Rashid Khan’s 4 for 33 Crushes RR as GT Storm to 77-Run Win in IPL 2026

Rashid Khan delivered vintage magic with his bowling figures of 4 for 33 in four overs against Rajasthan Royals during the IPL 2026 clash between GT and RR. The Afghan leg-spinner ripped through the middle order at Sawai Mansingh Stadium on May 9, earning Player of the Match honors and powering Gujarat Titans to a commanding 77-run victory.

The numbers tell only part of the story. Rashid finished with 4-0-33-4 at an economy of 8.25. Three of those wickets came via the bowled dismissal. He hit the stumps repeatedly. That old Rashid rhythm returned in full force.

The Match Unfolded Under Jaipur Lights

GT posted 229 for 4, led by Shubman Gill’s 84 and Sai Sudharsan’s 55. RR needed something special in the chase. They started steadily but collapsed once Rashid entered the attack in the eighth over.

You could almost feel the momentum shift the moment he struck. Dhruv Jurel, looking dangerous on 24 off 9, saw a sharp leg-break peg back his stumps at 7.3 overs. Two balls later, Donovan Ferreira followed, clean bowled. Rashid was on fire.

Shubham Dubey fell at 11.4 overs, again bowled. Ravindra Jadeja, the experienced campaigner, was trapped lbw at 13.5 overs for 38. RR never recovered. They folded for 152 in 16.3 overs.

Why This Spell Stood Out

Analysts noted the precision. Rashid bowled over the wicket to left-handers and attacked the stumps with his leg-break and googly variations. Deep Dasgupta on ESPNcricinfo highlighted it: “It was the old, vintage Rashid today. Almost every delivery was hitting the stumps.”

GT’s other bowlers supported well. Kagiso Rabada took 2 for 33 and Jason Holder cleaned up with 3 for 12. But Rashid’s spell was the decisive blow. It turned a competitive chase into a rout.

Rashid Khan’s Journey Back to Form

This performance carried extra weight. Rashid missed time after back surgery and struggled in 2024 and 2025. He admitted rushing his return cost him rhythm. The 2026 season has looked different. He has rediscovered the fizz and control that made him one of the IPL’s elite spinners.

After the match he said, “I’m much happier than I was in the last two seasons. It’s all thanks to God’s grace.” The smile said everything. The leg-spinner who once terrorized batters worldwide was back tormenting RR’s lineup.

Updated Bowling Figures – Rashid Khan vs RR (May 9, 2026)

Broader Impact on the Season

The spell lifted Rashid into the top 10 all-time IPL wicket-takers, moving him past Lasith Malinga. He now sits on 173 IPL wickets. More importantly, it boosted GT’s campaign. The side moved up the table and kept playoff hopes alive.

RR, despite strong contributions from Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Jadeja, learned a harsh lesson about Rashid’s threat. His variations and accuracy in the middle overs remain unmatched when he finds his lengths.

What This Means Going Forward

GT now heads into the business end of IPL 2026 with renewed confidence in their spin spearhead. Rashid’s return to form gives them a genuine X-factor in the middle overs. RR will need to plan better if these two sides meet again in the playoffs.

The night in Jaipur proved one thing clearly: when Rashid Khan hits his stride, few teams can handle the pressure. GT fans walked away knowing their star spinner had delivered exactly when it mattered most.

Source: Official IPL scorecard via ESPNcricinfo and Cricbuzz, May 9, 2026 match data. All statistics verified against live match reports published May 9-10, 2026.