Updated on: May 29, 2026 8:48:04 PM IST
Gujarat Titans vs Rajasthan Royals, IPL 2026 Qualifier 2: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi dropped on 46, and will hope to make the spare life count.
Gujarat Titans vs Rajasthan Royals, IPL 2026 Qualifier 2: A rematch of the IPL 2022 final, this time in Qualifier 2 to decide who will go through. Some things are similar compared to the last time this pair of teams met in the playoffs, but much more have changed – Jos Buttler for one, has crossed the divide to be a GT player, while RR have reprised his superstar role at the top of their order with a player who was 11 years old the last time RR made it to this stage of the tournament.
GT were dominant through the group stages, riding a consistent top three and a devastating fast-bowling attack led by Kagiso Rabada tot ake them to the first Qualifier game. Once there, however, GT were outclassed and destroyed, first by Rajat Patidar, then by the RCB bowling as their own usually-dependable batting completely collapsed. With the all-important second shot, Shubman Gill’s team makes the descent from Dharamshala down the Himalayas to New Chandigarh, where RR lie in wait.
Equally as dominant a win as RCB’s came via the other half of the Royal Rivalry, as Rajasthan decimated SRH in the Eliminator. With the team’s fate on the line, there was no question of fear or safety for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi – the teenager played his best yet, scoring 97 off 29 and falling agonisingly short of a T20 record. It was enough to push RR to a very healthy total despite a late collapse – but it was Jofra Archer’s magic with the new ball to dull SRH’s own threat that got the job done.
So now, back in Mullanpur for the third of three playoff games leading up to the finals. Defending champs RCB lie in wait, eager for back-to-back trophies. But equally hungry will be a pair of teams with very different reasons for being here. Inaugural champs RR, winless since 2008, trying to end a long drought and make the most of a near-supernatural season from the bat of Sooryavanshi. GT, with a chance to go into their third final in five years, establishing themselves as the single most consistent team of the IPL if they do get there.
The key battle, to nobody’s shock, will be how GT’s new ball bowlers fare against Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Mohammed Siraj had some success against him earlier this tournament, but fans won’t have forgotten how the brutal lefty introduced himself with a century against this very bowling attack last year. He is not daunted even by the best bowlers in the world – but RR are aware that the remainder of the team, packed with talent but not quite delivering, need to pick up their own weight and give him some solid support.
The Final awaits. Who wants it more?
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GT were dominant through the group stages, riding a consistent top three and a devastating fast-bowling attack led by Kagiso Rabada tot ake them to the first Qualifier game. Once there, however, GT were outclassed and destroyed, first by Rajat Patidar, then by the RCB bowling as their own usually-dependable batting completely collapsed. With the all-important second shot, Shubman Gill’s team makes the descent from Dharamshala down the Himalayas to New Chandigarh, where RR lie in wait.
Equally as dominant a win as RCB’s came via the other half of the Royal Rivalry, as Rajasthan decimated SRH in the Eliminator. With the team’s fate on the line, there was no question of fear or safety for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi – the teenager played his best yet, scoring 97 off 29 and falling agonisingly short of a T20 record. It was enough to push RR to a very healthy total despite a late collapse – but it was Jofra Archer’s magic with the new ball to dull SRH’s own threat that got the job done.
So now, back in Mullanpur for the third of three playoff games leading up to the finals. Defending champs RCB lie in wait, eager for back-to-back trophies. But equally hungry will be a pair of teams with very different reasons for being here. Inaugural champs RR, winless since 2008, trying to end a long drought and make the most of a near-supernatural season from the bat of Sooryavanshi. GT, with a chance to go into their third final in five years, establishing themselves as the single most consistent team of the IPL if they do get there.
The key battle, to nobody’s shock, will be how GT’s new ball bowlers fare against Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Mohammed Siraj had some success against him earlier this tournament, but fans won’t have forgotten how the brutal lefty introduced himself with a century against this very bowling attack last year. He is not daunted even by the best bowlers in the world – but RR are aware that the remainder of the team, packed with talent but not quite delivering, need to pick up their own weight and give him some solid support.
The Final awaits. Who wants it more?
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May 29, 2026 8:48:04 PM IST
Can’t stop him from scoring runs – the slowest of his IPL career, took him a whopping 31 balls. Such are the standards that he has set.
Jadeja back to give him support – you have to ask, where on earth is Ferreira?
