HIGHLIGHTS Gujarat Titans vs Rajasthan Royals IPL 2026 Match Qualifier 2 - Result, Scorecard

We are back for the all-important run chase! The players of the Rajasthan Royals have taken their respective fielding spots. Sai Sudharsan and Shubman Gill are the two GT openers. Both couldn't do much in the first Qualifier, and would like to redeem themselves this time around. Now then, RR have decided to use their Impact Sub by bringing in Tushar Deshpande while Yashasvi Jaiswal is subbed out. Jofra Archer to steam in for the first over. A slip in place. Here we go again...

... THE RUN CHASE ...

Titans let key moments slip again - Gujarat Titans will be disappointed as they once again failed to make their key moments count. Mohammed Siraj and Kagiso Rabada struck early in the Powerplay and the short-ball plan against Vaibhav Sooryavanshi initially looked effective. Titans also fought back well through the middle overs, with Jason Holder’s 2/27 leading the charge. But Sai Sudharsan dropping Vaibhav on 46 proved costly as Sooryavanshi made them pay with a stunning knock before Rabada finally removed him on 96. Shubman Gill trusted Rashid Khan with the final over, but the spinner conceded 27 runs, leaving Titans with a daunting chase.

A quick chat - GT's Kagiso Rabada slips on the Purple Cap before a chat with Harsha Bhogle. He reckons there was a little bit in the wicket for the bowlers and describes the bounce as being somewhat tennis-ball-like. Rabada believes the key was adapting quickly to the conditions and adds that the more a bowler misses their line and length, the lower their chances of taking wickets become. When asked if it was a two-paced wicket, Rabada says not significantly so, adding that the ball came onto the bat quite decently. Stresses that GT will still have to bat well and put together a few strong partnerships if they are to chase this down.

Sooryavanshi dazzles as Royals rally late - Rajasthan Royals were jolted early with a couple of quick wickets, but Ravindra Jadeja used all his experience to launch a counterattack alongside Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Just when the innings seemed to settle, Jadeja was forced to retire hurt, triggering a collapse as the Royals slipped from 101/2 to 118/5. Amid the chaos, Vaibhav continued to take the attack to the bowlers, making full use of a reprieve to hammer a stunning 96 off 47 balls. Jadeja later returned to provide much-needed stability with a crucial contribution, before Donovan Ferreira's explosive 38* off just 11 deliveries gave the Royals a late surge that could prove decisive.

Royals edge ahead after chaotic batting effort - A strange batting display from Rajasthan Royals, one that had a bit of everything - early wickets, retirements due to injury, and Gujarat Titans fighting their way back into the contest. But once again, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi stole the show with a mature knock beyond his years, narrowly missing out on a century while keeping the Royals afloat. Just when Titans seemed to have pulled things back, Donovan Ferreira's four sixes in the final over gave Rajasthan a late boost and perhaps a slight edge at the break.

Rashid Khan to Donovan Ferreira, SIX! RAJASTHAN ROYALS FINISH ON 214/6! Rashid tries to keep it away from the batter's hitting arc and serves it far outside off, on a fuller length. Donovan Ferreira reaches out for it by pressing low in front and smashes it mercilessly over long off for a cracking six. A very forgetful evening for Rashid with the ball. 27 runs from the final over, and that has taken the Royals to a really competitive total on this surface.

Rashid Khan to Donovan Ferreira, At 95.2 kph, around off on a fuller length. Donovan Ferreira gets crouched and hits it with all his might but gets it off the toe end. The ball goes flat to the bowler and Rashid Khan sticks out his right hand to pluck the ball, but ends up parrying it down to long off for a couple of runs.

Mini conference time! Jason Holder, Rashid Khan, and skipper Shubman Gill are all in conversation. Maybe taking a bit of time is the best thing to do for the Titans.

Rashid Khan to Donovan Ferreira, SIX! Rashid has been taken to the cleaners and Ferreira is absolutely flying. A bit of a long-hop by Khan, on the stumps. Donovan Ferreira picks the bones out of it and spanks it over long off for half a dozen more. A hat-trick of sixes for Ferreira.

Rashid Khan to Donovan Ferreira, SIX! PUNISHED AGAIN! Rashid goes full with a googly, on middle and leg. Donovan Ferreira gets low on his knee and nails the slog sweep, dumping it into the stands behind deep mid-wicket for a six. 200 up for Rajasthan Royals!

Rashid Khan to Donovan Ferreira, SIX! SMASHED! Not that short from Rashid, on middle and off. Donovan Ferreira goes deep inside the crease and powers it over the long on fielder for a huge six.

Rashid Khan to Ravindra Jadeja, A googly, short and outside off, Jadeja hangs back and punches it straight to Gill at cover and calls his partner through for a single. The throw is a little wide from Gill towards Buttler and that allows Donovan Ferreira to scoot through.

Who bowls the last over? They only have their spinners left with overs. Shubman Gill has trusted Rashid Khan with it, who gave away 18 runs in his first over.

Prasidh Krishna to Donovan Ferreira, FOUR! Just over and it races away! Krishna digs in a bumper at the shoulder height. Donovan Ferreira gets under it and hooks it over Rahul Tewatia at short fine leg for a boundary. Tewatia gives it a chase, but the ball wins the race eventually. 11 runs from the penultimate over.

Prasidh Krishna to Ravindra Jadeja, Jadeja shows his cards early by shuffling in the crease to play the pre-determined scoop over short fine leg, but Krishna smartly spears in a full ball, cramping Jadeja for space. It takes the leading edge and rolls to cover-point for a single.

Prasidh Krishna to Donovan Ferreira, Fires in a low full toss, on middle. Donovan Ferreira does not get under it and ends up heaving it off the toe end to long on for a single. Ferreira wants the second, but the rocket throw from Holder towards the bowler prevents it.

Prasidh Krishna to Donovan Ferreira, FOUR! That is such a fine shot! Attempts the yorker, but misses it by an inch or so, around off. Donovan Ferreira drills it powerfully through cover and beats deep point to his right for a boundary.

Prasidh Krishna to Donovan Ferreira, Well bowled! Short and on top of middle. Donovan Ferreira sways out of the line and leaves. Not called a wide.

