IPL 2023: Defending champions Gujarat Titans edge closer to playoffs after huge win over Rajasthan Royals

Gujarat Titans defeated Rajasthan Royals at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on Friday to consolidate.

Their position at the top of the IPL 2023 points table and edge close to the playoffs. GT, the defending champions, chased down a modest 119 to take their tally to 14 points from 10 matches.

It was a clinical performance by Gujarat Titans, who had lost a low-scoring match against Delhi Capitals on Tuesday. They were chasing 131 in Ahmedabad but fell short by 5 runs despite a half-century from Hardik Pandya. Before the RR match, Mohammed Shami, who was named man-of-the-match for his four-wicket haul against DC, said GT had become too relaxed a few days back.

Against Rajasthan Royals, Gujarat Titans were ruthless. Rashid Khan (3 for 14) and Noor Ahmad (2 for 25) spun a web around the RR batters before Shubman Gill and Wriddhiman Saha added 71 for the first wicket. Yuzvendra Chahal dismissed Gill for 36 but there was little left for the Royals to defend after a strong opening partnership.

Hardik Pandya regretted not finishing off the chase against Delhi Capitals; on Friday, he was determined to make amends and hit Adam Zampa for 23 runs off 5 balls as the Titans edged closer to a comprehensive victory.

The Rajasthan Royals innings was a collective disaster. Poor decision-making by their batters coupled with inexplicable tactics from the thinktank meant RR would collapse for a mere 118 against a superb Gujarat Titans bowling line-up.

Jos Buttler has been nowhere near as good as he was in 2022. On Friday, he fell cheaply again as GT captain Hardik Pandya struck in his first over. Yashasvi Jaiswal has been brilliant this summer and he was looking good again, especially after a well-timed six off Mohammed Shami but a horrible mix-up with RR captain Sanju Samson ended an entertaining innings.

Sanju Samson was the biggest threat for the Titans at that stage, but he was sent back by Josh Little as RR slipped into further trouble. Until that point, RR could have still salvaged their innings but R Ashwin was sent in to join Devdutt Padikkal ahead of Shimron Hetmyer and Dhruv Jurel at a time when they needed proper batters to dig the side out of trouble.

R Ashwin had no clue against Rashid Khan and lost his wicket to the wily leg-spinner for 2 off 6 balls. By then, the Royals had started to panic and Riyan Parag subsituted Jaiswal in a move which meant they had to bowl with only five bowlers. But RR needed runs and they looked to Parag to finally deliver. However, he too was outfoxed by Rashid Khan; moreover, Parag wasted a review as replays showed he was plumb LBW.

Devdutt Padikkal, Shimron Hetmyer and Dhruv Jurel could do little against GT’s Afgan spinners Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad who took five wickets between them. It was bizarre to see any team send Hetmyer in at No.7 when they are in the middle of a batting collapse. So dominant were GT with their bowling performance that Mohit Sharma, one of their best bowlers this season, came into the attack only in the 18th over of the innings.

Rajasthan Royals were eventually bowled out for 118 and their bowlers showed no fight as Gujarat Titans stormed to victory days after failing to chase down a low total against Delhi Capitals at home.