Gujarat Titans booked their place in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 final with a commanding seven-wicket victory over Rajasthan Royals in Qualifier 2 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur.
Chasing a daunting target of 215, Gujarat Titans produced a batting masterclass, reaching 215/3 in just 18.4 overs. Captain Shubman Gill led from the front with a sensational 104 off 53 balls, while Sai Sudharsan provided strong support with a rapid 58 off 32 deliveries. The pair's opening partnership of 167 runs effectively took the game away from Rajasthan Royals.
Earlier, Rajasthan Royals posted an impressive 214/6 in their 20 overs after being put under pressure early in the innings. Teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi once again showcased his extraordinary talent, scoring a brilliant 96 runs and keeping Rajasthan in contention. Ravindra Jadeja contributed 45 runs, while Donovan Ferreira added a late flourish with an unbeaten 38 off just 11 balls.
Despite setting a formidable total, Rajasthan's bowling attack struggled to contain Gujarat's aggressive chase. Gill dominated the powerplay and middle overs, punishing loose deliveries and maintaining a high scoring rate throughout the innings. Gujarat crossed the finish line with eight balls to spare, completing one of the most successful run chases in IPL playoff history.
The match also featured pre-game drama when an unusual re-toss controversy delayed proceedings. Rajasthan Royals eventually won the second toss and elected to bat first, but the incident became a talking point among fans and commentators before the action began.
Match Scorecard
Rajasthan Royals – 214/6 (20 overs)
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Vaibhav Sooryavanshi – 96
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Ravindra Jadeja – 45
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Donovan Ferreira – 38*
Gujarat Titans – 215/3 (18.4 overs)
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Shubman Gill – 104
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Sai Sudharsan – 58
Result: Gujarat Titans won by 7 wickets.
With the victory, Gujarat Titans advance to the IPL 2026 final, where they will face Royal Challengers Bengaluru in a bid to capture their second IPL title. Rajasthan Royals' impressive campaign comes to an end despite another standout performance from young star Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
Relevant teams: Rajasthan Royals and Gujarat Titans. Key performers included Shubman Gill and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
