GT vs RR IPL 2026: What Was The Turning Point Of The Match At Narendra Modi Stadium?

GT vs RR: The nail-biting finish of the IPL 2026 encounter between the Gujarat Titans (GT) and the Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Narendra Modi Stadium ended with a thrilling 6-run defeat for the GT. The victory has put the Royals at the top of the IPL table with a net run rate of 2.23.

Batting first, the Royals posted a mammoth total of 210/6 in the first innings. The Titans came within touching distance of the total. However, the Royals had the last laugh and won on the back of a phenomenal bowling display from Jofra Archer, Tushar Deshpande, and Ravi Bishnoi.

RR vs GT, Match 9

Chasing a daunting target of 211, the Gujarat Titans fell just short, finishing at 204/8 in their 20 overs. Despite a valiant effort from Sai Sudharsan, who struck 73 off 44 deliveries (9

fours, 3 sixes), the rest of the batting lineup failed to build momentum at crucial stages.

Leading the charge for the Rajasthan Royals was Ravi Bishnoi, who delivered a match-winning spell of 4/41 to derail Gujarat's chase. He was well supported by Nandre Burger and Riyan Parag, who chipped in with a wicket apiece.

Earlier, Rajasthan posted a formidable 210/6 after opting to bat first. Yashasvi Jaiswal laid the foundation with a brisk 55 off 36 balls (6 fours, 3 sixes), while Dhruv Jurel anchored the innings with an impressive 75 off 42 balls, including 5 boundaries and 5 maximums. Vaibhav Suryavanshi added late impetus with a quickfire 31 off just 18 balls.

For Gujarat, Kagiso Rabada was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 2/42, while Mohammed Siraj, Ashok Sharma, Prasidh Krishna, and Rashid Khan claimed one wicket each.

Turning Point: Jofra Archer Seals the Deal for Rajasthan Royals

The Gujarat Titans looked down and out at 161/7, but a spirited counterattack from Rashid Khan (24) and Kagiso Rabada (23* ) reignited hopes. The pair stitched together a crucial 43-run stand for the eighth wicket, briefly swinging momentum in Gujarat's favour and putting them within touching distance of victory.

However, the game took a decisive turn in the penultimate over when Jofra Archer delivered a brilliant spell under pressure, conceding just four runs. That tight over shifted the balance back towards the Rajasthan Royals.

Needing 11 runs off the final over, Gujarat's chase faltered. Tushar Deshpande began with a wide but quickly regained control, dismissing Rashid Khan and conceding only three runs off the remaining deliveries. With the equation slipping out of reach, Rajasthan sealed a hard-fought win, as Rabada was ultimately undone by pinpoint yorkers at the death.