IPL 2026 Qualifier 2: GT vs RR Match Report

MULLANPUR: In a high-octane thriller filled with unprecedented drama, the Gujarat Titans (GT) stormed into the IPL 2026 Final after pulling off a commanding 7-wicket victory over the Rajasthan Royals (RR) in IPL 2026 Qualifier 2 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium.

Chasing a daunting target of 215 runs, GT skipper Shubman Gill led from the front with a masterful, unbeaten 104 off 53 balls, blasting 15 fours and 3 sixes. Alongside a blistering 58 off 32 balls from opener Sai Sudharsan, the duo forged a devastating 167-run opening partnership that completely dismantled the Rajasthan Royals bowling lineup, securing their ticket to face Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the ultimate final at Ahmedabad.

The Double Toss Controversy

The high-stakes encounter got off to a bizarre start before a single ball was even bowled. Standing in for regular duties, RR captain Riyan Parag flipped the coin, but the match referee stated he could not hear the call due to the roaring crowd noise. In a rare refereeing blunder, the toss had to be conducted twice. Parag won the re-toss and elected to bat first on a batting-friendly New Chandigarh surface.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's Historic 96 & Tearful Exit

Despite early blows that saw Yashasvi Jaiswal depart for just 1, RR's 15-year-old batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi played an innings for the ages. The teenage sensation single-handedly kept the Royals afloat, smashing a brutal 96 runs off just 47 deliveries, laced with 8 boundaries and 7 colossal sixes.

During his explosive knock, Sooryavanshi shattered a historic milestone, becoming the first uncapped player in IPL history to score 700 runs in a single season, finishing his staggering campaign with 776 runs across 16 games.

However, there was immense heartbreak at the death as Sooryavanshi narrowly missed his century, caught at third man off Kagiso Rabada for 96. A late cameo from Donovan Ferreira (38* off 11) helped propel RR to a formidable 214/6.

Following the team's elimination and his agonizingly close miss at a playoff hundred, the young prodigy was seen visibly emotional and in tears on the field, bringing a poignant end to arguably the greatest breakthrough season by an uncapped player in T20 cricket history.