Prasidh Krishna to Ravindra Jadeja, Angled into the batter, short in length. Jadeja stands tall and uses his wrists to pull it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Prasidh Krishna to bowl the penultimate over.

Kagiso Rabada to Ravindra Jadeja, Short and on top of middle. Ravindra Jadeja rides the bounce and pulls it to deep square leg for a single. Excellent stuff from Rabada. He ends up giving just 5 runs in his final over, ending his spell with figures of 4-0-35-2.

Kagiso Rabada to Ravindra Jadeja, Across off, on a short of a length. Jadeja chops it to backward point.

Kagiso Rabada to Donovan Ferreira, Back of a length, around off, punched away to long off for a single.

Kagiso Rabada to Donovan Ferreira, Slanted onto the pads, on a length. Donovan Ferreira flicks it between long on and deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Heartbreak for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi once again in the 90s. Donovan Ferreira walks out to bat now.

Kagiso Rabada to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, OUT! STRAIGHT UP AND TAKEN! Once again, Sooryavanshi falls short after knocking on the doors of a century. Rabada bowls a well-directed short ball, angling it outside off. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi tries to carve it over point but gets a thick edge and the ball airs straight up the chimney towards deep third where Prasidh Krishna takes a good low catch. A special batting display from the youngster, and he has received a huge standing ovation from the crowd and his teammates as well. Rajasthan Royals are 172/6.

Kagiso Rabada to Ravindra Jadeja, Touch full at 134.8 kph, outside off. Jadeja shapes up to play the scoop shot over the short fine leg fielder, but has to make a late adjustment. Opens the bat face and guides it on the bounce to deep third for a single.

Kagiso Rabada (3-0-30-1) to bowl out now. Also, the Gujarat Titans bring in Rahul Tewatia as the Impact Sub, replacing Mohammed Siraj. The ball has disappeared into the moat just in front of the stands, which means out comes the briefcase of replacement balls. The on-field umpires pick the replacement, and we are ready to resume.

Mohammed Siraj is substituted by Rahul Tewatia

Washington Sundar to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, SIX! He has picked the length so early here! A juicy half-volley, drifting in and around the pads. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi collapses his back knee into the pitch, picks it up and sweeps it over deep backward square leg for a huge six. He is just one hit away from getting to his century now. 17 runs off the over.

Washington Sundar to Ravindra Jadeja, Drags the length back, on leg. Jadeja stands tall and dinks it to long on for an easy single.

Washington Sundar to Ravindra Jadeja, Slightly short and around off. Jadeja backs away and cuts it past the diving Siraj to his right at backward point and they hurry back for the second run.

Washington Sundar to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Fires in a low full toss on the stumps, Vaibhav gets the front leg out of the way and heaves it between long on and deep mid-wicket for a single.

Washington Sundar to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, SIX! This is top-drawer batting from this kid! Flatter and on a lower trajectory, full on middle. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi gets under it and pumps it straight down the ground and just manages to get enough power to clear the ropes for half a dozen. Moves to 89 (44), does Sooryavanshi.

Washington Sundar to Ravindra Jadeja, Arm ball, full and on middle and leg, from around the stump. Jadeja presses in front and eases it through mid on for a single.

Big call to bring Washington Sundar back into the attack. Shubman Gill is trying to buy a wicket here.

Jason Holder to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Gets the yorker in, on middle. Vaibhav jams it out watchfully. 11 runs off Holder's first 3 overs, but he goes for 16 runs in his final over to finish with figures of 4-0-27-2.

Jason Holder to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Jason sticks to the short ball, on off. Sooryavanshi extends his hands and slaps it with a horizontal bat over mid off. The ball does not have enough legs to reach the fence and Shubman Gill hauls it in. Two runs taken.

Jason Holder to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, FOUR! Over covers this time. Holder is being too predictable with his length. Dug in short again, on off. Sooryavanshi waits on the back foot and smacks it up and over cover with a horizontal bat. It races away to the fence quickly.

Jason Holder to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, SIX! Incredible shot! Holder bashes the hard length and gets it over the shoulder. Sooryavanshi hops up and plays the Tennis forehand down the ground. Shubman Gill is up inside the circle at mid off. He turns around and goes after it, but Vaibhav has got enough bat on it to clear the fence.

Jason Holder to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Nails the yorker, on middle. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi digs it out.

Jason Holder to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, FOUR! For the third over in a row, Sooryavanshi finds the fence on the first ball. With this boundary, Vaibhav brings up 1000 runs in the IPL, the quickest to reach that landmark in 440 balls, informs Ian Bishop. Short and wide on off, Vaibhav stands tall and slaps it over cover for a boundary.

Almost a replica of the 14th over. It also started with a six, but Rabada first, and now Siraj, made a decent comeback to close it out well. Last 5 overs to go, then. Here's Jason Holder back on. 3-0-11-2 so far.

Mohammed Siraj to Ravindra Jadeja, Pulls the length back now, on off. Jadeja steers it straight to backward point. Three dots in a row to close out the over. Siraj ends with figures of 4-0-42-1.

Mohammed Siraj to Ravindra Jadeja, Jadeja shows his cards early as he shapes up for the scoop. Siraj fires in a full ball but outside off. Ravindra tries to squeeze it out but misses.

Mohammed Siraj to Ravindra Jadeja, Hits the top of off, Jadeja stays back and nudges it to mid-wicket. Siraj still does not look comfortable as he holds his right shoulder on the way back to his mark.

Mohammed Siraj to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Pushes the length up now, on middle and leg. Sooryavanshi is cramped for room and smears it off the inner half towards cow corner. Just a single.

Mohammed Siraj to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Untidy from the Titans. This is on a hard length, around the off stump. Sooryavanshi swings hard at the ball and gets it off the outer half to deep third. Prasidh Krishna is placed a bit fine there but he manages to get around and mop it up. However, his throw sails over the keeper's head and rolls through mid-wicket, allowing the batters to run one more on the overthrow.

Mohammed Siraj to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, SIX! All the way! Siraj serves the bumper, over middle, Sooryavanshi gets inside the line of the ball and gets his bat up over his head. He uses the pace and helps it over long leg for a six.

