IPL: Tushar Deshpande’s yorkers seal the deal for RR in IPL 2026’s first proper thriller as they go top of the table

An unlikely candidate answered that query in some style on a crackling Saturday in Ahmedabad. Tushar Deshpande, in the final over. Not Jasprit Bumrah, not a seasoned death bowler with a cupboard full of big-match memories. Deshpande, who has had his share of expensive evenings, who knows what it feels like when the ball doesn’t go where you tell it to. Who has been hit. Who has come back.

The defining moment 👊

🎥 @rajasthanroyals clinch a #TATAIPL classic by 6⃣ runs to jump to the 🔝 of the points table 👏

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— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 4, 2026

GT had looked out of the contest after Bishnoi hustled out four victims with his whippy sliders and googlies. Then Rashid and Rabada seized the game back. Both played in their characteristic way — Rashid as inventive as ever, Rabada as traditional as ever. Rashid went square, Rabada pinged the V. It came down to 11 from the final over.

RR had earlier ridden their openers and a fine 75 from Dhruv Jurel to reach 210 for 6. Gujarat had cruised to 100 through Sai Sudarshan’s marvellous hand, then Bishnoi struck. Now Rabada and Rashid had clawed it back. The way their stand had gone — so calmly, so rationally, one boundary away from completing the chase — one felt this was done. Parag had options. Nandre Burger was probably at the top of that list. He threw the ball to Deshpande.

Here is where Zaheer’s question floated in the air. No use bowling length — Rabada can get the ball thrown back from the boundary and Rashid can swat it square on either side. Slower balls were risky with only 11 needed and neither batsman showing any sign of nerves. So it was going to be yorkers. But which kind? Wide outside off was dangerous — Rabada has the height and the reach, Rashid has the flexible rubber wrists to slice and steer them. It was a question of nerve as much as skill.

Deshpande went for conventional yorkers — especially after he hurled the first one wide outside off and conceded a run. Without guts, no glory. Perhaps that’s why Parag gave him the ball.

Rashid tried to rush across towards off and bunt it to fine leg or slice it away briskly, but couldn’t connect as he wanted. Rabada tried to swing through the V, could only dig them out. It came down to 7 from 2, after a yorker screeched past Rashid’s flail through to the keeper.

Then Deshpande missed his length — a full ball outside off. But it was at least to the right batsman. Not Rabada. Rashid.

Rashid had his chance when the equation read 7 from 2. Rashid can make even the most adventurous street cricketer gasp. What makes it worth watching isn’t the power. It’s the economy. There is a slight crouch, a cocked wrist, and then the wrist does the work — the same wrist that does his bowling, only now in the other direction.

Turning the tide 🌊

🎥 Ravi Bishnoi’s double strike that swung the momentum @rajasthanroyals‘ way ☝️☝️

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— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 4, 2026

“One ball he missed the yorker, I should have hit for six,” Rashid would say. Instead he sliced it up to the right of sweeper cover. Jofra Archer rushed along the boundary line and lunged to take a neat grab under pressure — stood there, arms aloft, soaking up the applause, waiting for his teammates to mob him.

One more yorker on the final ball sealed it. And soon that lovely blissful expression settled on Deshpande, who kept walking here and there on the outfield, soaking in the moment.

Zaheer asked, Deshpande answered it.

Brief scores: Rajasthan Royals: 210/6 (Dhruv Jurel 75, Yashasvi Jaiswal 55, Kagiso Rabada 2/42) beat Gujarat Titans 204/8 (Sai Sudharsan 73, Ravi Bishnoi 4/41) by 6 runs