Rajasthan Royals avenged themselves in the first half of the Indian Premier League 2023 after losing all three matches against Gujarat Titans the previous year, including the final. But, in the second meeting between the two teams this season, it was the holders who came out on top.
Gujarat Titans defeated Rajasthan Royals by nine wickets at Jaipur’s Sawai Mansingh Stadium, thanks to a strong bowling effort. Rajasthan Royals were bowled out for 118 in 17.5 overs, while Gujarat won with 119/1 in 13.5 overs to take a three-point lead at the top of the table.
RR found themselves in a promising position at 47/1 in five overs. But after that, it was all Gujarat Titans. From 60/2 to 96/8 in seven overs, RR’s whole middle order died for a total of 36 runs.
It all started with Jos Buttler’s early dismissal. When the English opener is on form, RR seems like a completely another animal. Last year, he was the tournament’s leading run-scorer, far ahead of second-placed KL Rahul, and he started this season with three half-centuries in four knocks. But in the six innings since, he’s only allowed 93 runs with two strikeouts. On Friday, he hit two boundaries off Hardik Pandya before being caught at short third of the following ball.
Soon after, the in-form Jaiswal was run-out due to a mix-up with Samson, and Gujarat Titans saw an opportunity. Then came Samson’s departure, which was familiar to anyone who had watched his career – some magnificent strokes followed by the softest of dismissals.
Rajasthan lost three of their best players just 41 balls into the game. The climax of the competition, however, was about to begin: an enthralling spell by the Afghan combination of Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad.
R Ashwin, who had been promoted to No. 5, was beaten twice before being dismissed by a Rashid Khan leg-spinner. It was a stunning set-up with a crushing finisher. Next, Riyan Parag got caught in front by a delivery that spun the other way.
After RR had lost half their side in the first ten overs, it was Ahmad’s turn to join the party. Before trapping the dangerous Dhruv Jurel in front, the left-arm wrist spinner sent Devdutt Padikkal’s off stump for a walk. Finally, Khan managed to get Shimron Hetmyer out leg-first, sealing RR’s doom.
All five wickets taken by Khan (3/14) and Ahmad (2/25) came as a result of batters offering defensive swings and being misled. The compatriots put on a remarkable display of spin bowling.
Because the surface lacked a true devil, RR’s only option with the ball was to go for wickets. They needed early strikes to have a chance, but that didn’t happen, much to the chagrin of the home crowd.
Shubman Gill and Wriddhiman Saha put on a 71-run opening stand. Yuzvendra Chahal stumped Gill in the tenth over, but Pandya hammered three sixes and a four off Adam Zampa in the next over as Gujarat Titans won with 37 balls to spare.
