GT vs RR Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Shubman Gill. Image Credits: AFP
Gujarat Titans’ structure and tactical precision will be tested by the fearless Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as Rajasthan Royals chase a place in the IPL final. With momentum, pressure and contrasting styles colliding, Qualifier 2 promises a gripping battle in New Chandigarh.
After a campaign built on consistency and discipline, Gujarat Titans now face their toughest challenge against a Rajasthan Royals side inspired by Sooryavanshi’s fearless strokeplay. A final berth is at stake as two teams with different approaches fight for survival.
GT vs RR Match Preview- Qualifier 2, IPL 2026
Gujarat Titans and Rajasthan Royals will lock horns on Friday, May 29 in Qualifier 2 match of IPL 2026. The high-octane clash will take place at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh and is scheduled to live at 7:30 PM IST.
Gujarat Titans’ Bowling Strength Faces Bigger Test as Batting Must Step Up
Gujarat Titans’ bowling remains their biggest strength despite the crushing defeat against RCB in Qualifier 1, where they conceded more than 250 runs. They still possess the best bowling average this season at 24.82 and have struck every 15.8 balls.
Their pace attack has thrived in the powerplay, taking 31 wickets, the second-most by any team this season behind RCB’s 33. Kagiso Rabada continues to be their biggest wicket-taking threat in the first six overs, with 18 powerplay wickets to his name.
GT will expect Rabada to deliver again against Rajasthan Royals’ young sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Mohammed Siraj has been their most economical pacer at the start, while Jason Holder and Rashid Khan have controlled the middle-overs effectively.
Also Read: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi IPL Centuries
However, Gujarat Titans cannot rely solely on their bowlers against a Rajasthan Royals side capable of matching RCB’s power-hitting intensity. Their batting unit has not been the most aggressive this season and will need to significantly improve its scoring rate.
There is also a hidden concern behind GT’s impressive bowling numbers. While they boast an outstanding bowling average of 19.56 at home in Ahmedabad, the best for any team at their home venue this season, that figure rises sharply to 30.82 in away or neutral conditions.
That trend weakens their dependence on the bowling attack alone and puts greater responsibility on the batting unit to step up in Qualifier 2 after falling short against RCB’s hitting firepower in Qualifier 1.
Rajasthan Royals Built Beyond Sooryavanshi with Power, Spin and Archer Edge
Rajasthan Royals’ challenge is no longer defined by Vaibhav Sooryavanshi alone, even though the youngster has been absolutely firing and deserves full credit for putting RR in the driving seat against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Eliminator.
However, their resurgence goes far beyond individual brilliance. Rajasthan had faced issues with their bowling in the second half of the tournament, much of it influenced by Jaipur’s home conditions hurting their attack.
But Mullanpur appears to suit them far better, as seen in their recent outing. Jofra Archer has been the best bowler outside home in IPL 2026, giving Rajasthan Royals a strong edge to support a red-hot batting unit.
That batting unit, powered by Sooryavanshi’s sheer carnage, has made Rajasthan Royals strike at 194.44 in the powerplay, the best among all teams this season. They will, however, be up against the strongest powerplay bowling attack in the competition, making Yashasvi Jaiswal equally crucial at the top.
In addition, Rajasthan’s spin attack has been the best this season, boasting a bowling average of 25.3 and a strike-rate of 16.7, giving them control in the middle-overs. With so many factors working in their favour, and Sooryavanshi’s explosive form at the centre of it all, captain Riyan Parag has also been an inspirational leader capable of taking on Gujarat Titans in this high-stakes clash.
Key Stats
Gujarat Titans key stats
- GT has won 1 of their 3 games in Mullanpur.
- No bowler has taken more wickets than Rashid Khan in middle-overs this season - 17 wickets.
- Rashid Khan loves bowling against in GT vs RR - 15 wickets, 6.7 economy and 16 strike-rate.
- Shubman Gill is leading run-scorer in GT vs RR fixtures - 416 runs at 52 average.
- Shubman Gill has been the best batter away from home in IPL 2026 - 401 runs, 50.12 average and 4 50s.
- Jos Buttler has an average of 87.66 in 4 IPL playoffs games in his career.
Rajasthan Royals key stats
- Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is the leading run-scorer of IPL 2026 with 680 runs at 242.85 strike-rate.
- Rajasthan Royals has won each of their 4 matches in Mullanpur.
- Rajasthan Royals has the second best bowling average outside home venues this season - 28.37 average.
- Ravindra Jadeja has the second best economy for a spinner with 10 wickets or more this season - 8.03 economy rate.
- Jofra Archer has dismissed Shubman Gill three times in 30 balls in T20s.
- RR has the second best six hitting rate this season - 1 six every 9.91 balls.
Possible Changes
Arshad Khan In For Kulwant Khejroliya
Kulwant Khejroliya had a tough game against RCB and is expected to be replaced with Arshad Khan in Qualifier 2.
What To Expect?
There were plenty of fireworks at this venue earlier, especially from Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, and it is expected to be another good surface for batting. However, this is the same used pitch, so some grip and low bounce could come into play, a characteristic of this ground.
That said, conditions will largely reward those who adapt quickly, with runs still available for set batters. Gujarat Titans have the bowling attack capable of extracting the best out of this surface and controlling phases of the game.
Rajasthan Royals, meanwhile, bring superior batting firepower that is expected to carry through again, with their aggressive approach likely to be decisive in pushing them closer to a place in the final.
Also Read: Rishabh Pant To Prince Yadav: LSG Player Ratings For IPL 2026
