Gujarat Titans beat the Rajasthan Royals by 77 runs. Courtesy: PTIVISHAL BHATNAGAR

Gujarat Titans strengthen playoff grip as Rajasthan Royals sink further

IPL 2026, RR vs GT: Gujarat Titans stormed into the top two after beating the Rajasthan Royals by 77 runs on Saturday at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. With the defeat, the Royals also slipped out of the top four.

09 May 2026, 17:54 by Sabyasachi Chowdhury · India Today

In Short

Gujarat Titans beat the Rajasthan Royals by 77 runs
The Titans bowled the Royals out for 152 in 16.3 overs
The Royals also dropped out of the top four

Brief Scores: Gujarat Titans (229/4 in 20 ovs) beat Rajasthan Royals (152-all out in 16.3 ovs) by 77 runs at Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur.

RR vs GT: HIGHLIGHTS | SCORECARD

Rajasthan Royals kept sliding in IPL 2026 as they suffered a crushing 77-run defeat to Gujarat Titans on Saturday, May 9, at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. Yashasvi Jaiswal, leading the side in the absence of the injured Riyan Parag, endured a disappointing start to his captaincy stint as the Royals were bowled out for 152 in 16.3 overs while chasing 230.

The Royals had looked unstoppable at the start of the season, winning their first four matches. But a fifth defeat in their last seven games has now pushed them out of the top four, leaving their playoff hopes hanging in the balance.

Meanwhile, the Titans continued to grow in confidence and stature, registering their fourth successive victory to climb into the top two. Against Rajasthan, Sai Sudharsan and Shubman Gill powered them to a formidable total before Rashid Khan and Jason Holder starred with the ball to seal a comprehensive win with ease.

GILL SUDHARSAN SET THE PLATFORM

After being asked to bat first, the Titans got off to a flying start as Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan played their shots freely from the outset. For the Royals, Jofra Archer endured a torrid start, conceding 17 runs in his opening over while also bowling multiple wides and no-balls.

Archer overall had a difficult outing and failed to complete his quota after leaking 46 runs in three overs. Riding on the momentum generated in the first over, the Titans raced to 82 runs in the powerplay.

Sudharsan, who has been in scintillating form this season, brought up his half-century off just 30 balls. Soon after, Gill faced an injury scare involving his left foot, with the physio forced to apply magic spray to ease the discomfort.

Despite the concern, Gill showed remarkable composure and quickly reached his own fifty off 30 deliveries. The pair continued their dominance, registering their sixth century partnership and eventually adding 118 runs for the opening wicket in only 65 balls.

Yash Raj Punja finally provided Rajasthan with some relief after dismissing Sudharsan, who scored a fluent 55 off 36 balls. Jos Buttler looked threatening briefly before Ravindra Jadeja removed him. Jadeja then pulled off a unique celebration, gesturing as though he keeps Buttler in his pocket.

SUNDAR POWERS GUJARAT

Gill, meanwhile, was once again unfortunate to miss out on a century. Last month, he had fallen in the 80s against the Kolkata Knight Riders, and this time too he perished in the same range after a brilliant 84 off 44 balls.

Following the dismissal of the top three, Washington Sundar took responsibility for steering Gujarat towards a strong total with an unbeaten 37. However, the Titans lost some momentum during the middle overs.

In the 18th and 19th overs, Gujarat managed only 12 runs as Rajasthan appeared to have clawed their way back impressively into the contest. But Rahul Tewatia (14) and Sundar restored the momentum in the final over, smashing Tushar Deshpande for 21 runs. Powered by the late flourish, the Titans eventually posted a formidable 229 for four on the board.

RAJASTHAN MAKE FEARLESS START

Rajasthan got off to a flying start thanks to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s fearless approach. The 15-year-old announced himself in style with a towering six off Mohammed Siraj, but soon found himself in considerable pain after smashing the ball straight onto his own boot off the same bowler.

Despite the blow, Sooryavanshi quickly got back on his feet and resumed his counterattack. He particularly targeted Kagiso Rabada, smashing him for back-to-back sixes to keep Rajasthan firmly on the front foot. At that stage, it looked as though Sooryavanshi was set to recreate his heroics from Jaipur last year, when he hammered a sensational 35-ball century to stun the Titans.

However, Siraj ensured there would be no repeat of that carnage as he eventually dismissed Sooryavanshi for 36. Yashasvi Jaiswal, who had barely faced deliveries in the opening overs, failed to make an impact and departed for a single-digit score, with Rabada opening his account. Rabada then struck again by removing Shimron Hetmyer, leaving Rajasthan under mounting pressure.

But Dhruv Jurel came out with attacking intent, taking 22 runs off Siraj’s third over. Although the Royals had already lost three wickets inside the powerplay, their aggressive batting ensured they still raced to 78 runs in the first six overs and remained ahead in the contest.

RASHID KHAN ROCKS RAJASTHAN

However, the momentum gradually began to shift after the powerplay as the Titans slowly tightened their grip on the game. Rashid Khan turned the contest on its head in his very first over, dismissing Dhruv Jurel and Donovan Ferreira in quick succession.

The Afghan leg-spinner hit the right lengths and cleaned up both batters, leaving the Royals stunned after losing half their side. From there on, the writing was pretty much on the wall for Rajasthan.

Jadeja also played with positive intent, scoring 38 off 25 balls, but once Rashid Khan dismissed him, the Royals folded in a hurry. Rashid was arguably the standout bowler for the Titans, finishing with impressive figures of 4 for 33 from his four overs.

Jason Holder then wrapped up the lower order with figures of 3 for 12, as the Royals ultimately proved no match for the Titans on the day.

- Ends