Ahmedabad, 05 April (H.S.):

Rajasthan Royals secured their first electrifying win of IPL 2026, edging out Gujarat Titans by six runs in a nail-biting encounter at Narendra Modi Stadium on Saturday, propelled by Tushar Deshpande's masterful final over and Ravi Bishnoi's incisive spell of four wickets.

Rajasthan's Commanding Total

Winning the toss and opting to bat first, Rajasthan Royals amassed a formidable 210 for six in 20 overs, courtesy of Yashasvi Jaiswal's polished 55 and Dhruv Jurel's explosive 75, both crafting match-defining half-centuries. Youngster Vaibhav Raghuvanshi complemented the effort with a blistering 31, setting a challenging target that tested Gujarat's mettle.

Gujarat's Valiant Chase Unravels

Gujarat Titans launched their pursuit with promise, anchored by Sai Sudharsan's elegant 73 that kept them in contention. However, Ravi Bishnoi's intervention proved decisive; his four crucial wickets in the middle overs dismantled the batting lineup, plunging Gujarat to 133 for five and shifting the momentum decisively.

Dramatic Finish

A late flourish from acting captain Rashid Khan and Kagiso Rabada injected fresh drama, propelling Gujarat within striking distance. Requiring 11 runs off the final over, they could muster only four before Deshpande struck, claiming a vital wicket with pinpoint yorkers under pressure. Rajasthan thus clinched a thrilling triumph, marking a pulsating start to their campaign.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar