Watch: IPL 2026: Shimron Hetmyer's superb catch dismisses Kumar Kushagra for 18 vs GT

When the Rajasthan Royals (RR) crossed the 200-run mark during their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 clash against the Gujarat Titans at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, it was supposed to be a good defense for the visitors, who came into the clash off their opening victory against the Chennai Super Kings. 

Meanwhile, the question was also on the opening batter of the Titans, Shubman Gill, who was out of the contest with an injury. That pushed the management to inject the youngster, Kumar Kushagra, into the opening spot along with Sai Sudharsan.

Shimron Hetmyer’s sharp catch dismisses Kumar Kushagra in IPL 2026

On the sixth and final delivery of the eighth over, Rajasthan’s Shimron Hetmyer displayed a fine fielding performance with a catch every close to the boundary rope to send back Kushagra for 18 runs off 14 balls with the help of three boundaries.

Watch the video here: 

It was a flighted delivery from Riyan Parag, the RR captain, who introduced himself into the attack, and he drew the first blood with the wicket. KK got under his flighted delivery and lofted it high towards the long-on region, but just when it seemed like a six, Hetmyer, despite being so close to the ropes, held his nerve.

The West Indies player grabbed the catch, released the ball before going over the ropes, and came back to complete the catch as the batter was disappointed as he looked at the replay.

Sai Sudharsan blows away GT ealry in chase

On the first delivery of the chase, GT was rewarded a lucky five wides before Sai Sudharsan leaped against Jofra Archer’s short ball to cross the rope. He went under the short ball from the England pacer and cut it aerially over the point region for another thrilling boundary.

See Also: Watch: IPL 2026: Ashok Sharma breathes fire with consistent 150 kmph deliveries vs RR

On the fourth delivery of the eighth over, the left-handed batter celebrated his 13th fifty of the IPL, which became his seventh T20 fifty in Ahmedabad. He drilled the full toss over the midwicket region for a long six as he was finally dismissed for 73 runs in 44 balls, thanks to nine boundaries and three sixes.

Rajasthan Royals reached 112/2 in 11 overs in the chase of 210, which was powered by the twin half-centuries from Yashasvi Jaiswal and Dhruv Jurel.

Brief Scores: GT 145/5 (Sai Sudharsan 73, Ravi Bishnoi 3/15) vs RR 210/6 (Dhruv Jurel 75, Yashasvi Jaiswal 55, Kagiso Rabada 2/42)