Mohammed Siraj (3-0-33-1) returns for another spell, and will bowl out. He replaces Prasidh Krishna.

Kagiso Rabada to Ravindra Jadeja, Jadeja backs away but Rabada follows him with a good-length delivery. Ravindra tries to flick it away but ekes out an inside edge onto the pads. A good comeback from Kagiso after being hit for a six on the first ball as he ends up conceding 9 runs.

Kagiso Rabada to Ravindra Jadeja, Nice and straight, on a short of a length, on middle. Jadeja defends it off the back foot.

Kagiso Rabada to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Lands it on a back of a length, outside off. Sooryavanshi swings at it and shanks it off the inner half to long on for one.

Kagiso Rabada to Ravindra Jadeja, In and around the off stump, on a good length. Jadeja makes use of the angle as he plays the late dab down to deep third for a single.

A mandatory concussion test is underway for Sooryavanshi as he copped a hostile blow straight onto the helmet. The physio is out to check him up, and Vaibhav does look a bit shaken with that blow. Sips in some water, takes some deep breaths and is good to continue.

Kagiso Rabada to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ouch, that is a nasty blow. A proper fast bowler's response from Rabada. This is dug in short, over the left shoulder. Sooryavanshi swivels but takes his eyes off the ball while playing the pull. The ball grazes the top edge before pinging him on the side of the helmet. He is a bit shaken by the blow but manages to complete the single.

Kagiso Rabada to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, SIX! Rabada is welcomed back with a maximum. Kagiso angles it across the left-hander, on a length. Sooryavanshi hangs back, keeps a still head and carves it towards wide long off for a six.

Strategic Break! The Gujarat Titans have made an outstanding comeback in the middle phase, as they have conceded just 50 runs since the fielding restrictions were lifted and have picked up three massive wickets en route. Jason Holder has been the chief engineer of that comeback through a fabulous spell. However, with Jadeja back to bat, and Sooryavanshi looking pretty nicely settled, ready to launch, the Royals would still aim to finish around or above 200 to give themselves a good chance to defend their score. Kagiso Rabada (2-0-21-1) is brought back on.

Prasidh Krishna to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, FIFTY FOR SOORYAVANSHI! This has not been an easy wicket to bat on, given the two-paced nature, but Vaibhav has hung in there for his side. Prasidh digs it in short, over middle. Sooryavanshi gets his hands high and pulls it through mid-wicket for a single. This is Vaibhav's 5th fifty of the season, but the slowest of the lot in 31 balls, according to Ian Bishop.

Prasidh Krishna to Ravindra Jadeja, From around the wicket for the left-hander, fuller in length, outside off. Jadeja angles the drive through covers and crosses over.

It's spiralling downwards for the Rajasthan Royals badly now. 101/2 becomes 118/5 for them. And pleasing signs for RR, as Ravindra Jadeja is back to resume batting from 34 (19), as his team is in a deep crisis.

Prasidh Krishna to Jofra Archer, OUT! EDGED AND GONE! Six and out for Archer against Prasidh. Krishna pushes the length up and delivers it in the channel on off at 146.3 kph. Archer hangs on the back foot and swings hard, aiming to go down the ground. The ball catches the outside edge and the keeper, Jos Buttler, gobbles it up with ease. RR lose half their side now.

Prasidh Krishna to Jofra Archer, SIX! Clean strike! Seam-up ball, on a short of a good length, on off. Archer stands tall and nails the pull wide of deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

Prasidh Krishna to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Not in control but safe! Bowled at 144 kph, into the wicket and angled into the bodyline of the batter. Sooryavanshi stays deep in the crease but is rushed and he is tucked up for room. Skies the pull behind square leg, where Sai Sudharsan runs in off the ropes but the ball drops well in front. Single taken.

Prasidh Krishna to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Krishna bowls an effort-ball, on a hard length, over off. Sooryavanshi hangs back to deal with it but the ball climbs on him to hit the splice of the bat and it drops beside the strip on the off side.

That was an outstanding over from Holder. Just 8 runs in the last 2 overs for the Royals. Prasidh Krishna (2-0-22-0) to continue.

Jason Holder to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Dug into the pitch, around off, slower as well, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi drags it off the inside half of the bat towards mid-wicket for a run. Just 2 runs and a wicket off the over!

Jason Holder to Jofra Archer, Pitched up and on off, Jofra Archer knocks it towards mid off for a single.

Jason Holder to Jofra Archer, Uppish but safe! This is on a good length and on middle, holds up on the surface. Jofra Archer looks to clip it across the line but closes the bat face early. Gets a leading edge as the ball lobs up in the air, but lands just wide of the short cover fielder. It could have easily been two in two for Holder.

GT pulling things back through Holder in this middle phase. He has bowled an excellent spell so far. And surprise, surprise. Jofra Archer is promoted up the order now. UPDATE - Harsha Bhogle confirms on air that Ravindra Jadeja is dealing with a tennis elbow injury, which has aggravated further during the match. His participation in the remainder of this game still remains unclear.

Jason Holder to Dasun Shanaka, OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Jason Holder is turning the game around for Gujarat, and we have seen this before this season. He bends his back and bowls a well-directed bumper on the body of the batter. Dasun Shanaka tries to get inside the line and hook it away but gets tucked up. He only manages to glove it behind, where Jos Buttler makes no mistake. 17th wicket of the season for Holder, and this is now his best IPL campaign with the ball. Rajasthan Royals are 109/4 now.

Jason Holder to Dasun Shanaka, Bangs in a bouncer now, at 133 clicks, just outside off, Dasun Shanaka sways away from it.

Jason Holder to Dasun Shanaka, Short of a length and on off, Dasun Shanaka dabs it down to backward point.

Prasidh Krishna to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, A bumper to end the over, on middle, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi ducks under it.

Prasidh Krishna to Dasun Shanaka, This is on a back of a length, on middle. Shanaka glances it down to deep fine leg. They cross.

Prasidh Krishna to Dasun Shanaka, Touch fuller and outside off, but inside the tramline, Dasun Shanaka leaves it thinking it is a wide, but it is not.

