Match number 9 of the Indian Premier League 2026 provided all that an avid cricket fan could expect—runs, wickets, drama and a last over finish between the Gujarat Titans and the Rajasthan Royals. Match number 31 of the season, held at the famous Narendra Modi Stadium, ended up being one of the most entertaining games of the year.
Rajasthan Royals had a thriller of a match with Gujarat Titans as they held their nerve to win the game by 6 runs in what made for a great contest between fans and players.
Match Overview
| Match | Gujarat Titans vs Rajasthan Royals |
|---|---|
| Tournament | Indian Premier League 2026 |
| Match Number | 9th Match |
| Venue | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad |
| Date | April 4, 2026 |
| Toss | Rajasthan Royals won and chose to bat |
| Result | Rajasthan Royals won by 6 runs |
Rajasthan Royals Innings – A Powerful Batting Display
Rajasthan Royals began their batting innings in an aggressive fashion. The opening pair laid a solid platform, enabling the middle order to kick on when it mattered.
Top Performers
- Yashasvi got going with an attacking 55 off just 36 deliveries, effortlessly finding the boundaries.
- India were well served during the innings by Dhruv Jurel, who was the pick of the batsman with a blistering 75 off just 42 balls.
- Shimron Hetmyer bludgeoned quick runs at the end in an explosive cameo.
Rajasthan Royals Batting Scorecard
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yashasvi Jaiswal | 55 | 36 | 6 | 3 |
| Vaibhav Sooryavanshi | 31 | 18 | 5 | 1 |
| Dhruv Jurel | 75 | 42 | 5 | 5 |
| Riyan Parag | 8 | 4 | 0 | 1 |
| Shimron Hetmyer | 18 | 8 | 1 | 2 |
| Others | 23 | — | — | — |
| Total | 210/6 (20 overs) |
Rajasthan Royals consistently maintained a healthy run rate and easily went past the 200-run mark.
Gujarat Titans Bowling Performance
For the Gujarat Titans bowlers, the Rajasthan Royals batters gave them a tough time for most of that innings.
Key Bowlers
- Kagiso Rabada picked up 2 wickets but conceded runs.
- Rashid Khan bowled economically and took an important wicket.
- Mohammed Siraj struggled to contain runs.
Despite a few breakthroughs here and there, Gujarat Titans could not rein in the scoring rate.
Gujarat Titans’ Run Chase – A Fight Till the End
Gujarat Titans needed a fast start while chasing 211 runs, and they got it. But it was the middle overs that completely shifted the match.
Top Performers
- Sai Sudharsan played an outstanding innings of 73 runs off 44 balls.
- Jos Buttler contributed with a quick 26 runs.
- Rashid Khan tried to finish the game with a late cameo.
Gujarat Titans Batting Scorecard
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sai Sudharsan | 73 | 44 | 9 | 3 |
| Kumar Kushagra | 18 | 14 | 3 | 0 |
| Jos Buttler | 26 | 14 | 5 | 0 |
| Glenn Phillips | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Rahul Tewatia | 12 | 6 | 1 | 1 |
| Rashid Khan | 24 | 16 | 3 | 0 |
| Others | 48 | — | — | — |
| Total | 204/8 (20 overs) |
The Gujarat Titans lost by 6 runs, failing at the vital moments despite a strong start.
Rajasthan Royals Bowling – The Game Changer
The actual turning point of the match was Rajasthan Royals’ bowling unit, especially their performance in the middle overs.
Match-Winning Spell
- Ravi Bishnoi bowled a splendid spell, taking 4 wickets and dismantling the backbone of the Gujarat Titans batting lineup.
- Tushar Deshpande and Nandre Burger chipped in well with important wickets.
Key Moments of the Match
- Strong Opening Partnership
Rajasthan Royals built a solid foundation in the powerplay. - Dhruv Jurel’s Brilliant Knock
His 75 runs ensured a big total on the board. - Middle-Order Collapse of Gujarat Titans
Quick wickets during the chase shifted momentum. - Ravi Bishnoi’s Magic Spell
His 4 wickets changed the direction of the match completely. - The Gujarat Titans required some big hits from Ahmedabad this time in the last over but were unable to finish it.
Fall of Wickets Summary
Rajasthan Royals
| Score | Wicket |
|---|---|
| 70/1 | Sooryavanshi |
| 126/2 | Jaiswal |
| 135/3 | Parag |
| 165/4 | Hetmyer |
| 166/5 | Ferreira |
| 205/6 | Jurel |
Gujarat Titans
| Score | Wicket |
|---|---|
| 78/1 | Kushagra |
| 107/2 | Sudharsan |
| 127/3 | Phillips |
| 131/4 | Sundar |
| 133/5 | Buttler |
| 155/6 | Tewatia |
| 161/7 | Shahrukh Khan |
| 204/8 | Rashid Khan |
Match Analysis
This game was a clear depiction of how crucial middle overs are in T20 cricket. Gujarat Titans looked set while chasing but the regular fall of wickets affected the chase.
In contrast, the Rajasthan Royals executed their plans to perfection. Set a fine total by their batters and bowled with discipline and belief to defend it.
The pitch at Narendra Modi Stadium was on the batting-friendly side but clever use of variations by bowlers worked.
Player of the Match
While many players did well, it’s hard to overlook Ravi Bishnoi and his match-winning 4-wicket haul as the most impactful player.
Why Rajasthan Royals Won
- Strong batting performance
- Excellent middle-over bowling
- Key wickets at crucial moments
- Better handling of pressure situations
What Gujarat Titans Can Improve
- Middle-order stability
- Better strike rotation during pressure
- Bowling control in death overs
Conclusion
Gujarat Titans vs Rajasthan Royals, 9th Match, Indian Premier League 2026 – Scorecard: Rajasthan Royals held their nerves and came out on top in a close encounter.
In middle overs—the phase where they lost their way—there were errors of judgment. Matches like these are why the Indian Premier League is one of the most thrilling cricket competitions in the world.
FAQs
1. IPL 2026: GTV vs RAR Who won the match?
The match ended with Rajasthan Royals winning by 6 runs.
2. Where was the match played?
The match took place at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad
3. Who was the highest run scorer in the match?
Dhruv Jurel was the highest run-scorer, with 75 runs.
4. Which bowler had the most wickets in this match?
Ravi Bishnoi took 4 wickets.
5. What did Rajasthan Royals score?
Rajasthan Royals scored 210 runs for 6 wickets.
