JAIPUR, India: Gujarat Titans celebrated ending Rajasthan Royals’ IPL four-match winning streak in a nail-biting thriller to win by three wickets on Wednesday.
While Rajasthan cling on to their table-topping position above Kolkata Knight Riders, the Titans clawed their way back to a dramatic victory in the final five overs, needing 73 off the final 30 balls.
The pressure fell on the shoulders of bowling all-rounder Rashid Khan from Afghanistan to win the match on the final ball — thumping it to the boundary for four to end on top with 199-7.
“You just have to be positive,” Rashid said. “The more positive you are thinking inside, the better the result comes out.”
Asked where the Royals had lost, skipper Sanju Samson laughed and said “the last ball of the game,” adding it was “very hard” to speak after the defeat.
But he still handed out praise for the Titans’ play.
“You have to give credit to the Gujarat Titans, to the way they batted, bowled and fielded,” Samson said.
Rajasthan had looked confident going into the game, after being invited to bat first at their home ground of Jaipur.
After initial wobbles, with Yashasvi Jaiswal caught on 24, and England’s Jos Buttler going for eight, 22-year-old Riyan Parag helped build a daunting total.
He celebrated his third fifty in five innings, this time in a knock off 34 balls.
Parag fell for 74 to a juggled but successful catch by Vijay Shankar.
But Samson, who made 68, and Shimron Hetmyer, unbeaten on 13, guided Rajasthan to 196-3 — keeping their hopes that they were heading for their fifth straight victory alive.
As Gujarat came into bat, the Royals seemed to have taken charge, with the chase crumbling as speedster Kuldeep Sen ripped through the Titans’ top order, posting figures of 3-41.
Sen trapped Sai Sudharsan lbw for 35 before bowling Matthew Wade and Abhinav Manohar cheaply.
“We lost a few wickets back-to-back,” said Gujarat’s Sudharsan. “But we had belief and we won the game.”
Skipper Shubman Gill made 72 to push Gujarat’s total up before being stumped, while Rahul Tewatia made 22 before he was run out.
But it was Rashid who brought the Titans across the winning threshold, making 24 in the frantic final balls.
“This victory was much-needed for us and gives us momentum,” Sudharsan added. “Hopefully we play a few more good games and have a good season.”
Gujarat end Rajasthan’s winning streak with IPL thriller
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Gujarat end Rajasthan’s winning streak with IPL thriller
- Pressure fell on the shoulders of bowling all-rounder Rashid Khan from Afghanistan to win the match on the final ball — thumping it to the boundary for four to end on top with 199-7
- Sanju Samson, who made 68, and Shimron Hetmyer, unbeaten on 13, guided Rajasthan to 196-3 — keeping their hopes that they were heading for their fifth straight victory alive
Talwar leads on opening day of 2025 Saudi Open
- The 26-year-old from Delhi set a new course record of 8-under 64 at Dirab Golf & Country Club
RIYADH: India’s Saptak Talwar opened the first day of the 2025 Saudi Open, sanctioned by the Asian Tour, with a new course record of 64 (8-under) after finishing his round with a birdie on the final hole in fading light at the Dirab Golf & Country Club.
The 26-year-old from Delhi, who has competed in only a handful of Asian Tour events since turning professional in 2021, delivered a flawless round that included four birdies on each nine, placing him at the top of the leaderboard.
In second place are American John Catlin, the defending champion and reigning Asian Tour Order of Merit winner, and Australia’s Jack Thompson, both carding 65.
Meanwhile, rising Moroccan talent Adam Bresnu stole the spotlight as the leading Arab player on the opening day, after a strong performance that placed him firmly in contention.
Despite still being an amateur, Bresnu exemplified the Arab Golf Federation’s vision of creating clear pathways for regional talent to reach the highest levels of the professional game.
Through its partnership with the Arab Golf Federation, Golf Saudi is expanding high-level opportunities for amateur and professional Arab players.
Bresnu said: “The conditions were really good. What I liked most about the course was how firm the greens and fairways were. The greens are excellent, and I’m really happy to be here.”
“I’ll keep the same mindset. Patience is the main goal,” he added. “It’s a four-round tournament, day by day, shot by shot. My goal is simply to enjoy playing.”
Saudi Arabia players are still in contention as they progress into day two.
Shergo Al-Kurdi said: “Representing the Kingdom is amazing, the crowd support is definitely a big one. In general just being in Saudi, I always enjoy my time here and just want to perform the best I can. It’s a good place to have a nice week.”
He added: “The amount of support Saudi gives to their players is absolutely fantastic and it’s what golfers need to get into a higher level of golf. It is what is needed and they are prepared to do it. It’s very good what they’re doing.”