Prasidh Krishna to Dasun Shanaka, Excellent keeping! Hits the deck hard, on middle and leg, Dasun Shanaka steps across to flick but it goes off his thigh pad wide of the keeper. Jos Buttler quickly moves to his left and dives to stop a certain boundary.

Prasidh Krishna to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, DROPPED! That is a massive moment in this game! Prasidh Krishna bangs this into the pitch, on middle, takes off a bit. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi gets hurried on his pull shot and mistimes it high in the air towards deep square leg. Sai Sudharsan is late to set off and is left with too much work to do. He comes charging in from the ropes, keeps his eyes on the ball and dives forward. He gets both hands on the ball but fails to hold on to it. They cross. Sooryavanshi gets a life, and that is not good news for the Titans.

Prasidh Krishna to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, FOUR! Nicely done! Prasidh Krishna tries the wide yorker, but misses it by some distance, outside off. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi extends his arms to get under it and carves it over extra cover for a boundary.

Halfway through the first innings. Rajasthan Royals are 103/3, with Sooryavanshi going good guns. Prasidh Krishna (1-0-16-0) is back on, replacing Rashid Khan.

Jason Holder to Dasun Shanaka, Touch fuller and on middle, Dasun Shanaka clips it towards mid-wicket. He sets off the run but is sent back, with the fielder missing his shy at the batter's end.

Jason Holder to Dasun Shanaka, Around off, on a good length. Shanaka stabs it down on the off side.

Jason Holder to Dasun Shanaka, Pitched up and on middle, Dasun Shanaka clips it wide of deep mid-wicket for a brace.

Holder lands a huge blow on the Royals, as he so often does in this middle phase for his side. Dasun Shanaka is the next man in. Also, live visuals showed a couple of balls back that Mohammed Siraj is back in the field for GT.

Jason Holder to Riyan Parag, OUT! TAKEN! Jason Holder strikes big for the Titans. He serves this fuller and angling into the pads. Riyan Parag plays his favourite pick-up shot off the pads, whipping it. He gets a good connection but just does not get enough elevation on the shot. It flies towards deep mid-wicket, where Kagiso Rabada takes a couple of steps back, settles under it and takes a fine reverse cup catch a couple of inches ahead of the ropes. Parag stands there in disbelief, but once again, he has failed to convert his start. It has been his story of the season.

Jason Holder to Riyan Parag, Short of a length and on off, Riyan Parag steers it with an angled bat but straight to backward point.

Jason Holder to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Back of a length and around off, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi backs away and punches it through cover-point for a single.

Rashid Khan to Riyan Parag, Slows it up, full and around leg, Riyan Parag misses his flick and gets hit on the pads. 18 runs from Rashid's first over!

Rashid Khan to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Floated, full and around off, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi forces it down to long on for a run. 100 UP FOR RR!

Rashid Khan to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, SIX MORE! Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's turn now! This is pushed through quicker, shorter, and around leg. Vaibhav gets down on one knee and slogs it over the deep backward square leg fence for half a dozen more.

Rashid Khan to Riyan Parag, Flatter, full and on off, Riyan Parag bunts it off the bottom part of his bat down to long on for a single.

Rashid Khan to Riyan Parag, SIX! Even better and bigger! This is short again from Rashid, on middle, there to be hit. Riyan Parag stands tall, gets on top of it and whacks it powerfully over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

Rashid Khan to Riyan Parag, FOUR! Welcome to the game, Rashid Khan! He bowls a half-tracker, around off. Riyan Parag needs no sighters as he rocks back and heaves it to the deep mid-wicket fence for a boundary.

Oh, hang on! Ravindra Jadeja looks in some discomfort out there and is walking off the field and is retired hurt. He had received medical attention during the break, but the issue clearly persists. We assume it is regarding his elbow, but not quite sure. We might have an update soon on that as well. RR would want Jadeja to be back as he will be crucial with the ball as well later on. For now, Riyan Parag is the new batter in for the Royals.

Jason Holder to Ravindra Jadeja, Ouch! Ravindra Jadeja is looking in some discomfort and is unable to continue. A blow to the batting team as Ravindra Jadeja is retired hurt.

Jason Holder to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Out comes the bumper, over the left shoulder. Sooryavanshi drops his wrists and sways away from the line of the ball. Holder follows up on the good work done by Sundar.

Jason Holder to Ravindra Jadeja, Hurls it on a good length, on off. Jadeja angles it to the left of backward point and hurries to the other end.

Jason Holder to Ravindra Jadeja, Wide! Pace off and into the deck, a bit too wide on off. Jadeja lets it go.

Jason Holder to Ravindra Jadeja, A bit fuller this time, going across. Jadeja rocks back and shuffles to work it away on the off side. Ends up chopping it down and it dribbles behind to the keeper.

Jason Holder to Ravindra Jadeja, Nearly went onto the stumps! Keeps it on top of off, on a back of a length. Jadeja hangs back to deal with it but the ball kicks up a bit. It drops off the face of the blade at the batter's feet.

Strategic Break! Ravindra Jadeja signals to the physio and the umpires take this opportunity to call for the strategic break. Despite losing a couple of early wickets, Rajasthan Royals have scored at a brisk rate, and for a change, it is Jadeja who is playing the aggressor and not Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, but he is not too far behind. Gujarat Titans tried the short-ball tactic on the kid, but it has not been fruitful so far. They know that they have to break this stand and put pressure on the middle order, which did crumble in the Eliminator.

Jason Holder to Ravindra Jadeja, FOUR! Fine shot! Holder bashes the hard length, over off. Jadeja skips down the track and stays leg side of the ball. He is a bit cramped for room but still manages to flay it over backward point, and the deep point fielder is beaten to his right.

Jason Holder to Ravindra Jadeja, Holder hits the deck hard and the ball kisses off the deck, on a back of a length, on off. Jadeja stabs it down on the off side.

Jason Holder has been introduced into the attack now.

Washington Sundar to Ravindra Jadeja, Six singles off the over. Flat and short, on middle. Ravindra nurdles it in front of square on the leg side for one more. Tidy start from Sundar.

