Rajasthan Royals beat Gujarat Titans by 6 runs in the ninth match of the Indian Premier League 2026. This match was played at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Rajasthan Royals were batting first and Gujarat Titans were without their captain Shubman Gill who missed the game due to injury. Rajasthan Royals openers started brilliantly in the power play. Yashasvi Jaiswal smashed a half century while contributions from Dhruv Jurel and Hetmyer helped Rajasthan post a total of 210/6 in the first innings. Gujarat Titans came very close as they ended with 204/8 as RR won the game.
Archer: (On the excellent catch to dismiss Rashid) Initially when he hit it, I thought it went for six. I just hoped for the best and I just caught it and it stayed in. That’s all. As a fellow bowler you want the fielders backing up. Everything that could have gone right for us on the field went right. (On the last minute change to bowl the 19th over instead of Tushar Deshpande) I didn’t take it from him. Riyan changed his mind. He was going to bowl the 19th and I was going to bowl the last one. Practice and a game can be two different things. Being adaptable is important. Slower balls weren’t staying in so we had to go predominantly pace on.
Rashid Khan | GT stand-in 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. Well, I feel, on the wicket like this, 9-10 per over, it’s not that the hard job to be done. And I feel like we just, a little bit like you lose the momentum in that time and go harder and to keep a little bit for a longer period of time. And the boundaries were coming. I think on this wicket, boundaries were coming easily. And, but I think we just lost a few early quick wickets in that period of time, which just didn’t allow us to go on and keep the momentum till the end. (on regrouping) Well, everyone have their own gameplan and they know the condition and situation really well. And then just to make sure that, you read the condition and the requirement of the game. Everything is written on the board. I feel like that makes the job pretty much easier, but it’s too early, it’s still in the competition. We learn from our mistakes, what we do and we keep getting better and come back stronger in the next game. (on the chat in the last over) Well, the discussion was clear, like, you know, we just need to hit one boundary. And I feel like if we get there, I think we don’t need much of the boundaries in that over. And 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.
Riyan Parag | RR skipper:
It was just incredible. I took a change thinking that let’s go full and fast. It’s insane that they 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.
Ravi Bishnoi, Player of the Match:
(On his preparation for the season) 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.
Rajasthan Royals now have two wins in two matches in IPL 2026 and it has been a fascinating double header game today in the Indian Premier League. Rajasthan Royals will face Mumbai Indians in their next game while Gujarat Titans will be up against Delhi Capitals in their next game. It was an entertaining game today and Rajasthan Royals picked up the win.