in, he gradually began to dictate terms.

Short and on off, that is punched off the back foot to deep cover for a single.

Googly to start from Punja, just outside off. Sai Sudharsan pulls it from the inner half of his bat to backward square leg and gets a couple of runs.

Shubman Gill is really struggling. How long before he decides that he cannot continue? Especially with Sai Sudharsan being the kind of batter who constantly looks to push his partner for quick singles and twos.

Two quiet overs from Jadeja! Fires this one full and around off, Shubman Gill throws his hands at it but ends up bunting it onto the pitch as the ball rolls back to the bowler.

Sharp fielding! Short of a length, outside off. Sai Sudharsan opens the face of the bat and guides it toward the left of the short third fielder, but he does well to make a diving stop. They cross.

A full toss, on middle and leg, Shubman Gill drills it to long on for another run.

A tad fuller, outside off. Shubman Gill crouches a bit low and punches it toward the left of the deep cover-point fielder. Gill hobbles but manages to come back for the second run. Simon Katich reckons it could possibly be an Achilles issue.

Short and on middle and off, Sai Sudharsan rocks back and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a run.

Flat and full, just outside off. Shubman Gill leans on the delivery and pushes it to cover for a single.

Halt! The physio is out to attend to Shubman Gill. Just after completing the single on the previous ball, the GT skipper experienced some discomfort. It appears to be an issue with the back of his left leg. A magic spray followed by a few stretches, and Gill is ready to resume.

Game stopped due to : Play Halted

Risky single! Drops it short and on middle, angles it in, Shubman Gill backs away and stabs it towards extra cover. He sets off for the run but has to hurry, with the fielder missing his shy at the bowler's end.

Excellent running between the sticks! Short of a length, on middle, Shubman Gill rocks back and tucks it with soft hands in the vacant mid-wicket region. Yash Punja goes after the ball to put pressure on the batters, but fails to stop the second run.

FIFTY FOR SUDHARSAN! A knock out of the top drawer, and this is his 16th IPL half-century. He gets to it in just 30 balls and has not at all looked troubled. Dragged back and outside off, Sai Sudharsan cuts it to deep point for another run.

Full and on off, Gill comes forward and works it to long off for a run.

A googly, short and on off, Sai Sudharsan punches it to sweeper cover for a single.

FOUR! More runs for GT! Fractionally short, outside off, Sai Sudharsan rocks back and cuts it late. The ball goes past the keeper and races past short third for four runs.

First over without a boundary! Shortish and on middle, Sai Sudharsan punches it down to long off for one more.

Short again, around off, Gill pushes it to cover and gets across to rotate the strike.

Short and flat, on middle, played towards square leg for a single.

Much fuller, on off, Sai Sudharsan goes deep inside the crease and flicks it to the vacant square leg region to take a brace.

Put down! An excellent effort though! Floated, full and on off, Shubman Gill strides out and drives it uppishly and wide of extra cover. Yashasvi Jaiswal flings himself to his right, trying to grab it with his outstretched hand, but just fails to hold on to it. They cross.

Full-length delivery, on middle, Shubman Gill eases it back to the bowler.

It will be spin from both ends as Ravindra Jadeja has been introduced.

Dragged back and on middle, Shubman Gill stays back and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for one.

WIDE! Flighted, full but a bit too outside off, Shubman Gill lets it go. Called a wide.

FOUR! Not entirely under control, but Gill will take those runs. A touch fuller, angling it down the leg side. Shubman Gill sits down on one knee and looks to sweep it late and down toward fine leg, but gets the connection from the shoulder of the bat. The ball loops over the short fine leg fielder and races away for four runs.

Short and just outside off, Sai Sudharsan cuts it to deep point for another run.

Flighted, much fuller, just outside the off stump. Shubman Gill prods and drives it towards long off. Single taken.

Floated, short and around off, turns away a bit. Sai Sudharsan moves back to pull it away but misses. Dhruv Jurel, the keeper fails to collect it cleanly and allows a bye.

Yash Punja starts with a shorter one, outside off. Shubman Gill rocks back and punches it through cover for a single.

STRATEGIC BREAK! Rajasthan Royals take the timeout at the first opportunity available. They look rattled out on the park, and RR head coach, Kumar Sangakkara, has gathered his men in a huddle to regroup. This is a batting beauty, no doubt, but the Royals have not helped their own cause with some ordinary bowling. Having last played on 1st May before tonight, perhaps it is the rustiness showing. The Gujarat Titans could not have asked for a better start, and it is now about building on from here to post an imposing total and potentially bat RR out of the game. First look at spin as the tall leggie Yash Punja comes on.