Washington Sundar to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Fractionally short, on middle and leg. Sooryavanshi rocks back for the pull but loses his shape. He mistimes it behind square leg for only a single.

Washington Sundar to Ravindra Jadeja, Keeps it nice and tight at a flat trajectory, on a good length, on middle. RJ turns it to the right of deep mid-wicket. They think about the second run, but Jason Holder runs in and keeps the batters down to a single.

Washington Sundar to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Tucking the batter up for room, bowled at 100.6 kph. Vaibhav flicks this length ball to deep mid-wicket and crosses over.

Washington Sundar to Ravindra Jadeja, Pushed through, full and outside off. Jadeja presses forward for the drive. Miscues it off the inner half through mid on. They cross.

Washington Sundar to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Darted in from around the wicket, on a nagging length. Sooryavanshi punches it to wide long on for a single.

Time for some spin right after the field restrictions have been lifted. Washington Sundar to bowl some offies now.

Prasidh Krishna to Ravindra Jadeja, FOUR! Another poor delivery, and it gets the treatment. At the hips, on a back of a length. The fine leg is still inside the circle and Jadeja pulls it wide of that man to his right for a four. This has been an excellent counterpunch from the Royals after losing a couple of early wickets. After 6 overs, RR are 70/2.

Prasidh Krishna to Ravindra Jadeja, Angled away, on a back of a length. Jadeja dabs it to backward point.

Prasidh Krishna to Ravindra Jadeja, FOUR! One bounce and over the ropes! Krishna lands it on a short of a good length but errs in line. He is too straight with fine leg up inside the circle. Jadeja pivots on the back foot and pulls it over short fine leg. It nearly went the distance.

Prasidh Krishna to Ravindra Jadeja, From over the wicket now, sprayed on the pads, on a good length. Jadeja is beaten on the flick and wears it on the front pad.

Prasidh Krishna to Ravindra Jadeja, SIX! Into the stands! Prasidh Krishna angles in a short ball at the bodyline of the batter. Jadeja stands tall and swivels. He gets inside the line and hooks it beyond the long leg fence for half a dozen. The 50-run partnership comes up between this pair.

Prasidh Krishna to Ravindra Jadeja, Just out of reach! Angled in at the off stump from around the wicket, Jadeja dances down the track to this length ball. The bat turns in his hand and he slices it over. The sub fielder, Anuj Rawat turns around and goes after it. He flings himself at the ball but it drops away from him. Two runs taken.

Prasidh Krishna will bowl the final over of Powerplay. Also, Siraj is walking off the field to get some treatment on his right shoulder. Anuj Rawat is the substitute fielder for Siraj.

Mohammed Siraj to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, FOUR! Up and over! Bowled at 139.4 kph, this is on a good length, on middle. Sooryavanshi backs away to open up the off side and carves it with an angled bat face over backward point to pick up a boundary. Vaibhav brings up 500 runs in the Powerplay alone with this four, informs Ravi Shastri.

Mohammed Siraj to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Another effort ball by Siraj, across off. Sooryavanshi hops to flay it away but fails to lay any bat on it. This looked a bit high, but there was no signal of wide. Vaibhav has taken the review, believing that the ball went over his head. Sooryavanshi's head is measured at 1.843 metres, but the ball is passing him at 1.841 metres. So, it is a fair delivery. RR lose their first review.

Mohammed Siraj to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Bangs it in short, over the left shoulder. Sooryavanshi arches back to play the upper-cut but misses. Siraj holds his right shoulder on his follow-through. He is grimacing in pain, but he will carry on.

Mohammed Siraj to Ravindra Jadeja, Short and wide on off, Jadeja slaps it to deep backward point, where Nishant Sindhu tidies up. With this single, the 50 comes up for RR.

Halt! It looks like Mohammed Siraj is having some discomfort in his right shoulder. The physio is in to check on him. Siraj is ready to give it a crack despite not looking fully fit.

Mohammed Siraj to Ravindra Jadeja, Beaten! Another ball that leaves the left-hander, on a nagging length. Jadeja tries to play the late dab but fails to connect. Siraj seemed to have heard something as the ball went past the bat, but he got no support from anyone else.

Mohammed Siraj to Ravindra Jadeja, FOUR! Good shot! Angling away, on a good length at 139.6 kph. Jadeja gets the width to free his arms and he waits on the back foot. He gets on top of the bounce and punches it to the left of point for a boundary.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is fighting fire with fire. Siraj to continue...

Kagiso Rabada to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, SIX! Gets hold of it now! Rabada angles it outside off again, on a good length. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi picks the length and line early this time, clears the front leg, gets under it and pumps it over the bowler's head for a cracking six. 11 runs off the over, 32 from the last 2 for the Royals.

Kagiso Rabada to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Swing and a miss! Hits the deck hard, at 138 kph, angling across the left-hander by generating good lift. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi again tries to loft it down the ground and is beaten by a whisker.

Kagiso Rabada to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Beaten again! Nips away from off, on a hard length. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi does not move his feet much and swings hard to hit it over mid off again, but the ball leaves him and zips past the outside edge.

Kagiso Rabada to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Good response! Serious pace, reading 150.9 kph, short and outside off, absolutely zipping through the surface. Vaibhav is late on the pull and is beaten all ends up.

Kagiso Rabada to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, FOUR! This is brave batting! Slightly fuller, and angling away from the batter. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi plays it on the up and lofts it over mid off for a cracking boundary. Not exactly out of the meaty part of the bat, though.

Kagiso Rabada to Ravindra Jadeja, Length-delivery, outside off, Jadeja slices it to deep backward point for a single.

Mohammed Siraj to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, FOUR! Two in two for Sooryavanshi, and that should get him going! Siraj goes fuller now, around the off stump. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi swings hard across the line, gets the connection off the inner half, but manages to put it away into the fine leg gap for a boundary. A highly productive over for the Royals, 21 runs off it.

Mohammed Siraj to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, FOUR! Helped away! Slightly back of a length, on the leg stump line. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi gets inside the line, plants the back knee into the pitch and helps it to deep fine leg for a boundary.