May 29, 2026 8:44:37 PM IST
Archer promoted, and connects with one – but gone right after!
Jofra Archer sent in ahead of Ferreira – his only idea will be to swing hard and give some support to Archer.
But that doesn’t last long! Tries to go after some width but only gets a thick edge. Easy catch for Buttler.
Gets one six, but it’s now 118/5 – RR with some questionable tactics!
May 29, 2026 8:39:26 PM IST
Now Shanaka falls! Struggle ends
Dasun Shanaka just couldn’t get going, and Jason Holder takes advantage with a sharp bouncer. Shanaka can only get glove on it – 3(9) from him, not the innings you want.
RR losing steam through this phase of the game. 39 off the last 33 balls, most of it in that one big over off Rashid.
May 29, 2026 8:33:48 PM IST
SAI SUDHARSAN DROPS SOORYAVANSHI! Total misread on trajectory
That was the moment GT could have all but sealed a spot in the final! Hard into Sooryavanshi’s bat, can’t get anything bu elevation on it. Sudharsan, usually a very good fielder, picks it up late – has to start running in very late after he fails to get a read on it. Needs to pull out a dive and never quite gets there!
Second life for Sooryavanshi, on 46.
May 29, 2026 8:28:22 PM IST
HOLDER STRIKES! Removes the RR captain
Good connection… but not enough power! Out towards the longer side of the boundary, just slightly off the toe-end of the bat, and goes comfortably straight to Rabada in the deep!
Parag can’t believe it – he knows the significance he had to this innings.
101/3 now… pressure continues to build on Sooryavanshi’s young shoulders.
May 29, 2026 8:24:56 PM IST
4, 6, 6! Parag targets Rashid early, and Sooryavanshi joins the party
The move-on RR needed! Captain Parag sees his first ball, whacks it for four. Second ball, similar shot for six.
Sooryavanshi not far behind – gets inside the line, under the ball, and improvises to hit it far over square leg. No holding them down for long!
May 29, 2026 8:21:25 PM IST
Hold on – Jadeja forced to retire hurt!
That’s a shame! Jadeja was hitting it well and going at a good rate, but seems to have hurt something in the last over. Decides to retire hurt to tend to it between overs – will get some clarity soon whether it’s injury related, or tactical. But not a bad time for Parag to come in now, with the spinners in operation.
May 29, 2026 8:20:19 PM IST
Two good overs for GT – just 12 off them
Sundar and Holder come in to bowl the post-powerplay overs and keep things tidy.
RR will want to ensure this isn’t a long slow-down.
May 29, 2026 8:08:18 PM IST
Jadeja chips in to end powerplay with 16-run over!
Not just Sooryavanshi – Jadeja showing that there’s value to him getting a promotion today! Uses the pace and bounce from Prasidh to pick up a string of boundaries over fine leg – smart batting, and RR will be happy with where the find themselves now!
May 29, 2026 8:03:47 PM IST
So one over of the powerplay left – RR not with the best start, but now find themselves in a decent position. Will want a big end to the powerplay.
May 29, 2026 7:54:49 PM IST
Sooryavanshi hammers six after two plays-and-misses against Rabada!
Good battle between Sooryavanshi and Rabada as the pacer uses that pace to beat the bat a couple of times – but don’t let him see too many! Doesn’t get it too cleanly, but such is his strength that he still manages to hammer it back over Rabada’s head for a six!
May 29, 2026 7:48:50 PM IST
Siraj bleeds 21 run over!
RR get moving and it’s without any real risk! Sooryavanshi picks up one four over the top, but after that it’s Siraj losing his line and length. First five wides as a bouncer balloons over Buttler, then slides down leg twice to allow Sooryavanshi to get just a touch of bat on it and fetch a pair of fours!
May 29, 2026 7:41:14 PM IST
NOW RABADA REMOVES DHRUV JUREL!
RR WITH A HORROR START! It’s there to be hit, pitched up, but Jurel loses his timing and shape trying to drive over the top. Off the outer half of the bat, loops up, and it’s a simple simple catch at mid-off!
9/2 now – pressure right onto RR!
May 29, 2026 7:36:08 PM IST
JAISWAL FALLS! GONE IN FIRST OVER
JUST THE START GT WANTED! Don’t forget about Jaiswal just because of what Sooryavanshi can do – breaking this opening stand is so key. Hard length into his body, tries to take on the pull shot, but gets none of it as he tries to pull. There’s a man at fine leg, and it’s a simple catch – this is just what GT do!
