POST MATCH – RAJASTHAN ROYALS

What we witnessed tonight was heartbreak, but not humiliation.

To lose yet another playoff battle is painful for every Rajasthan Royals supporter. But let this also be said clearly, this young side did not collapse, did not surrender, and did not fall like a junior team. They fought.

Two hundred and fourteen runs in a playoff match is no small statement. Gujarat Titans chased with authority and deserved the victory, but Rajasthan walked away having battled with courage and intent.

The truth is, this match carried the same question we asked before it began. Could the young shoulders carry the pressure?

And they did.

Our hearts go out to Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Jofra Archer, Donovan Ferreira, Jaddu, and the rest of the squad who fought as one till the very end. Let us forget the dropped catches and remember instead the fight.

As for the stars and senior shoulders who could not step up when it mattered most — that is a conversation each man must have within his own heart.

This team is still young. Still learning. Still searching for its finest chapter. And for RR supporters, hope remains stitched into memory.

We remember Shane Warne, the man who taught Rajasthan to dream beyond reputation and play with fearless belief. That great Warne spirit continues through Kumar Sangakkara, Rahul Dravid, the coaching staff, management, and every member working behind the scenes to keep that vision alive.

Tonight belongs to Gujarat Titans. But Rajasthan leave with something that cannot be measured on a scoreboard, spirit.

Until next season, we say this not in anger, but with affection and faith: Best wishes, Rajasthan Royals. Rest. Rebuild. And return stronger.

We will continue the effort. Please come back.

IPL ELIMINATOR – BIG MATCH, BIG TEST

What we are witnessing is anything but ordinary.

I first thought young Vaibhav Suryavanshi might be just a few-match wonder. Without Sanju Samson, I honestly gave Rajasthan Royals very little chance.

But this boy changed the script.

Along with Jofra Archer and Dhruv Jurel, he has lifted Rajasthan to a completely different level. Rarely have we seen RR play with such freedom and confidence — perhaps not even during the Jos Buttler era.

Vaibhav has carried this side to the final stage of the competition with remarkable calmness and belief. No shake. No fear. Just intent.

Without him, Rajasthan may not have seen another daylight in this IPL.

But now comes the real examination.

Tonight, they face Gujarat Titans — a side on a champion's run despite a slow start and that earlier setback in the eliminator phase. Gujarat have depth, discipline, and the experience of big matches.

And yet, this young man remains the difference.

If Vaibhav survives and dominates through the powerplay, Rajasthan Royals could well run away with this contest. If not, the rest of the side must rise together — bowling, fielding, and fighting as one unit.

Otherwise, Gujarat Titans will be all over them.

The stage is set. The eliminator waits. And somewhere in the middle of all this pressure stands a fearless young boy carrying the hopes of Rajasthan.

Captain Sanju Samson

 Sanju Samson was the hope of millions who for whatever reasons failed to secure a respectable means of income and suffered the humiliation of being second rate in the society. They, as they moved on with life, learned to be good at what ever little opportunity life had brought them through perseverance and hard work. Sanju, the reject from the national team, when he became the captain of the Rajasthan Royal and started showing some hope for these millions of us that a second rate could be the best too with the skills and degrees earned from the university of life. That hope was shattered yesterday, when he failed himself when it mattered most and his team as a whole looked like, well, us playing cricket in the waste dumps and parking lots with not even the slightest hope of making it to even a Panchayat team. It was not at all about losing, it was everything about the way of losing- without a fight.

No bro, we are not disappointed with you or your team, only we realize we are not yet men who carve out their place in the world and we still have miles to go and the energy for that journey should come within ourselves. Never mind our new 10,000 rupee smart phone overheated and used up half of its active life watching you and your team for the inspiration to lift up ourselves from our own littleness in this wonderful world of achievers celebrated by their creators.

Best wishes mate, don’t lose it for yourself, we are still standing!