Mohammed Siraj to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, FIVE WIDES! Even a fireman's ladder wouldn't have been enough to reach that. Siraj digs one in short and hard on off, clocking 146.4 kph, a real effort ball. Vaibhav lets it go through over his head, and Buttler leaps but cannot get anywhere near it. It races away to the fence.

Mohammed Siraj to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, And again! No timing on it whatsoever. On a back of a length, around middle and leg. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi heaves it off the toe end, in front of square on the leg side. There is no protection in the deep and the ball lands safely. It is mopped up by Prasidh Krishna, who sprints to his right, covering a lot of ground. Two taken.

Mohammed Siraj to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Bangs it halfway down the pitch, on middle and leg. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi hangs back and pulls it to deep square leg. Prasidh Krishna runs to his right from deep fine leg and cuts it off, keeping the batters down to a couple.

Mohammed Siraj to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, FOUR! Just over and runs away! Short of a good length, on off, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi mistimes the pull shot off the toe end, but has enough power on it to clear the mid on fielder for a boundary.

Mohammed Siraj to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Good gas! Well-directed short ball, on top of the off pole. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is rushed onto the pull shot and is comprehensively beaten as the ball flies over his bat through to the keeper.

Kagiso Rabada to Ravindra Jadeja, FOUR! Runs away through the narrow gap! Back of a length, skidding through the surface and hurrying Jadeja up. Ravindra opens the bat face and guides it off the outer half of the bat through the gap between first slip and short third for a boundary.

The Royals are in early strife. Ravindra Jadeja has walked in ahead of Riyan Parag.

Kagiso Rabada to Dhruv Jurel, OUT! CAUGHT EASILY BY GILL! First Siraj and now Rabada strikes in his first over to dent the Royals. Rabada spears it on a fuller length at 146.4 kph and slants it into the batter. Dhruv Jurel tries to flick it off the pads, over the leg side, but closes the bat face early and ends up getting a massive leading edge. The ball gets sliced and lobbed behind mid off, where Shubman Gill backpedals a bit and takes a simple catch around his chest.

Kagiso Rabada to Dhruv Jurel, Full again, straighter at the stumps. Jurel presents a straight bat and drives it on the bounce to mid on.

Kagiso Rabada to Dhruv Jurel, Much fuller now, on middle and leg. Jurel plants the front foot across and flicks it to the mid-wicket fielder.

Kagiso Rabada to Dhruv Jurel, FOUR! That's a class shot! Short and skidding through on off, Dhruv Jurel arches back a bit, uses the pace and cuts it over backward point. There's a man protecting the deep third fence, but the ball beats him to his right.

Kagiso Rabada to Dhruv Jurel, Hits the hard length, angled onto the pads. Dhruv Jurel plays off the back foot and nudges it to the right of the mid-wicket fielder for a couple of runs.

A tone-setting opening over from Mohammed Siraj. Kagiso Rabada will steam in from the other end.

Mohammed Siraj to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Swing and a miss! A muted appeal from Buttler for caught behind, but he bails out almost instantly as the umpire shakes his head. On top of off, on a shorter length. It kicks up and beats Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's attempted back foot pull shot. Whistles over his angled bat, and Buttler collects it in front of his face. The UltraEdge later shows a flat line.

Mohammed Siraj to Dhruv Jurel, Wide outside off, on a slightly fuller length. Jurel presses back and cuts it off the outer half to deep backward point for a single to get his first run.

The Titans throw the first punch. Dhruv Jurel walks in at number 3 for the Royals.

Mohammed Siraj to Yashasvi Jaiswal, OUT! TAKEN IN THE DEEP! Siraj with a big, big wicket and RR's opening stand lasts just 4 balls in the all-important knockout game. Siraj hits the hard length, on a tighter line, angling from middle to leg. Jaiswal is a bit rushed on the pull shot and mistimes it in the air, sailing it only as far as Prasidh Krishna at deep backward square leg. Krishna runs in a few steps off the ropes, crouches and takes a fine catch. The Royals are 2/1.

Mohammed Siraj to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Short of a length, stump-to-stump, cutting back in. Vaibhav heaves it off the inner half towards deep square leg for a single only.

Mohammed Siraj to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Cramps the batter for room, on a hard length, nipping back into the batter. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi does not get enough space to open his arms and shanks it back to the bowler's right.

Mohammed Siraj to Yashasvi Jaiswal, First runs on the board! Back of a length, outside off. Yashasvi Jaiswal hangs back and punches it hard to the point fielder. Washington Sundar dives to his right, makes a half-stop and parries the ball behind for a single. Jaiswal and RR are off the mark.

We are all set to get underway in Qualifier 2. Shubman Gill leads his men through the fireworks before gathering them for one final huddle. A huge roar goes around the stadium as Yashasvi Jaiswal walks out with the young sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Mohammed Siraj will kick things off with the new ball for the Titans. Siraj to Jaiswal. A slip in place. The countdown is done and off we go...

Time to hear from Vaibhav Sooryavanshi - About his routine before every match, Sooryavanshi says the evening schedule has worked in their favour, giving the squad plenty of time to recover between games. He adds that he uses his free time to connect with his family. On the knockout pressure, he says his thought process does not change from game to game, and he makes a conscious effort not to overthink, which he believes keeps him sharp and focused. About whether he focuses much on video analysis of the bowlers he is going to face, Sooryavanshi says he does not rely on it heavily, explaining that watching too much footage can plant doubts in his mind about the deliveries that could get him out. He adds that everyone already knows what each bowler brings to the table, so he simply focuses on visualising. On how rubber-ball cricket shaped his game, Sooryavanshi says practising batting for five to six hours a day with a new ball that swings, on cemented wickets, has been invaluable. He notes that since he opens across all formats, red-ball and white-ball alike, there will always be bowlers looking to frustrate him. He credits his father for ensuring he practised against all kinds of deliveries from an early age.

Impact sub options for RR - Shubham Dubey, Sushant Mishra, Aman Perala, Ravi Bishnoi and Tushar Deshpande.

Rajasthan Royals (Unchanged Playing XI) - Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Riyan Parag (C), Donovan Ferreira, Dasun Shanaka, Ravindra Jadeja, Jofra Archer, Nandre Burger, Brijesh Sharma and Yash Punja.