Pitched up, on middle and leg, Shubman Gill drills it to long on for one more. Three 15-run overs in a row. Gujarat Titans are 82/0 at the end of the Powerplay. According to the on-air commentators, this is GT's best Powerplay score of the season.

FOUR! Cracking shot! Very full delivery, on middle and off, Shubman Gill stays in his crease and smacks it down the ground to the long off fence for another boundary.

A mix-up but no harm done! On a length and around off, Sai Sudharsan steers it towards point and sets off for the run but is sent back when he is halfway through. Jofra Archer takes his eyes off the ball and fails to pick it up cleanly, missing the chance to have a shy at the batter's end. The batters ulitmately get the run.

FOUR! Class batting! Attempted yorker, but it turns out to be a low full toss, around off. Sai Sudharsan leans on to his drive nicely and creams it through covers for a boundary.

Slower, full and on middle, Shubman Gill eases it to long on for a single.

FOUR! A bit streaky! Brijesh Sharma sees the batter back away and bowls a fine yorker, on middle. Shubman Gill hurriedly drops his bat down to save the ball from going into the stumps. Gets lucky as the ball catches the toe-end and races past the keeper to the third man fence for a boundary.

Another expensive over from Jofra Archer. Brijesh Sharma (1-0-11-0) is back with a change of ends.

Short of a length and on off, Shubman Gill runs it down to deep third for one more. Archer has gone for 33 in his first two overs!

FOUR! Powered away! Overpitched and on off, right in the hitting arc. Shubman Gill, with a high backlift, gets under it and thumps it over the bowler's head for four more runs.

Good length and on middle and leg, Shubman Gill pats it back to the bowler.

SIX! Makes it look easy! Much fuller and on off, Shubman Gill shows the full face of his bat and plays just a check drive. Once again, the timing is so good, the ball sails over the long off fence for a biggie.

Swing and a miss! Hard-length delivery, just outside the off stump, skids through a bit. Shubman Gill has a big heave across the line but fails to connect.

FOUR! Nicely played! Back of a length and around off, Shubman Gill makes room, gets on top of the bounce and just taps on the head of the ball. He times it incredibly well as the ball races through covers for a boundary.

The Royals are leaking runs at an alarming rate. Testing times for the captain. Yashasvi Jaiswal brings back Jofra Archer, who conceded 18 runs in his first over.

FOUR! That's just a gift! Short and down the leg side, begging to be put away. Sai Sudharsan makes no mistake and hooks it over short fine for a boundary to end the over. 50 UP FOR GT.

SIX! PUNISHED! Tushar Deshpande bangs this into the pitch, on middle, but not short enough to trouble the batter. Sai Sudharsan pounces on it in a flash and nails the pull shot over deep square leg for a biggie.

Another low full toss, on middle, Sai Sudharsan tucks it to mid-wicket.

Massive shout for LBW, but the umpire is unmoved! Tushar Deshpande gets the yorker right this time, on middle and leg. Sai Sudharsan looks to clip it away but misses as the ball goes past the bat to hit the front pad before deflecting towards point. Deshpande looks very interested, and Yashasvi Jaiswal takes the review here. UltraEdge confirms no bat involved but Ball Tracking shows the ball is pitching outside leg. RR lose a review.

A low full toss, on off, Shubman Gill drills it to extra cover for a quick single.

FOUR! The GT skipper gets in on the act now! Short of a length and around middle and leg, Shubman Gill backs away to create some room and laces the cut through point for his first boundary.

On a length and on middle, Sai Sudharsan nudges it to short mid-wicket.

SIX! Sweetly timed! Pace-off delivery, full and on middle and leg. Sai Sudharsan picks it up early, waits for it before whipping it with the flick of his wrists over the wide long on fence for a biggie.

Across off, on a good length, punched on the up but straight to extra cover.

FOUR! Easy pickings! Low full toss, down the leg side, slower as well. Sai Sudharsan is not going to miss out on that and helps it past the fielder at short fine leg for a boundary.

Sharp fielding! Touch fuller and on middle, Sai Sudharsan drives it firmly with a straight bat down the pitch. Brijesh Sharma sticks out his right hand on the follow-through and saves a certain boundary.

