Former India cricketer Ravi Shastri praised Rajasthan Royals (RR) captain Riyan Parag after the win against Gujarat Titans (GT) in Ahmedabad. Parag made bold bowling decisions in the final two overs that helped Rajasthan Royals defend their score at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Saturday, April 4.
Rajasthan Royals won over Gujarat Titans by six runs. The home team needed 15 runs from the last 12 balls, with Rashid Khan and Kagiso Rabada at the crease. The RR captain chose Jofra Archer to bowl the 19th over in place of Tushar Deshpande. The English fast bowler gave only four runs.
You have balls of steel – Ravi Shastri on Riyan Parag
Ravi Shastri called it one of the best games in IPL history on social media. The cricketer turned commentator said that Riyan Parag has a strong future in leadership roles for Rajasthan Royals and the India national cricket team.
“Easily one of the best games in @IPL history. Store it! @Paragarian, you have balls of steel and a big future ahead, especially in a leadership role. Excellent temperament. Well played!” Shastri wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter).
easily one of the best games @IPL History. Archive it! @paragarian You have balls of steel and a big future, especially in a leadership role. Excellent nature. very nice! Long live IPL! @RajasthanRoyals #GTvsRR #IPL2026 pic.twitter.com/Zc3mi0blak
– Ravi Shastri (@RaviShastriOfc) 4 April 2026
Really impressed with Riyan Parag’s leadership – Irfan Pathan
Former fast bowler Irfan Pathan was also impressed by the bowling changes made by Riyan Parag. Pathan said that supporting an experienced fast bowler like Joffra Archer in the last over turned the game against the Gujarat Titans batsmen.
“Really impressed with Riyan Parag’s leadership here. It was a big challenge to decide whether Archer would bowl the 19th ball or the last and he did it. Backed up a more experienced bowler with pace in the last over, and it completely sealed the game. That’s where matches are won.”
Really impressed with Riyan Parag’s leadership here. It was a big challenge to decide whether Archer would bowl the 19th ball or the last and he did it well.
The pacer favored the more experienced bowler in the final over and this resulted in the game being completely shut down (just 4 runs). This is where the matches take place…
– Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) 4 April 2026
Parag has played over 80 matches for Rajasthan Royals since his debut in the 2019 season. He has scored over 1,500 runs for the franchise, including 573 runs in the 2024 season. Parag has become a reliable middle-order batsman and captain.
Tushar Deshpande defended 11 runs in the last over.
In Ahmedabad, Riyan Parag won the toss and decided to bat first. Yashasvi Jaiswal scored 55 runs and Vaibhav Suryavanshi scored 31 runs. They made an opening partnership of 70 runs. Dhruv Jurel scored the highest 75 runs on 42 balls. Rajasthan Royals scored 210 runs in 20 overs.
Sai Sudarshan scored 73 runs for Gujarat Titans. Ravi Bishnoi took four wickets for 41 runs to stop the run chase. Joffra Archer revealed that Tushar Deshpande had to bowl the 19th over first. Riyan Parag changed his mind and bowled Archer to stop Rashid Khan.
Tushar Deshpande bowled the last over when Gujarat needed 11 runs. Deshpande bowled yorkers continuously and gave only five runs. He dismissed Rashid Khan during the over. Gujarat Titans finished with 204/8, losing the Indian Premier League match.
Rajasthan Royals will next face Mumbai Indians in Guwahati on April 7, while Gujarat Titans will take on Delhi Capitals in Delhi on April 8. RR are on top of the points table, while GT are at seventh place after consecutive losses.
Also read: Mukesh Kumar took a brilliant catch, surprised Mumbai Indians by dismissing Tilak Verma, Ryan Rickelton in the same over.