Impact sub options for GT - Rahul Tewatia, Glenn Phillips, Anuj Rawat, Kumar Kushagra and Arshad Khan.

Gujarat Titans (Playing XI) - Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (C), Jos Buttler (WK), Jason Holder, Washington Sundar, Nishant Sindhu, Rashid Khan, Sai Kishore (In for Kulwant Khejroliya), Kagiso Rabada, Prasidh Krishna and Mohammed Siraj.

The skipper of the Gujarat Titans - Shubman Gill says that they would have batted first as well. Adds that 40 overs have already been played on this wicket, and he doesn't think it will change much. Unfortunately, the referee didn't hear the call from Parag the first time. Gill mentions that it is everything to play for them in this game as it is a now-or-never situation. Says everyone is fired up to go out there. Informs that Sai Kishore is back in the team.

The captain of the Rajasthan Royals - Riyan Parag, on the surface, says it is pretty much the same surface, but feels it might slow down as the game progresses. Details that they have the bowlers who bowl with a lot of variations and exploit such conditions. On the knockout pressure, he says the last three games have all carried the same weight, and everyone wants to win. He keeps the messaging simple, saying the side needs to play good cricket for all 40 overs, and whichever team does that will come out on top. When asked about the squad's recovery, Parag admits everyone is hanging by a thread, adding that he himself is particularly stretched. He says everything that can be done for the team has been done and it is now time to go out and perform. He stresses that regardless of who is carrying a knock, the side has to give its absolute best. Informs that they are going unchanged for this fixture.

TOSS - The two captains have made their way out to the centre for the flip of the coin. Shubman Gill gives it a flick. Oh, it looks like the match referee did not quite catch Riyan Parag's call, so we will have to do it all over again. Riyan calls 'Heads', and he gets it right. Rajasthan Royals opt to BAT first.

Let's hear from RR's Donovan Ferreira - Ferreira says the knockout tag does not faze them, noting that while they have played three must-win games, each has been a different challenge. He stresses that momentum cannot be carried from one game to the next and calls today a massive occasion for the side. On his role as a finisher, Ferreira says he will do whatever the coach and team require, describing that as the side's core motto. He notes that management has all the data and insights to make those decisions, and the players simply have to stay ready whenever they are called upon. Personally, he says he is comfortable walking in after the 15th over, but if asked to go in earlier, he adapts without hesitation. He explains that the late entry gives everyone time to settle on the wicket before he can explode at the back end. On the surface, Ferreira says the captain and coach are yet to finalise the call but describes it as a very good batting wicket. He points to the previous game where the opposition reached 200 despite not batting particularly well, crediting that to how good the surface is. He says regardless of the decision, the side will need to either post a strong total or chase well. He adds that if dew is a factor, batting second holds an advantage, but the team will back whatever the management decides.

A quick word with GT's leading run scorer - Sai Sudharsan says that they are not looking at it as a big game. They are taking it like just another match, looking to do what has worked for them and hopefully get over the line. Mentions that you have to be versatile enough to chase totals around 240-250, but that doesn't mean they change their way of batting. It's more about the decision-making and adding a few more layers to the batting. Sai shares that it doesn't matter to him whether they are batting first or second, and they are looking forward to whatever challenge is in front of them. Says that as a team, they are looking forward to this game. Admits it was a tough defeat in the last game, but that has ignited a fire in them for this clash.

PITCH REPORT - Former West Indies fast bowler, Ian Bishop is pitchside, and he starts by informing that pitch number 4 will be used for this clash. He notes that there is a lovely breeze sweeping across the ground this evening and believes that should help keep the dew away later in the night. In terms of dimensions, there is a slight imbalance square of the wicket, with one side measuring 69 metres and the other 63 metres, while the straight boundary stretches out to 74 metres. Australia's World Cup-winning captain, Michael Clarke joins Bishop and notes that this is the very same wicket that hosted the Eliminator. At first glance, it looks remarkably similar, with an even and consistent covering of grass across the surface. However, Clarke notes that it is very dry underneath. Michael expects the pitch to offer good pace, bounce and carry for the seamers, while suggesting there may not be a great deal of assistance for the spinners. The one question mark, according to Clarke, is whether the used surface begins to slow up as the game goes on. Like Bishop, he does not anticipate dew becoming a major factor later in the evening due to the breeze and reckons 220 would be a par score on this surface.

In case you missed it - Earlier today, Rishabh Pant stepped down as the captain of the Lucknow Super Giants. The decision was initiated by Pant himself, who requested to be relieved of leadership duties, and the franchise subsequently accepted his request. The move comes on the back of a difficult campaign for LSG. For the first time since their inception in 2022, they finished at the bottom of the table, managing just four wins this season.

What history tells us - Since 2011, the second-placed team has reached the IPL final every season, and GT will hope that trend continues after finishing second this year. In fact, since 2022, the teams that met in Qualifier 1 have gone on to face each other in the final every year. RR, though, have a few trends of their own to lean on. They have won all four matches they have played at New Chandigarh and are looking to become only the fourth team in IPL history to reach the final after coming through the Eliminator. The stage is set for history to either repeat itself or be rewritten. Stick around for toss and team news.

How the sides stack up - GT's top three have scored 1730 runs between them this season, against 1614 for Rajasthan's top order. The contrast lies not in volume but in philosophy. The Titans have built on consistency and accumulation, while the Royals' top three have embraced a more attacking approach. With the ball, Gujarat hold a clear edge. Their pace attack has been the most incisive in the competition, boasting a strike rate of 15.3 compared to 18.6 for Rajasthan's seamers. Their quicks have also claimed 84 wickets, the most by any pace unit this tournament. Rajasthan will draw confidence from the way Jofra Archer has led the attack, though they will need the rest of the pace unit to step up around him. 

A place in the final beckons - Greetings, all. Gujarat Titans and Rajasthan Royals are all set to battle it out for the right to meet Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Sunday's final. The dream of IPL glory is within touching distance, but by the end of the night, for one team, that dream will still be burning bright, while for the other, it will be a case of what could have been.

... MATCH DAY ...