WIDE! The extras continue! Good length but angling down the leg side, Sai Sudharsan fails to get any bat on it.

Fuller and on middle, angling in, Sai Sudharsan takes a couple of steps out and tucks it to short mid-wicket.

Take two for Jofra Archer?  Nope, not right now. Brijesh Sharma comes on as the first change instead. The camera pans to Archer, who is still muttering something to himself.

Full again and on middle, shapes in a touch, Sai Sudharsan works it off the inner half of the bat through square leg for one.

Overpitched delivery, on middle, Sai Sudharsan drills it hard but straight to mid on.

FOUR! Fine shot! Back of a length and just around off, angling away. Sai Sudharsan rises with the bounce and punches it with sweet timing between cover and cover-point for a boundary.

WIDE! On a length but down the leg side, Sai Sudharsan tries to swipe it away but fails to connect. Another wide called. The extras are creeping in from the Royals.

Right in the blockhole, outside off, shapes away in the air, Shubman Gill jams it out towards cover for a run.

Short of a length and around off, Sai Sudharsan dabs it through backward point for a single.

Tushar Deshpande begins with a hard-length delivery, on middle, nips back in, Sai Sudharsan gets tucked up and misses his flick to get hit on the pads.

The first over took close to 10 minutes to be completed. Tushar Deshpande to operate from the other end. Words of comfort on the sidelines for Jofra Archer from RR head coach, Kumar Sangakkara. Archer looks quite animated out there.

Overthrow! This will only add to the frustration of Jofra Archer. Touch fuller and on off, Sai Sudharsan strides out and drives it firmly but straight to extra cover. Dhruv Jurel ​​​​​​loses sight of the ball in the lights as the throw comes in, and the ball bounces past him. That allows the batters to cross over for one as the ball rolls towards deep fine leg. 18 runs off the first over!

Uppish but safe! Archer pulls his length back a bit, on off, holds its line, Sai Sudharsan looks to clip it across the line but closes the bat face early. It takes the leading edge and lobs just over the extra cover fielder for a couple of runs.

Fuller and on middle, shapes in, Shubman Gill steps across and flicks it to deep square leg for a run. 15 runs already from the over with a couple of balls still to go.

Finally, nails the yorker, just around off, the ball goes behind even before Shubman Gill can get his bat down.

WIDE! Jofra Archer is really struggling with his lines here! Pitched up on middle, shaping down the leg side, Shubman Gill lets it go. Free Hit continues.

WIDE! Tries the slower one, but spills it down the leg side again. Shubman Gill misses his flick.

FIVE WIDES! More free runs for GT! Jofra Archer clicks around 145 kph, but serves this full and down the leg side. Shubman Gill fails to glance it away. The ball keeps swinging in behind the stumps and beats the dive of Dhruv Jurel to his left for a boundary.

Good length and around off, Sai Sudharsan opens the face of his bat and guides it towards backward point. The fielder gets low but fumbles, allowing a single. Uh..oh! The siren goes off, which means Archer has overstepped here. No Ball called. Free Hit up next...

Comes around the wicket, does Archer, hits the length hard, on middle and off, Sai Sudharsan dabs it down towards backward point.

WIDE! Back of a length and outside off at 142.2 kph, takes off a bit, Sai Sudharsan has a slash at it but gets beaten by the extra bounce. It is closer to the tramline, and the umpire calls it a wide.

FOUR! GT and Sai Sudharsan are underway in style! Jofra Archer starts with a short-of-a-length delivery, outside off. Sai Sudharsan gets the chance to free his arms, stands on his toes and crunches it over point for the first boundary of the game.

We are all set to get going. Yashasvi Jaiswal has gathered his men in a huddle. The Men in Pink disperse from the huddle and take their respective positions on the field. Out walk the ever-reliant GT opening pair of Sai Sudharsan and Shubman Gill. Jofra Archer will start the attack for the home side. Sudharsan to take strike. A solitary slip in place in the form of Donovan Ferreira. Let's play...

Pink Promise - Tonight, the Rajasthan Royals will don their special all-pink jersey as part of their annual 'Pink Promise' initiative. Chosen through a nationwide contest, the winning jersey design was created by 19-year-old Samiksha Rameshwar Mundada from Nashik. Now into its third year, the initiative is a campaign led by the Royal Rajasthan Foundation aimed at driving women-led transformation across rural Rajasthan. As part of this year's campaign, for every six hit during tonight's game, RR have pledged to light up six homes with solar energy. The special jersey also carries the names of women grassroots leaders supported by the Royal Rajasthan Foundation.

