Just 48 hours after the Eliminator, Rajasthan Royals (RR) head into Qualifier 2 carrying massive momentum and even bigger expectations, largely because of teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The young batter has become the biggest talking point of the IPL playoffs after his breathtaking performances, and all eyes will once again be on him when RR take on Gujarat Titans (GT) in a high-pressure knockout clash. While Sooryavanshi’s fearless batting has dominated headlines, Qualifier 2 also presents a fascinating battle between two teams coming off completely contrasting performances.

Rajasthan Royals defeated SunRisers Hyderabad with an aggressive, top-heavy batting display, while Gujarat Titans were left stunned by Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Dharamsala after suffering a crushing defeat. GT’s bowling attack completely lost control in the second half of that match as RCB hammered 155 runs in the final ten overs. In a packed playoff schedule, recovering mentally from such a one-sided loss is never easy. Adding to their concerns was the rare failure of Gujarat’s trusted top order.

For only the second time since playing together, Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan and Jos Buttler were all dismissed inside the Powerplay, leaving GT struggling at 51/5 within six overs. Much has been said this season about the Gujarat Titans being heavily dependent on a fixed winning formula. Their success often revolves around Gill and Sudharsan building strong starts, followed by early breakthroughs from Kagiso Rabada and Mohammed Siraj before Rashid Khan controls the middle overs.

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However, assistant coach Parthiv Patel dismissed the criticism, pointing out that GT still finished second on the points table because their system has consistently delivered results. Still, there are clear warning signs for the Gujarat Titans. Since 2025, they have failed to chase a 210-plus target in seven attempts. More worrying is the fact that they have conceded 240-plus totals in two of their last three matches, exposing serious weaknesses in their bowling attack under pressure.

In comparison, the Rajasthan Royals look far more explosive at the top. The aggressive approach of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Yashasvi Jaiswal gives RR an edge over Gujarat’s more calculated batting unit. On the bigger ground in Mullanpur, a strong Powerplay could decide the contest, and if Rajasthan’s top order fires again, GT may struggle to keep up.

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However, Gujarat still possess one major strength. No team has taken more wickets in the middle overs this season, and their ability to slow down scoring through dot balls remains among the best in the tournament. Even if RR get off to a flying start, GT have the bowling depth to pull themselves back into the game.

Weather could also play a role, with slight chances of rain around New Chandigarh and temperatures expected to remain above 40 degrees. Dew in the second innings may once again influence captaincy decisions. Historically, Gujarat Titans hold the advantage with a 7-3 overall head-to-head record against Rajasthan Royals, although both teams have shared two wins each since 2025.

Gujarat Titans (GT)

Gujarat Titans head into the crucial IPL playoff clash with a fully fit squad, but their biggest challenge remains finding a way to stop Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The Rajasthan Royals youngster has emerged as one of the most destructive batters this season, and interestingly, it was against GT that he first grabbed attention with a sensational century last year. This season too, he has already produced a couple of impactful starts against them.

One of those matches also featured an intense face-off between Sooryavanshi and Mohammed Siraj. After being smashed for a first-ball six, Siraj responded brilliantly with a sharp short ball that troubled the teenager. Alongside Kagiso Rabada, Siraj has been among the best Powerplay bowlers this season, and both pacers will again target the aggressive RR opener early.

Probable XII: Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (c), Jos Buttler (wk), Nishant Sindhu, Washington Sundar, Jason Holder, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Arshad Khan/Sai Kishore, Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna

Rajasthan Royals (RR)

RR also have a few concerns of their own. Yashasvi Jaiswal’s struggles against spin have continued throughout the season, with a strike-rate of just 111.11 against slower bowlers. The left-hander has additionally been dismissed three times by Rabada in only six T20 innings.

Meanwhile, Jofra Archer remains RR’s biggest weapon with the ball. His battle against Shubman Gill could prove decisive in Qualifier 2. Archer has dismissed Gill three times in seven T20 innings, restricting him to an average of just 7.20. Gill looked sharp during training but was occasionally troubled by extra bounce in the nets, something Archer will certainly look to exploit with his pace and steep lift.

Probable XII: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Riyan Parag (c), Donovan Ferreira, Dasun Shanaka, Ravindra Jadeja, Jofra Archer, Nandre Burger, Yash Raj Punja, Brijesh Sharma, Sushant Mishra/Tushar Deshpande/Ravi Bishnoi