The unbeaten streak in IPL 2024 came to an end as Rajasthan Royals faced their first defeat against Gujarat Titans on Wednesday. Despite four consecutive wins, the Royals couldn’t secure victory in their fifth match, which turned out to be a nail-biting thriller in Jaipur. Rashid Khan’s boundary on the last ball of the match sealed the deal for Gujarat Titans, chasing down a formidable 197-run target set by Rajasthan Royals.
Following the intense clash, Royals’ captain Sanju Samson left commentators stunned with his response when asked about the turning point of the game. “I think the last ball of the game,” Samson replied, prompting surprise from the commentator. He further expressed the challenge of pinpointing the exact moment of loss amidst the emotional intensity of defeat, acknowledging the skill and determination of the Gujarat Titans.
Reflecting on the match, Samson highlighted the competitiveness of the IPL, emphasising the need to learn and move forward. Despite posting what he considered a winning score of 196, he credited the Titans for their remarkable comeback and noted the difficulty of bowling in the absence of dew in Jaipur.
In a remarkable display of resilience, Gujarat Titans chased down the target with just one ball to spare, courtesy of stellar performances from Shubman Gill, Rahul Tewatia, and Rashid Khan. Avesh Khan’s final over drama set the stage for Rashid’s match-winning boundary, sealing a thrilling victory for the Titans and ending Rajasthan Royals’ unbeaten run in the tournament.
