Rabada and Rashid Shine as Gujarat Titans Dominate with Ball

Rabada and Rashid Fire in Unison to Rip Through Rajasthan Royals

When Gujarat Titans (GT) needed a statement performance, their two marquee bowlers delivered in devastating fashion. On a Saturday night under the IPL lights, Kagiso Rabada and Rashid Khan didn’t just take wickets — they sent a message. Their combined spell of 6 for 66 from seven overs dismantled Rajasthan Royals (RR) and reaffirmed GT’s status as serious title contenders in IPL 2026.

Rashid Khan Roars Back to Vintage Form

Rashid Khan, the man of the match, was announced as Player of the Match after finishing with figures of 4 for 33 from his four overs. This wasn’t just another economical spell — it was a throwback to the days when Rashid was virtually unplayable in T20 cricket.

With 15 wickets in 11 innings at an economy rate of 8.26 this season, Rashid has silenced doubts following two underwhelming campaigns in 2024 and 2025. Then, he managed only 10 and 9 wickets respectively, with economy rates creeping above 8.40. But this year, something has clicked.

As former cricketer Deep Dasgupta noted on ESPNcricinfo’s TimeOut: “Let’s see the [Shubham] Dubey wicket, [bowled] from over the wicket [to a left-hand batter]. If he gets the ball to turn from outside off stump or off stump and hitting middle or off, that’s a really good delivery.”

Dasgupta added: “It was the old, vintage Rashid today… three bowled, one leg before — and if you look at his beehive, you’ll find a very high percentage of those deliveries were hitting the stumps. That’s Rashid Khan at his best.”

Rabada’s Relentless Pace and Precision

While Rashid claimed the spotlight on the scorecard, Kagiso Rabada’s role was equally pivotal. Returning figures of 2 for 33 from three overs, Rabada dismissed two of RR’s most dangerous batters — Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shimron Hetmyer — during the powerplay.

Jaiswal was undone by a sharp, 152.1 kph delivery that lifted just outside off stump, forcing a mistimed swipe. Hetmyer fell to a nearly identical ball. Both dismissals showcased Rabada’s trademark precision and hostility — a far cry from his modest returns over the past three IPL seasons, where he took just 20 wickets in 21 matches with economy rates peaking at 11.57.

The Making of a Comeback

Mitchell McClenaghan, who worked closely with Rabada ahead of the tournament, credited his transformation to intense preparation. “He’s come to the point where he realises that his T20 game, particularly in the IPL, hasn’t been where he would like it,” McClenaghan said.

Rabada reportedly hired a sprint coach connected to one of South Africa’s top sprinters, focusing heavily on conditioning and explosiveness. The results are evident: Rabada is bowling faster and with greater control than in recent memory.

“This is probably the best condition I’ve seen KG Rabada in,” McClenaghan added. “He’s bowling rapid. He is bowling exceptionally well.”

A New Peak in the IPL Fast-Bowling Race

With 18 wickets this season, Rabada now leads the Purple Cap race. McClenaghan believes Rabada has even overtaken Jofra Archer as the premier fast bowler in this year’s tournament.

“At the start, we were asking — who’s the top quick between Jofra Archer and KG Rabada? I think KG has pushed past him tonight,” he said. “He wanted to go mano a mano, prove who’s the best in the IPL at the moment.”

The motivation, McClenaghan explained, goes beyond statistics. Rabada, long respected in Test and ODI cricket, is determined to be seen as elite in T20s too — especially after limited impact in recent World Cups and IPL seasons.

“He’s a very proud man,” McClenaghan said. “When he switches his mind on to a task and wants to compete, you can’t stop this guy.”

A Fearsome Duo at the Peak of Their Powers

When Rashid Khan bowls with stump-hitting accuracy and Rabada fires at express pace with pinpoint control, Gujarat Titans possess one of the most dangerous bowling combinations in the IPL. Their performance on Saturday wasn’t just effective — it was dominant.

With both bowlers peaking at the same time, GT fans can dare to dream. This isn’t just a revival — it’s a resurgence.”