Tushar Deshpande’s yorker mastery seals Gujarat Titans thriller for Rajasthan Royals in 2026

Tushar Deshpande delivered pinpoint yorkers in the final over to secure a six-run win for Rajasthan Royals against Gujarat Titans.

Captain’s sudden call sparks Deshpande’s frustration Rajasthan Royals’ skipper Riyan Parag first asked Tushar Deshpande to bowl the 19th over but then abruptly changed his mind, telling Deshpande to wait so Jofra Archer could bowl instead. Deshpande felt his confidence shaken, especially since he believed yorkers were the perfect weapon in that high-stakes moment. Standing at his bowling mark, he resolved to prove himself when given the chance. Parag later explained that Archer’s raw pace might have been better suited to target the lower-order batsmen, Rashid Khan and Kagiso Rabada. ## Deshpande seizes his moment with precision yorkers After Archer conceded only four runs in his over, Parag handed Deshpande the final over with Rajasthan needing to defend six runs for victory. Deshpande was fired up, telling himself he had to deliver. The Ahmedabad pitch was flat and damp from dew, making slower deliveries risky. He committed to a full yorker plan, starting with a wide yorker to Rabada that umpire called wide. His first legitimate delivery was also a full toss, which Rabada turned into a single. ## Calculated aggression shuts down Gujarat Titans Deshpande stuck to his yorker strategy, using width to push third man back. Rashid Khan, facing the third ball, opened his bat but could only scamper a single. Another yorker to Rabada produced another single, followed by a dot ball. On the fifth delivery, Rashid swung wildly over cover and was caught at deep point. Deshpande then bowled a dot ball on the final ball, sealing a six-run victory when Titans needed six to force a Super Over. ## Domestic grind sharpens Deshpande’s IPL edge Deshpande joined Rajasthan Royals in the 2025 mega auction after ankle surgery. In his first season, he managed nine wickets in ten games as Royals finished ninth. He admits feeling unprepared and vowed to refine his craft. Over the off-season, he focused on perfecting yorkers, working on them in domestic cricket for Mumbai across white-ball and first-class formats. In the Ranji Trophy, he took 25 wickets in 15 innings at 25.76, dominating with yorkers and variations. ## Role clarity boosts Deshpande’s confidence Royals gave Deshpande clearer role boundaries this season, tasking him to close the powerplay, bowl one in the middle overs, and bowl at the death. This stability helped him gain confidence. Previously at Chennai Super Kings, he was often shifted around, sometimes bowling two overs in powerplay and two at death. The CSK management, including Eric Simons and Dwayne Bravo, pushed him to simplify his plans, which eventually led to his India debut two years ago. ## Last-minute swap leaves Deshpande unfazed In a match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Guwahati, Deshpande was told on match day after the toss that he would be replaced by uncapped fast bowler Brijesh Sharma. The decision stemmed from the slow, low pitch where change of pace was seen as more effective. Deshpande accepted the tactical change, believing in team goals over personal disappointment. He praised Brijesh’s performance as Royals won, and refused to let the swap disrupt his mindset or bowling rhythm. ## Deshpande hungry for more India chances Deshpande turns 31 soon and recently became a father, splitting his IPL days off to spend time with his four-month-old son in Mumbai. He remains focused on earning more India caps, having played two T20Is in Zimbabwe in 2024. His ankle surgery sidelined him from contention for the national team. Earlier in 2026, he attended a three-day fast-bowling camp at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru with Zaheer Khan, working on first-class bowling. He insists consistent performances are his only path back. ## Self-belief fuels Deshpande’s comeback quest Deshpande admits he craves more India opportunities but knows only results matter. He has played five of Royals’ ten matches so far this IPL. His goal remains clear: he expects to return to the national team and eventually pick up 100 wickets for India. Deshpande says he has always believed in his ability to make it back. ‘Since I made my first-class debut, my goal of picking up 100 wickets for India has always been there,’ he says. ‘I always have the self-belief that I will make it again. That is my expectation from myself.’