Rashid Khan Reflects on Gujarat Titans' Narrow Defeat to Rajasthan Royals

In a thrilling IPL 2026 match, Gujarat Titans faced a narrow defeat against Rajasthan Royals, with stand-in captain Rashid Khan expressing disappointment over lost momentum after quick wickets. Despite a strong performance from Sai Sudharsan, who scored 73 runs, and a late effort from Rashid and Kagiso Rabada, RR's Ravi Bishnoi's four-wicket haul proved decisive. The match concluded with RR clinching victory by six runs, leaving GT to reflect on their second consecutive loss. Rashid emphasized the need for the middle order to adapt and learn from their mistakes as they prepare for upcoming matches.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 5, 2026, 02:11 IST

Rashid Khan Expresses Disappointment Over Lost Momentum

In a gripping match on Saturday, Gujarat Titans' stand-in captain Rashid Khan lamented the team's inability to maintain momentum after suffering back-to-back wickets, leading to their second consecutive loss in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 against Rajasthan Royals. Despite a commendable performance from Sai Sudharsan, who scored 73 runs, and a late effort from Rashid Khan and Kagiso Rabada, RR's Ravi Bishnoi's impressive four-wicket haul made a significant impact. The match concluded dramatically, with GT needing 11 runs in the final over, but RR's Tushar Deshpande held his nerve, conceding only four runs and claiming Rashid's wicket (24 runs off 16 balls), who had formed a 43-run partnership with Rabada (23 not out off 16 balls).

'We Will Learn from Our Mistakes'

During the post-match presentation, Rashid, filling in for Shubman Gill due to a muscle spasm, acknowledged that while the Titans started strong with both bat and ball, the loss of quick wickets in the middle overs severely hindered their chase. GT lost key players Glenn Phillips (3), Washington Sundar (4), Rahul Tewatia (12), and Shaheukh Khan (11) in rapid succession. Rashid stated, "We bowled well, especially after their start. We began strongly with the bat, but losing consecutive wickets put us on the back foot. On a pitch like this, scoring 9-10 runs per over is manageable. We just lost a few quick wickets, which disrupted our momentum."

Match Recap: RR Secures a Thrilling Victory

In the match, Gujarat Titans aimed to chase down 211 runs, sending Kumar Kushagra and Sai Sudharsan to open. Sudharsan excelled, scoring 73 off 44 balls, while the opening pair added 78 runs before Kushagra fell for 18. Sudharsan's dismissal came shortly after, courtesy of Ravi Bishnoi, who later dismantled the middle order, finishing with remarkable figures of 4 for 41 in 4 overs. Despite Rashid and Rabada's resistance, GT ultimately fell short, finishing at 204 runs, resulting in a nail-biting six-run victory for RR.

RR's Innings: Jaiswal and Jurel Shine

Batting first, Rajasthan Royals started strong, with openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi scoring 32 runs in three overs. They ended the power play at 69/0. Jaiswal reached his half-century in just 32 balls but was dismissed shortly after for 55 runs. Dhruv Jurel also shone, scoring 75 runs off 42 balls, helping RR set a formidable target of 210/6. For Gujarat, Kagiso Rabada took two wickets, while Rashid Khan and others claimed one each.