Gujarat Titans and Rajasthan Royals are set for a high-stakes clash in IPL 2026 Qualifier 2 at the PCA Stadium in Mullanpur on Friday, with a place in the final against Royal Challengers Bengaluru up for grabs. While both teams possess explosive batting line-ups and quality bowling attacks, much of the spotlight ahead of the game remains firmly on Rajasthan Royals teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.

The 15-year-old left-hander has been unstoppable this season and arrives for the knockout clash after smashing a sensational 97 off just 29 balls against SunRisers Hyderabad in the Eliminator. Gujarat Titans know that dismissing Sooryavanshi early could be the key to keeping Rajasthan Royals under control.

Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin believes Gujarat Titans may need to think differently if they want to stop the RR opener. Ashwin suggested that using spin inside the Powerplay against Sooryavanshi could actually work, but only if the bowlers execute their plans perfectly. “I think a spinner could stop Vaibhav, but he is very clever,” Ashwin said while analysing the contest.

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The veteran spinner explained that bowling to Sooryavanshi requires far more than simply sticking to defensive lines. According to Ashwin, bowlers must continuously change their pace, angles and field placements to prevent the youngster from predicting deliveries.

“You need a proper plan for every ball. He reads field placements very quickly, and if he survives the first few deliveries, he starts dominating bowlers,” Ravichandran Ashwin explained.

Ashwin also pointed out that modern T20 cricket has reduced the effectiveness of traditional spin because many bowlers struggle to create drift and deception in the air. However, he mentioned that the Gujarat Titans still have a few spin options who could trouble Sooryavanshi under the right conditions.

Sai Kishore and Washington Sundar were both discussed as possible match-ups, although Ashwin admitted each brings different strengths and limitations.

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Gujarat Titans enter Qualifier 2 after suffering a heavy defeat against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Qualifier 1, while Rajasthan Royals arrive with strong momentum following their commanding win over SunRisers Hyderabad. With a place in the IPL 2026 final at stake, the Gujarat Titans’ battle against Vaibhav Sooryavanshi could ultimately decide the outcome of the contest.