Impact sub options for GT - Prasidh Krishna, Glenn Phillips, Anuj Rawat, Sai Kishore and Kumar Kushagra.

Gujarat Titans (Playing XI) - Shubman Gill (C), Sai Sudharsan, Jos Buttler (WK), Jason Holder, Washington Sundar, Nishant Sindhu, Rashid Khan, Rahul Tewatia, Arshad Khan, Kagiso Rabada and Mohammed Siraj.

Impact sub options for RR - Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Adam Milne, Ravi Singh, Ravi Bishnoi and Sushant Mishra.

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

The captain of the Gujarat Titans - Shubman Gill says they would have bowled first as well. He confirms that Prasidh Krishna comes into the side in place of Manav Suthar. Gill also speaks about the importance of revisiting the team's strengths and reflecting on what has brought them success this season. Gill mentions that the side went back and focused on the small details ahead of this crucial phase of the tournament. On the approach with the bat, Gill says they will assess how the first couple of overs play and then identify what could be a par score on the surface, before aiming to push 10-15 runs beyond that mark to give the bowlers that extra cushion.

The skipper of the Rajasthan Royals - Yashasvi Jaiswal says that the wicket looks pretty good and they want to chase. Adds that Parag pulled his hamstring in the last game, but he will be back soon. Says that he is really excited and looking forward to the game. Informs that Shimron Hetmyer and Yash Punja come into the team.

TOSS - No Riyan Parag tonight for the Rajasthan Royals. Yashasvi Jaiswal is all kitted up and has walked out to the middle. Shubman Gill calls 'Tails', but it has come down as a Head. Rajasthan Royals opt to BOWL first.

Let's hear from the home side - On hitting sixes in the death overs, Donovan Ferreira cheekily says that it might have been hitting the middle of his bat or they are sending him good bats. He says that it is working out nicely for him and he feels refreshed and recharged after the break, and hopes to hit a few more in this game. Ferreira mentions that it is kind of his role to take responsibility in the middle order if the top order doesn't fire. He has been signed for the role, and it is coming off for him, but when it doesn't, it doesn't look great. He hopes to continue his good form. Donovan says that playing the full season has been his motivation in the IPL, as in the first three years, he carried a lot of drinks. In other leagues, he tries to find specific motivation for that tournament, which he feels is very important.

A quick word with Jos Buttler - Jos says there have not been any massive changes within the setup and credits GT's bowling performances as one of the biggest reasons behind their recent run of form. Mentions that the bowlers have consistently taken wickets and restricted opposition well, which has been a huge plus for the side.  Buttler points out that the team has had a short break of 5-6 days since the last game and knows the importance of tonight's clash against the Royals. Speaking about facing his former franchise, Jos says there is no extra motivation as such because the aim is to win every game. Having spent some very good seasons with RR and with the tournament entering the business end, Jos acknowledges these are massive two points for whichever side comes out on top. On what motivates him at this stage of his career, Buttler says it is all about being competitive, winning games and enjoying cricket. The Englishman feels this phase of his career is about enjoying the competition, investing in the team environment and sharing his experience with younger players coming through. Admits that during the World Cup, he was perhaps trying too hard and trying to be too perfect by controlling things beyond his reach. Buttler says the break from the game helped him reset mentally, and returning to the IPL allowed him to get back to basics. Adds that he worked hard on his setup during practice and allowed the rest of his game to flow naturally from there.

No Riyan Parag tonight? That is the murmur going around, and Yashasvi Jaiswal could captain the Royals tonight in the absence of Riyan. In the last game against DC before RR headed into the break, Parag had limped off the field with a hamstring injury. When asked about it after the game, he sounded optimistic that the break would help and that he would be fine. With the toss not far away, we shall have our answer soon.

