The stage is set for a thrilling knockout encounter as Gujarat Titans take on Rajasthan Royals in Qualifier 2 of IPL 2026 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur on Friday. The winner will advance to face Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the final, making this a high-stakes clash between two former champions.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Steals the Spotlight
All eyes will be on Rajasthan's young opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who stunned the cricketing world with a breathtaking 28-ball 97 against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Eliminator. His explosive batting, alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal, has transformed Rajasthan into one of the most dangerous Powerplay teams in the tournament. Gujarat's bowling unit, led by Rashid Khan, Mohammed Siraj, and Kagiso Rabada, will need a solid plan to contain the teenager.
Team Form and Momentum
Rajasthan Royals arrive with confidence after a dramatic win over Sunrisers Hyderabad, while Gujarat Titans are looking to recover from a heavy defeat to Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Qualifier 1. Rajasthan's journey to the playoffs was sealed with a must-win victory over Mumbai Indians in their final league match. Gujarat, meanwhile, have relied on captain Shubman Gill and overseas stars like Jos Buttler and Kagiso Rabada throughout the season.
Key Battles to Watch
- Jofra Archer vs Shubman Gill: Archer has dismissed Gill three times in seven T20 innings, restricting him to an average of 7.20. Gill has been preparing against short-pitched bowling in nets, but Archer's pace and bounce could be decisive.
- Powerplay Aggression: Rajasthan's openers have consistently attacked from the start, while Gujarat's top order collapsed against RCB. Early wickets could swing the game.
Conditions and Toss Factor
Weather and dew could play a significant role in Mullanpur. Thunderstorms have been reported nearby, and heavy dew is expected in the second innings. Recent IPL trends favour teams batting first, with six of the last seven matches won by the side setting a target. Gujarat have lost all seven chases above 210 since 2025, making the toss crucial.
Team Strengths and Weaknesses
Gujarat Titans boast the best middle-over bowling statistics this season, with Rashid Khan, Rabada, and Siraj regularly breaking partnerships. However, their batting relies heavily on Gill and Sai Sudharsan, and they have struggled in high-scoring chases. Rajasthan Royals, on the other hand, have been most dangerous when batting first and attacking through their openers. Their fearless approach has put opposition under pressure early.
Head-to-Head in Playoffs
Gujarat hold a strong playoff record against Rajasthan, having beaten them twice in the 2022 playoffs — in Qualifier 1 and the final — on their way to the title. However, Rajasthan's current momentum and batting firepower make this a different contest.
Match Details
The match starts at 7:30 PM IST and will be broadcast live on Star Sports, with streaming available on JioHotstar. Both teams are chasing their second IPL trophy: Rajasthan won the inaugural edition in 2008, while Gujarat lifted the trophy in 2022.
Squads
Gujarat Titans: Shubman Gill (c), Jos Buttler (wk), Kumar Kushagra, Glenn Phillips, Rashid Khan, Manav Suthar, Nishant Sindhu, Washington Sundar, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Kagiso Rabada, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore, Jayant Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Ashok Sharma, Jason Holder, Tom Banton, Luke Wood, Sai Sudharsan, Rahul Tewatia, Arshad Khan, Anuj Rawat, Kulwant Khejroliya, Gurnoor Brar, M Shahrukh Khan.
Rajasthan Royals: Riyan Parag (c), Dhruv Jurel (wk), Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ravindra Jadeja, Donovan Ferreira, Brijesh Sharma, Jofra Archer, Shimron Hetmyer, Shubham Dubey, Dasun Shanaka, Nandre Burger, Ravi Bishnoi, Sandeep Sharma, Lhuan-Dre Pretorius, Ravi Singh, Aman Rao Perala, Adam Milne, Kuldeep Sen, Kwena Maphaka.
With a place in the final at stake, fans can expect a thrilling contest between two determined teams packed with match-winners.
