That ankle twist didn’t stop Shubman Gill mid-swing. The Gujarat Titans skipper kept swinging, even after hurting it during his sharp 84 runs from just 44 deliveries. Pain aside, he stayed grounded, helping his side crush the Rajasthan Royals by 77 runs, in latest cricket news.

Starting strong, Gill carved out a smooth fifty, mixing grace and power through nine fours and three towering hits over the ropes. Though he paused mid-innings, rubbing his left foot, the rhythm never fully broke. His stay at bat steadied the team’s effort when things wavered slightly. This score brought up his fifth fifty in recent matches, another steady mark in a season of consistent returns.

“You Have to Keep Taking Wickets” - Shubman Gill highlights aggressive bowling mindset

Batsman Gill found strong support early on, teaming up with Sai Sudharsan, whose quick 55 off just 36 balls fueled their charge. Their opening stand stretched to 118 runs, building firm groundwork under pressure. Gujarat Titans ended at a tough-to-beat 229 for four after winning the toss and choosing to bat. Every run counted as the pair disrupted the bowling rhythm from the start.

Rajasthan Royals, bowled out for 152 in only 16.3 overs. Rashid Khan led the charge, picking up 4 wickets for 33 runs. Into the attack stepped Jason Holder, finishing with 3 for 12, wrapping up a dominant win.

“While taking a run, I think I twisted my ankle a little bit. It was painful, but after half an hour or so, it settled down,” Gill said during the post-match presentation.

That match stood out, said the Gujarat captain, calling it their fullest effort yet this year.
“Even before this match, we spoke about not having played a perfect game yet. This was a clean win for us. We probably got 10-15 runs extra because it wasn’t easy to hit boundaries against the spinners,” he said.

Early pressure matters most, Gill pointed out, which is why Siraj and Rabada saw so much action when the ball was new. Bowling first isn’t just a habit - it shapes how the game unfolds from the start.

The plan is to keep batsmen off balance right away. Fresh bowlers help that happen. Powerplays aren’t about caution; they’re openings to strike. That mindset drove the choices. New ball moments often decide momentum later. Using both pacers early wasn’t random; timing made it necessary.

“If we take wickets upfront, it gives bowlers more opportunities to attack through the middle overs. You have to keep taking wickets - there’s no other way,” he added.

Back in form, Rashid Khan expressed quiet satisfaction at finding his groove again. Not long ago, injuries had slowed him through two tough seasons. This performance meant more than just numbers. A steady return brought its own rewards. Little by little, belief crept back into his game. Moments like this settle doubts. The field felt familiar once more.

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“This season is more about enjoying myself and consistently hitting the right areas,” Rashid said. “After surgery, I rushed back too quickly, which was a mistake. Last year, after the IPL, I took time off to work on my fitness and rhythm.”

Fresh off the field, he sensed the air would help his spin right away. “The moment I bowled the first ball, I knew there was something in the pitch for me. I wanted to vary the pace while consistently bowling in the right areas,” he explained.

What stood out to Rashid was how much he gained from working alongside other spin bowlers in Gujarat, Sai Kishore most of all.

“Modern cricket demands more variations. Sai Kishore has been working hard on his variations and his wrongs. I’m looking forward to seeing that in matches,” he said.

Falling short in every area, Rajasthan Royals’ leader Yashasvi Jaiswal saw how the Gujarat Titans played better throughout the match.
“We were trying to bowl in good areas and reduce boundaries, but they batted really well,” Jaiswal said.

Backing Jofra Archer despite an off day, Jaiswal added, “Some days things don’t go the way you want. He has been excellent for us, and I’m sure he will bounce back strongly.”