In a dazzling display of talent, the Rajasthan Royals (RR) secured a stunning eight-wicket victory over the Gujarat Titans (GT) at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on April 28, 2025. The match, part of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, witnessed a remarkable performance by 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who not only scored his maiden IPL century but did so in record time, achieving the feat in just 35 balls.
The Royals, chasing a formidable target of 210 runs, reached their goal in a mere 15.5 overs, propelled by Suryavanshi's explosive batting. His innings of 101 runs off just 38 balls included an astonishing 8 sixes and 5 fours, making him the youngest batter in T20 history to score a century. Suryavanshi's record-breaking century is now the second-fastest in IPL history, trailing only Chris Gayle's legendary 30-ball ton from 2013.
Joining Suryavanshi in the chase was Yashasvi Jaiswal, who played a crucial supporting role with an unbeaten half-century, contributing 70 runs to the total. The duo's partnership was instrumental in turning the match around for the Royals, who had been struggling earlier in the season with only two wins from nine games.
As the match progressed, the Royals' batting display was nothing short of sensational. They finished the powerplay with a staggering total of 87 runs without losing a wicket, leaving the Titans in desperate need of breakthroughs. Suryavanshi's aggressive approach set the tone early, as he smashed a six over long-on off the very first ball he faced from Mohammed Siraj.
In contrast, the Gujarat Titans, who had been performing well this season, posted a competitive total of 209 runs in their innings. The Titans' innings was anchored by their captain Shubman Gill, who scored a solid 84 runs off 50 balls. Gill's innings was marked by aggressive stroke play, including several massive sixes, as he and Sai Sudharsan (39 runs off 30 balls) put together a formidable opening partnership that saw GT reach 92 runs without loss at one point.
Despite the Titans' strong start, their inability to maintain momentum in the latter half of the innings proved costly. The Royals' bowlers, led by Maheesh Theekshana, managed to contain the run flow and take wickets at crucial intervals, eventually restricting GT to 209 runs. Theekshana's efforts included dismissing Sudharsan and later taking the prized wicket of Gill, who attempted to accelerate the scoring rate but ended up getting caught near the boundary.
With this victory, the Rajasthan Royals not only ended their five-match winless streak but also climbed up to eighth place in the IPL points table, now with six points from ten matches. The win was a much-needed boost for Riyan Parag's side, who have been under pressure to perform this season.
In the aftermath of the match, Sai Sudharsan of the Titans reclaimed the Orange Cap, awarded to the top run-scorer in the tournament, with a total of 456 runs. His performance against the Royals, though not enough to secure a win, kept him ahead of Virat Kohli, who is close behind with 443 runs.
Meanwhile, the Purple Cap for the leading wicket-taker remained with Josh Hazlewood of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, who has been in fine form throughout the season. The IPL 2025 points table now shows Royal Challengers Bengaluru leading with 14 points, followed by Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Titans, both with 12 points.
The Rajasthan Royals' victory was a testament to their resilience and ability to rise to the occasion when it mattered most. As the tournament progresses, they will look to build on this momentum and push for a playoff spot, while the Gujarat Titans will need to regroup quickly to maintain their position in the top tier of the standings.
Fans and analysts alike are now eagerly anticipating the next round of matches, as the IPL continues to deliver thrilling cricket and unexpected twists. With young talents like Suryavanshi making headlines, the future of the league looks bright.