PITCH REPORT - Murali Kartik and Simon Katich are pitchside to assess the conditions. Kartik mentions that this is pitch number 6, with the square boundaries measuring 68 metres and 63 metres respectively, while it is 75 metres straight down the ground. He also notes there is a breeze blowing across the ground, which is expected to stay throughout the night. Katich feels there are plenty of runs in the wicket. He points out that there is a good and even covering of grass on the surface and, more importantly, that it looks rock hard underneath. Since 2025, the average first-innings score at the venue has been 205. In the 9 games played at this venue since 2025, 6 have been won by the side batting second. Murali observes some straw-coloured, tufty grass on the surface and asks Simon whether it could have any say in the conditions. Katich responds by pointing out a bare patch at one end, which could make the wicket slightly two-paced at times. With the rest of the pitch having an even grass covering and the surface being rock hard, Simon expects the ball to come on nicely to the bat overall.

Titans' pace battery - Gujarat Titans have built their resurgence on an unlikely foundation - raw pace. Their pace unit has taken the most wickets (57) of any team in IPL 2026, with the best bowling strike rate (15.7). Kagiso Rabada leads the charge with 16 wickets, while Mohammed Siraj has been miserly with an economy of just 8.0, the third-best in IPL 2026. Jason Holder announced himself with a career-best 4/24 in the last game, his best figures in IPL history. Their batting, however, remains a work in progress. Washington Sundar has contributed 46 per cent of the runs from Nos. 4-7, his most productive IPL season yet. Sai Sudharsan averages 48.6 as an opener, but Jos Buttler has been inconsistent, and Shubman Gill is still finding rhythm. In Jaipur, where the average first-innings score is over 200, the Titans' bowlers will need to be at their absolute best. Stay tuned for toss and other updates.

Royals' batting brigade - Rajasthan Royals have finally found what was missing in previous seasons, a batting lineup with genuine depth. The revelation has been Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who has smashed over 400 runs at a strike rate well above 200, dominating the Powerplay like few others in IPL history. Alongside him, Yashasvi Jaiswal provides stability, while Riyan Parag has rediscovered his best. Riyan has the second-most runs at No. 4 in IPL since 2024, and his 90 off 50 balls in the last game was a reminder of his match-winning ability. Dhruv Jurel has excelled since moving to No. 3, averaging over 30 at a strike rate of 151. And then there's Donovan Ferreira, the South African finisher, who has scored the second-most runs at No. 5 or lower this season, with 16 sixes to his name. With Jofra Archer leading a pace attack that always threatens with the new ball, the Royals have the weapons. They now need consistency.

Jaipur braces for a thriller - The Sawai Mansingh Stadium lights up for a clash that has quietly become one of the IPL's fiercest rivalries. It's Match 52 of IPL 2026, and the Rajasthan Royals are hosting the Gujarat Titans in a rematch of their season-opening thriller, which Rajasthan won by just 6 runs in Ahmedabad. Since then, both teams have travelled very different paths. Gujarat have surged to 5th place with three straight wins, while Rajasthan have stuttered, losing three of their last five. But the head-to-head history at this ground tells a different story, and with playoff spots tightening, this is more than just a revenge game. Welcome, cricket fans, to the pink city. The pitch is ready, the crowd is roaring, and Jaipur is set for fireworks.

... MATCH DAY ...

