Aakash Chopra Applauds Ravi Bishnoi's Pivotal Role in Rajasthan Royals' Thrilling Win
Former India cricketer and analyst Aakash Chopra has showered praise on leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi for his game-changing performance in the Rajasthan Royals' narrow six-run victory over the Gujarat Titans in IPL 2026. Chopra emphasized that Bishnoi was significantly undervalued during the auction, asserting he deserved a much higher price than the seven crores he fetched.
Bishnoi's Decisive Spell Turns the Tide
In a high-stakes encounter at Ahmedabad on April 4, the Gujarat Titans, chasing a target of 211, were largely undone by Bishnoi's impactful bowling. The wrist-spinner delivered a crucial spell, returning figures of 4/41 from his four overs. His ability to strike at key moments effectively tilted the match in Rajasthan's favour, showcasing his match-winning capabilities.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra reflected on Bishnoi's auction value and on-field excellence. "Ravi Bishnoi, we were talking at the time of the auction that he was sold very cheaply - seven crores is cheap. He should have got 10-11 crores. He was a brilliant acquisition at seven crores. He picked up four wickets and made the difference in the end because all the important wickets were in his name," Chopra stated, highlighting the spinner's undervalued status and critical contribution.
Deshpande's Nerve Under Pressure Seals the Deal
Chopra also reserved special commendation for Tushar Deshpande, who delivered under immense pressure in the final over to secure the victory for Rajasthan. "Tushar Deshpande came into the team and Brijesh Sharma wasn't there, and what a change in the end because Tushar Deshpande was standing between a win and a loss. Tushar Deshpande executed those yorkers beautifully. Thumbs up with both hands for executing under pressure," he observed.
Deshpande finished with figures of 1/24 in three overs, holding his nerve in the climactic final over. He conceded just four runs while dismissing the dangerous Rashid Khan when Gujarat required 11 runs off the last six balls, demonstrating remarkable composure in a tense situation.
Jurel's Stellar Knock Anchors Rajasthan's Innings
Earlier in the match, Dhruv Jurel played a standout innings, scoring 75 off 42 deliveries to anchor Rajasthan's batting effort. Chopra praised Jurel's maturity, particularly after being promoted to bat at No. 3 this season. "Before that, Dhruv Jurel. They have taken a big call this season to make him bat at No. 3, and he was absolutely stellar. He batted almost till the end. He scored his first Test century at this ground only. Very good guy. I love him to bits. I feel very happy when he does well," Chopra expressed warmly.
Supporting Jurel, openers Vaibhav Suryavanshi (31 off 18) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (55 off 36) provided Rajasthan with a explosive start at the top. Chopra noted, "Then their two openers. In my opinion, Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Yashasvi Jaiswal are the most explosive openers of this league," underscoring their aggressive approach that set a strong foundation.
Chopra Critiques Gujarat's Chase Strategy
On the opposing side, Chopra pointed out shortcomings in Gujarat's chase, suggesting that better planning could have altered the outcome. "GT, this match was yours. There are problems in batting. Shubman Gill's injury, of course, didn't help, but wickets fell at regular intervals. I thought it was a slightly haphazard chase. You could have won this game had you constructed it slightly better," Chopra observed critically.
Despite a solid 73 off 44 from Sai Sudharsan, Gujarat lost momentum after his dismissal. From a commanding position of 107/1 in 10.3 overs, their innings unraveled, allowing Rajasthan to engineer a dramatic turnaround and clinch a memorable victory.
This match highlighted the fine margins in T20 cricket, with individual brilliance from Bishnoi and Jurel proving decisive, as analyzed by Aakash Chopra in his detailed review.