A 2022 final flashback - The Maharaja Yadavindra Singh PCA Stadium in Mullanpur has never hosted a game quite like this. Qualifier 2 of IPL 2026 brings together the Gujarat Titans and the Rajasthan Royals, two teams separated by just one win and a world of history with a place in the final against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on the line. Four years ago, on a different ground, Gujarat lifted their inaugural IPL title, defeating these very Royals by seven wickets. That night in Ahmedabad announced the Titans' arrival. But a lot has changed since 2022. New captains, new heroes, new identities. And yet, here they are again, standing across from each other with everything at stake. The trilogy decider - The head-to-head history heavily favours the Titans. In ten previous meetings across IPL history, Gujarat have won seven times, while Rajasthan have managed just three victories. The two sides have split their two meetings this season, setting up a perfect trilogy decider when it matters most. The first clash in Ahmedabad went RR's way, a nerve-shredding six-run victory. The return fixture in Jaipur, though, belonged to the Titans, a commanding 77-run demolition. But there is one difference heading into this knockout that could tilt the balance. While Gujarat arrive in after a disappointing Qualifier 1 defeat, Rajasthan walked onto this very pitch just 48 hours ago and delivered a knockout masterclass, dismantling Sunrisers Hyderabad by 47 runs to keep their season alive. The pitch, the crowd, the pressure of a playoff - RR have felt all of it here already. For Gujarat, this will be their first taste of Mullanpur. That familiarity could be decisive. The opening machine that never stops - Gujarat Titans enter Qualifier 2 as one of the most balanced sides in the competition, and at the heart of their dominance is an opening partnership that has redefined consistency. Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan have been the pillars of GT's batting all season. Sudharsan has amassed 652 runs from 15 matches at a strike rate of 157.86, while Gill sits close behind with 618 runs at 159.27. Between them, they have scored 13 fifties and a century this season, and their 118-run stand against RR in Jaipur was the foundation on which Gujarat built their 77-run demolition. But the Titans are not a two-man show. Jos Buttler, now firmly established at No. 3, has contributed 498 runs, and his numbers while chasing are particularly formidable. Washington Sundar has been the glue in the middle order, contributing over 45 per cent of runs from Nos. 4-7 in IPL 2026, while Rahul Tewatia remains one of the most dangerous finishers in the death overs. The attack that sets GT apart - The bowling attack, however, is where Gujarat truly separate themselves. Their pace unit of Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj and Jason Holder has been relentless. The inclusion of Holder turned things around for them, who is striking at a rate of 12.9, the best in the team. Rabada has 26 wickets this season, joint most in the league, while Siraj has conceded just 8.96 runs per over. Prasidh Krishna has been in and out of the team but he has a knack of picking up key wickets in the middle and death overs. And then there is Rashid Khan. The Afghan leg-spinner had an unusually quiet 2024 and 2025 by his standards, but he has roared back to form this season. In the Jaipur meeting against RR, he produced a match-winning spell of 4 for 33, dismantling the Royals' middle order and turning the game decisively in GT's favour. The Sooryavanshi show - If Gujarat have the most consistent opening pair in the IPL, Rajasthan have the most destructive, and his name is Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The 15-year-old phenomenon has taken the league by storm this season, and his latest masterpiece came on this very ground just two days ago. In the Eliminator against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Sooryavanshi produced one of the greatest T20 innings ever witnessed by a player of any age - 97 off just 29 balls, including 12 sixes. He reached his fifty in 16 balls, hit seven consecutive boundaries at one stage, and came within a single delivery of breaking Chris Gayle's record for the fastest IPL hundred (30 balls). That knock took Sooryavanshi to the top of the Orange Cap race, he now has 680 runs at an average of 45.33 and a staggering strike rate of 242.85. His 65 sixes this season have already broken Gayle's iconic record of 59 in a single IPL campaign. He has smashed two 15-ball fifties (the third-fastest in IPL history) and a 37-ball 103. Put simply - when Sooryavanshi stays at the crease for even 10 overs, Rajasthan are almost impossible to beat. The supporting cast must deliver too - Around Sooryavanshi, however, there are questions. Dhruv Jurel has been RR's second-highest scorer with 508 runs, and he was at his belligerent best in the Eliminator, smashing a 21-ball 50. Yashasvi Jaiswal has 426 runs at 153.23, but his form has tapered off in the second half of the season. Captain Riyan Parag has shown flashes, including 90 off 50 balls against Delhi, but consistency remains elusive. Donovan Ferreira has been explosive when given the chance, scoring 279 runs at No. 5 or lower at a strike rate of 168.07. Rajasthan attack faces another tough test - The bowling attack is led by Jofra Archer, who has 24 wickets this season and remains one of the most lethal new-ball bowlers in the world. In the Eliminator, he set the tone immediately, removing Abhishek Sharma for a duck in the first over before returning to dismiss Ishan Kishan and Travis Head, finishing with three crucial wickets. Against GT in the Jaipur defeat, however, he was taken apart in the Powerplay by Gill and Sudharsan. Apart from Archer, Nandre Burger started the season well but has suffered from inconsistency but in Brijesh Sharma, they have found someone who can hit those yorkers at the death. Ravi Bishnoi has been RR's most consistent spinner with 11 wickets, but Yash Punja has gone ahead of him in the pecking order, making more impact. If RR are to win, they need Sooryavanshi to fire again, and their bowlers to find a way to contain the GT opening pair, something no team has managed all season consistently. Form (Last 5 completed matches, recent first) - GT - LWLWW | RR - WWWLL. The final hurdles before Ahmedabad - One final factor could be the surface itself. Mullanpur has quickly developed a reputation as one of the better batting venues in IPL 2026, with true bounce, quick outfield and several 200-plus totals already being posted and chased here this season, though there is enough assistance for seamers with the new ball before the pitch settles down. That makes the opening battles even more crucial - Vaibhav Sooryavanshi against Mohammed Siraj and Kagiso Rabada, and Shubman Gill against Jofra Archer, who has dismissed the GT skipper three times in the IPL already. In a knockout game where momentum can swing within a couple of overs, those Powerplay matchups could well decide who books their place in the final.