Battle of the neighbours - The final fortnight of the IPL 2026 league stage is here, and the race for the top four is getting messier, louder, and a whole lot more exciting. Nobody said it would be easy, and nobody lied. This is the toughest league in world cricket for a reason. They say it doesn't matter how you start, it matters how you finish. The teams sitting pretty at the top would do well to glance at their rearview mirror right now, because what they see is not pretty. The chasing pack is closing in fast, headlights blazing, and there is no sign of them hitting the brakes anytime soon. Jaipur is ready. The Pink City plays host to match number 52 of the season, and what a match it promises to be. Fourth-placed Rajasthan Royals versus fifth-placed Gujarat Titans, right here at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium. This one has all the ingredients of a proper humdinger. Lose here, and it is not just two points that go out the window. It is your spot in the top four that starts slipping away in that very same rearview mirror. The importance of two points - If there’s one team that understands the value of two points, it is the Rajasthan Royals. They came out of the blocks like a team on a mission. Four wins on the trot to start the season, but what has followed since then is a different story altogether, and not a pleasant one. Two wins from their last six. No back-to-back victories to speak of. The momentum they built in those early weeks has quietly leaked away, and the table tells you exactly where that leaves them. Fourth place, yes, but hanging by a thread, literally. And here is what makes their situation even more delicate. It is not just about form. It is about time, or rather, the lack of it. Rajasthan are playing just two matches across a span of two weeks. They have come into this game off a week's break, and after this, another similar break awaits them. That is a brutal schedule for a team that desperately needs rhythm and momentum. So winning this one is just so very crucial for them. Peaking at the right time - This is exactly the mantra the Titans would be living by right now. Unlike the Royals, they have won four of their last six and the momentum in their camp is very real, very positive. And if you look closely at their journey through this season, there is a pattern that almost writes itself. Two defeats to start, a hat trick of wins to find their feet, two defeats again to keep them honest, and then another three wins on the trot to make a statement comeback. They are a side that loves to chase, and the numbers back it up. Five of their six wins this season have come while hunting down targets. But memory is a funny thing, and the Titans would do well to remember that it was Rajasthan who put a stop to one of those chases earlier this season in Ahmedabad, when a target of 211 proved too close yet so far. Over-dependency on the top order? Both sides carry a similar vulnerability into this contest, and it sits right at the top of their batting order. The numbers make it plain. RR average 46 for their opening partnership this season, whereas Gujarat averages 48. Very little to separate them on paper, and very little to separate the risk that comes with it. For Rajasthan, the story begins and often ends with Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. When those two fire, RR fire. The good news for them is that the pair have been remarkably consistent. In ten matches so far, only twice has their opening stand been broken in single digits. For Gujarat, the formula is no secret anymore. The whole cricketing world has figured it out. Get their top three early - Gill, Sudharsan, Buttler - and the middle order can be exposed. That tells you everything about how important and how reliable the top order has been in setting the tone upfront for these two teams. Mending the middle-order cracks But it is not all doom and gloom for Rajasthan in the middle order. There are green shoots, and they are appearing at just the right time. Riyan Parag and Dhruv Jurel finding form is a significant boost, especially after the skipper endured a difficult run with the bat. The captain’s knock of 90 off 50 balls, even in a losing cause, was a reminder of the stability Parag brings to the batting order, something that had been sorely missing. Further down, Donovan Ferreira has shown he can be a genuine match-winner, producing some truly impactful knocks when the team has needed them most. And the contributions of Ravindra Jadeja and Shubham Dubey have not gone unnoticed either. For the Titans, a similar story is unfolding. Jason Holder has not only added a healthy bowling option but also the kind of finishing ability that can change a game on its head. Nishant Sindhu further brings that calmness in the order and they would likely stick with this option. Washington Sundar showed his worth against PBKS, guiding GT home with a knock that had maturity written all over it. And while Rahul Tewatia has not had much time in the middle, that is hardly a reason to discount him. The pieces are finding their places, and the Titans would hope they lock in sooner rather than later. Cranking up the heat - Some of the most fearsome pacers in the tournament will share the same field. Kagiso Rabada leads the wicket-takers chart for Gujarat with 16 scalps, but Jofra Archer is breathing down his neck with 15 of his own for Rajasthan. And then there is Mohammed Siraj, who has been absolutely relentless in the Powerplay. He and Rabada, bowling in tandem during the first six overs, have made life very difficult for opposition batters, keeping them tied up and under pressure more often than not. The proof is in the numbers. Gujarat have picked up 18 Powerplay wickets this season. And their rivals are no different either. With the Archer and Burger setting the tone upfront with searing pace, the Royals have gone just one better, snapping up 19 wickets in the same phase. And the parity does not stop at pace. Two of the most deceptive leg spinners in this tournament, Ravi Bishnoi and Rashid Khan, have been equally effective for their respective sides. Different in their art, but identical in their returns. With 11 wickets each so far, they bring a whole lot of trouble for anyone who faces them. Team form (Last 5 completed IPL matches, recent first) RR - LWLWL | GT - WWWLL. What to expect? Jaipur is a huge ground, but do not let that fool you. The Sawai Mansingh Stadium has been a run fest this season. In two games played here so far, Rajasthan have batted first on both occasions, posted in excess of 225 each time, and still walked away empty-handed. If that tells you anything, it is that no score is safe here, and no chase is too big. The numbers elsewhere do not make for comfortable reading for the Royals either. The overall head-to-head between the two sides reads 6-3 in favour of the Titans. And right here in Jaipur, Gujarat have won two of the three meetings. For a team that calls this ground home, that is a fortress that has seen a few too many breaches. Rajasthan have lost seven of their last ten games here, with their only solace being that their last win at this venue did come against GT, last year. But records are made to be broken, and the Royals will be desperate to write a new one.