May 29, 2026 7:31:49 PM IST
Here we go! Siraj first up against Sooryavanshi and Jaiswal
Ready for action in New Chandigarh! Jaiswal will take strike against Siraj – both players hungry for a big game. Off we are… with a single. Here comes Sooryavanshi.
May 29, 2026 7:21:14 PM IST
Sai Kishore comes in for GT.
GT XI: Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (c), Jos Buttler (wk), Nishant Sindhu, Washington Sundar, Jason Holder, Rashid Khan, Sai Kishore, Kagiso Rabada, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj
Impact: Rahul Tewatia, Glenn Phillips, Anuj Rawat, Kumar Kushagra, Arshad Khan
May 29, 2026 7:13:54 PM IST
RR’s playing XI for the day.
RR XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Riyan Parag (c), Donovan Ferreira, Dasun Shanaka, Ravindra Jadeja, Jofra Archer, Nandre Burger, Brijesh Sharma, Yash Raj Punja
Impact: Shubham Dubey, Sushant Mishra, Aman Rao Perala, Ravi Bishnoi, Tushar Deshpande
May 29, 2026 7:03:48 PM IST
Takes two flips, but RR opt to BAT first!
Toss goes up but not clear what the call was so it’s decided to flip the coin again – might be some early controversy in this one!
Parag says they will bat first on this surface. Gill mentions at the toss that they would have batted first as well, and seems the original scrapped toss went GT’s way! That’s a talking point.
May 29, 2026 6:30:03 PM IST
GT vs RR LIVE Score, IPL Qualifier 2: Half an hour to the toss
GT vs RR LIVE Score, IPL Qualifier 2: 30 mins away from when Riyan Parag and Shubman Gill will call at the toss. Mullanpur has been a good ground for batting with excellent strike-rates particularly in the powerplay – and when there isn’t grip in the surface, batters can cause damage. Runs on the board have proven crucial in this tournament, but chasing teams have won three of the five matches thus far.
To note – RR have already won twice at this venue so far into the season. Familiarity will always help.
May 29, 2026 6:15:38 PM IST
Last time they met – matches split
The two teams in neighbouring states have met on two occasions this season – once very early on, when a back-and-forth contest saw RR hold on in a nervy defence after GT’s tail threatened to chase down the total. Next time around, Shubman Gill starred to give GT a big score, and RR’s batting never quite came to the party as they suffered a collapse and lost. Even runnings between the pair.
May 29, 2026 5:55:40 PM IST
RR had a phase where they looked ready to challenge for the top 2, but a few bad results left them playing catch up. That said, they were the sole team in the chasing pack with their fate in their own hands heading into the last week of games, and showed up with big wins when it mattered most. They continued that trend with a Sooryvanshi-led thrashing of SRH in the Eliminator, giving them a chance at the final on Sunday.
May 29, 2026 5:30:03 PM IST
GT’s big NRR swing thank to a huge win against CSK in their very last game of the season ensured that they finished second, earning a second go in the playoffs thanks to Qualifier 1. Facing RCB, GT were outclassed – first by Rajat Patidar’s scintillating 93*, before seeing their batting fall apart in the face of a big chase. GT are a consistent, dependable team – bowling is their strength, and they have Kagiso Rabada’s wickets and Jason Holder’s impact to thank for that stature they hold. But momentum might be against them slightly.
May 29, 2026 5:15:04 PM IST
The 10 teams entering the IPL play it for one reason only – to get their hands on the trophy. Both the teams playing today are two steps, just two wins, away from achieving that goal. But it’s always one game at a time at this level, which means the goal for this evening is simply to get to the Final. Winner progresses, loser goes home – as simple and straightforward a situation as it can be. A chance at history, or a footnote to it.
May 29, 2026 5:00:07 PM IST
GT vs RR LIVE Score, IPL Qualifier 2: HELLO AND WELCOME!
GT vs RR LIVE Score, IPL Qualifier 2: Down to the last weekend of IPL 2026! It has taken a while to get here – but in about 6 hours’ time, there will only be two more teams left standing. One team bids farewell tonight – but who will it be? Plenty to discuss in the last stretch leading up to Qualifier 2. Stay tuned for all the updates!
