Written by Intern Rency Gomes || Team Allycaral
Goa, January 28, 2026 – A run-fest at the World Legends Pro T20 League 2026 lived up to expectations as Dubai Royals edged out Gurugram Thunders by three runs in a pulsating fourth match of the tournament.
Batting first, Dubai Royals posted a commanding 200 for 5 in their 20 overs, becoming the first team in the league to breach the 200-run mark. The innings was anchored by Samit Patel, who produced a match-defining unbeaten knock of 65 off just 32 balls, blending clean hitting with intelligent placement. Ambati Rayudu chipped in with a fluent 45 off 27 deliveries as the Royals maintained momentum throughout the innings.
Despite the onslaught, Gurugram Thunders showed resilience with the ball. Thisara Perera delivered a disciplined spell, finishing with figures of 2 overs for 24 runs, while the bowling unit regrouped in the death overs to prevent further damage.
In reply, Gurugram Thunders mounted a spirited chase, driven by an exceptional innings from Cheteshwar Pujara. Displaying attacking intent, Pujara registered his first half-century of the tournament and went on to score a sublime 99, striking at over 100. He found strong support from Thisara Perera, whose explosive unbeaten 56 off 27 balls kept the chase alive till the final moments.
With seven runs required off the last over, veteran leg-spinner Piyush Chawla held his nerve, dismissing Pujara just one short of a century and conceding only three runs to seal a dramatic victory for Dubai Royals. The Thunders eventually finished on 195 for 7, falling agonisingly short once again.
The win marked Dubai Royals’ first victory of the season after an opening-day defeat, while Gurugram Thunders endured their second narrow loss of the tournament.
Brief Scores
Dubai Royals: 200/5
Samit Patel 65 (32), Ambati Rayudu 45 (27)
Stuart Broad 2/17 (3 overs), Saurin Thakar 1/26 (3 overs)
Gurugram Thunders: 195/7
Cheteshwar Pujara 99 (60), Thisara Perera 56* (27)
Piyush Chawla 3/35 (4 overs), Samit Patel 2/16 (4 overs)
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