The Rajasthan Royals edged past the Gujarat Titans by six runs in Match 9 of the Indian Premier League 2026 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in a high-scoring thriller.

Asked to bat first, RR posted an imposing 210/6 in 20 overs, as Yashasvi Jaiswal led the charge with a fluent 55, while Dhruv Jurel played a decisive hand with a brilliant 75 off 42 balls. Contributions through the middle ensured RR maintained a strong scoring rate throughout the innings.

In response, GT mounted a strong chase, powered by Sai Sudharsan’s impressive 73 off 44 balls. However, they kept losing wickets at crucial moments. Ravi Bishnoi turned the game on its head with a match-defining spell, finishing with 4/41, including a crucial double strike in the 13th over that stalled the chase.

Despite a late push from Rashid Khan and Kagiso Rabada, GT fell short at 204/8, as RR held their nerve to seal a thrilling victory. 

Talking Points

1) RR’s top-order in top form

The Rajasthan Royals top order delivered a yet another stunning performance after being put in to bat. Yashasvi Jaiswal set the tone with a fluent 55 off 36 balls, and he was well supported by teenage sensation, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who played a fearless knock of 31 off just 18 deliveries, keeping the momentum intact in the powerplay. The standout contribution came from Dhruv Jurel, who anchored the innings with a 75 off 42 balls. His ability to accelerate in the latter half ensured RR posted a daunting total.

2) Sai Sudharsan lone warrior for GT

For the Gujarat Titans, it was a proper one-man effort with the bat as Sai Sudharsan stood tall in this chase. The left-hander played a superb knock of 73 off 44 balls, striking nine boundaries and three sixes while trying to keep GT in the hunt. He looked in complete control and carried the chase on his shoulders. However, a lack of support from the other end meant his effort ultimately went in vain as wickets kept falling at regular intervals.

3) Ravi Bishnoi’s game-changing spell

The turning point of the match came through a sensational spell from Ravi Bishnoi, who dismantled GT’s chase with figures of 4/41. Bishnoi’s biggest impact came in the 13th over, where he picked up two crucial wickets in quick succession, completely shifting the momentum towards RR. His variations, especially the googly, proved too difficult to read, and his ability to strike at key moments ensured Gujarat never regained control of the chase. 

Who said what?

Riyan Parag, RR captain

“It was just incredible. I took a challenge thinking that let’s go full and fast. It’s insane that they (Archer and Tushar) executed as we wanted. He (Dhruv Jurel) asked me to go Jofra on the 19th so credit to him for that. If it comes out it’s good, if it doesn’t we go again. We have not done a lot of justice to the talent he has got. He has to bat No. 3 and hopefully this is the start for him. We will focus on what we need to do against Mumbai.”

Rashid Khan, GT captain 

“Well, I think, we bowled really well, especially the way they have started to restrict them under like, 210. I think it was a great effort on this wicket by the bowlers. And then we started really well with the bat too. I felt we have given a great start with the openers. And then I felt in the 12th and 13th overs, we lost back-to-back wickets. That’s something which really put us on the back foot. But I think, if they were there, it wasn’t that hard to score, but I think in that period of time, we just lost the momentum of the game. I think Tushar bowled really well. He bowled some exceptional yorkers. We didn’t allow us to go on, but I feel that the one ball which he missed his line length, I should have picked that for six. (on Gill) He’s good. Hopefully he’s gonna be all right for the next game. He just had the muscles spasm, so hopefully he’s gonna be all right soon.”

Ravi Bishnoi, Player of the Match

“It was a difficult season last year. When I miss my length, I get hit. I was trying to work on my lengths and if anyone hits off those, then no problem. Mental, technical and physical (effort) all together. Had to bowl a lot of balls (to keep improving). (On which was his favourite wicket) The wicket of Rahul (Tewatia). He is a player renowned for such situations. If he would not have been dismissed then, the match could have gone either way. The way Tushar bowled, the way Jofra bowled the 19th, it was a collective effort. It is a young team and we hope to continue entertaining.”

Former Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh has spoken on India’s recent form in Test cricket, suffering significant home series losses to South Africa and New Zealand.

