Rajasthan Royals batsman-wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel came up with a crucial 81* run knock in just 43 deliveries to guide the inaugural season champions to a six-wicket win. The Royals locked horns with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru in a rain-delayed 16th IPL 2026 fixture at Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati. After letting the guests put score on the board first, the Royals were given an above average target of 202 runs for their fourth-consecutive win in the tournament.

In response, the Royals got off to a favorable start, while opening batsman Yashasvi Jaiswal could only contribute 13 runs in eight balls, his fellow opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi took things in his hands. The youngest batting sensation of the Pink brigade put on a stellar show of 78 runs in 26 balls with a combination of eight boundaries and seven sixes. Though the middle order failed to deliver much, Dhruv Jurel stood firm and took the driving seat for the Royals.

He came up with a crucial match-winning knock of 81* runs off 43 balls with a combination of eight boundaries and three maximums, and recorded his highest T20 score. This marked RCB's first defeat of the season, while the Royals recorded their fourth straight win.

Not just me, everyone must have enjoyed it- Dhruv Jurel after winning the match

After the game, Jurel reflected back on the win and said that not only him but everyone in the team must have enjoyed it. He said, “Not just me, everyone must have enjoyed it. Like Vaibhav didn’t bat today, but when he does, it feels like facing someone like Jasprit Bumrah becomes easy. Watching him, it feels like there’s nothing happening in the pitch, so you can take your chances. And today it turned out that way.”

Speaking on his improved batting, he said, “I’ve worked on this last year when I was batting lower down the order. This time, the management gave me an opportunity to bat higher. They told me to just believe in myself, keep playing my shots and not overthink. The game is on me, so just back myself.”

The Royals will now lock horns with the SunRisers Hyderabad at Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Hyderabad on Monday, April 13.