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A Return to Supremacy
The Gujarat Titans (GT) have long been a franchise that places immense pressure on their primary strike bowlers to deliver results, regardless of whether they are bowling first or defending a total. However, it is rare to witness their two marquee stars firing in perfect synchronization as they did this past Saturday night. With Kagiso Rabada returning figures of 2 for 33 from three overs and Player of the Match Rashid Khan claiming 4 for 33 from four, the Rajasthan Royals (RR) found themselves entirely overwhelmed. A combined 6 for 66 from seven overs effectively took the game away from the opposition.
The Vintage Return of Rashid Khan
Rashid Khan has solidified his status as an IPL icon, now climbing to 10th on the tournament’s all-time wicket-taker list, surpassing the legendary Lasith Malinga. Yet, his path to this season was paved with adversity. Following two underwhelming campaigns in 2024 and 2025—where he recorded ten wickets at an economy of 8.40 and nine wickets at 9.35 respectively—questions were being asked about his form. Rashid attributed those struggles to an rushed recovery following back surgery.
This year, however, the narrative has shifted. With 15 wickets in 11 innings and an economy rate of 8.26, the Afghan spinner looks menacing once more. Cricket analysts have noted that Rashid has returned to his vintage best, where his accuracy is nothing short of lethal. A significant portion of his deliveries are once again hitting the stumps, a hallmark of his peak years. When Rashid bowls over the wicket to left-handers and targets the stumps, he remains one of the most dangerous bowlers in world cricket.
Rabada’s Ascent to the Purple Cap
While Rashid walked away with the match honors, Kagiso Rabada has quietly ascended to the top of the Purple Cap leaderboard. With 18 wickets for the season, including 14 in his last seven outings, Rabada is experiencing a career renaissance. Mitchell McClenaghan, who consulted with the South African pacer before the tournament, believes this surge is the direct result of intense preparation.
After three difficult seasons where he struggled with his economy rate, Rabada made a conscious decision to reinvent his conditioning. Working with a top-tier sprint coach in South Africa, he has returned to the field faster and more explosive than ever. His performance against the Royals was a testament to this, with his 152.1kph delivery to dismiss Yashasvi Jaiswal highlighting his terrifying pace. By removing both Jaiswal and Shimron Hetmyer within the powerplay, Rabada proved that he is not just a Test match specialist, but a formidable T20 force.
Motivation and Elite Mindset
The fire driving Rabada this season stems from a deeper desire to be recognized as a T20 powerhouse, rather than just a red-ball specialist. Having endured time on the sidelines and inconsistent performances in international World Cups, Rabada is a man with a point to prove. As McClenaghan noted, he is a proud athlete who refused to accept his recent dip in form. When a competitor of Rabada’s caliber decides to commit fully to a task, he becomes an unstoppable force.
For the Gujarat Titans, having two world-class operators back in form provides a massive boost as the tournament progresses. If the duo continues to bowl in tandem with this level of intensity, the rest of the league will have a mountain to climb to stop the GT momentum.