The Kiwis whitewashed India 3-0 in late 2024, with Mitchell Santner and Ajaz Patel as the backbones of those victories, while South Africa in 2025 whitewashed India 2-0, on the back of Simon Harmer picking up key wickets, ably backed up by Keshav Maharaj.

The ex-India all-rounder believes that the players need to play more domestic cricket, as the team fails to combat spin bowling after the retirements of senior players. New Zealand won on the back of Santner and Patel producing memorable spells on pitches where Indian spinners lacked the intent to get breakthroughs.

“A few of our senior players retired and in India, for tackling spin and winning Tests, you have to play more domestic cricket. We are not getting out to spinners who are absolutely world class. They are not in the same league as Shane Warne, Muralidharan, Harbhajan, Ashwin or Anil bhai [Kumble]. We need to improve our game against spin and that will happen only when we play more domestic games,” Yuvraj told Sports Tak.

The legendary cricketer further stated that Test cricket is the ultimate honour, despite the lucrative money and fame offered to the cricketers taking part in the Indian Premier League.

“Test cricket is a matter of honour. It has now become a matter of honour versus money. I keep telling the boys, that the IPL needs you, but you need the India badge. There are 10 teams in the IPL, they need good players. But you want to play for India, if you are not playing for the country, are you ok with that? Some players are. I always say that playing Tests or ODIs is a matter of honour, ‘I want to play Test cricket no matter what’. Because that is the biggest test,” Yuvraj emphasised.

England series a ‘big win’ in Yuvraj’s eyes

Prior to the South Africa series, India went to England for a five-match series in June. Shubman Gill, in his first assignment as captain, led India to a 2-2 draw while having a prolific series with the bat. This was India’s first series since the retirement of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.

Yuvraj spoke of how that was a big achievement for this team, but it does not allow room for home losses as significant as the ones against South Africa and New Zealand. He further emphasised the necessity for Indian cricketers to play more domestic cricket, to understand issues that persist in the team.

“For me that [drawn series 2-2 against England in August 2025] was a big win for India. It was such a young team and they drew 2-2 there. That draw that they managed in the fourth Test, you need character for that. So give it some time. But that also doesn’t mean you lose this badly in India.”

“Losing three Tests in a row, and then two in a row. If it was 2-1 or 3-2 losses, you can understand, but not this badly. That means there is a major issue somewhere and the guys have to think more about domestic cricket, playing more domestic cricket and giving more time to Test cricket,” he concluded.

Kolkata Knight Riders fast-bowler Navdeep Saini is in the news, but for the wrong reasons. On a social media post, posted by Saini, one of the fans had made some nasty comments on Saini’s personal life. 

In reply to the comment, the Delhi pacer had a very strong response to the fan’s disrespectful remarks. Saini, in his reply, seemingly abused the fan in his response. 

On field mein khel toh nhi pa rahe ho of field mein enjoy karlo 2 month aur ghr chle jao [You haven’t been able to play on the field, so better go off-field and enjoy at home for the next two months],” the user commented on an Instagram post, pointing towards Saini’s non-inclusion in KKR’s playing XI in IPL 2026.

“to teri kyun g…d me dard ho rha h [So why is it causing a pain in your backside],” wrote Saini in reply to a fan. 

Check Navdeep Saini’s heated interaction with a fan on Instagram here

Interestingly, the ongoing season of the IPL 2026 has not been a fruitful one for the three-time IPL champions. They have lost both of their opening matches so far and are under immense pressure. Saini’s uncalled-for behaviour will certainly exacerbate KKR’s struggles.

The Delhi pacer was bought in by KKR in their squad for the IPL 2026 as a replacement player for injured pacer Harshit Rana. Saini was travelling with the KKR side as a net bowler before the start of the season and was rewarded with this opportunity.

“If I have to give this opportunity another name, I will call it revival. I saw many ups and downs in the last two-three years. But the important thing was to be there and keep working hard. Ever since I started playing cricket, I have relied on hard work. So I didn’t give that up and because of that, I got this opportunity. You can say this has revived me,” Saini had told KKR. 

In his 32-match IPL career, the right-arm pacer has picked up 23 wickets at an average of 42.33 and with an economy rate of 8.88.