The IPL 2026 Qualifier 2 sets up a high-stakes battle between Gujarat Titans and Rajasthan Royals with a place in the final on the line. Gujarat Titans will look to recover from their heavy defeat in Qualifier 1, while Rajasthan Royals arrive with strong momentum after three consecutive wins.
Match details
Venue: Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium
Date: Friday, May 29, 2026
Time: 7:30 PM IST, 7:00 PM PST, 2:00 PM GMT
Team overviews
Gujarat Titans
Gujarat Titans have enjoyed another impressive IPL campaign under the leadership of Shubman Gill. The Titans finished among the top-performing teams during the league stage, powered by a balanced squad featuring experienced international stars and impactful Indian players.
However, GT enter Qualifier 2 after suffering a crushing 92-run defeat against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Qualifier 1. Their bowling attack struggled under pressure, and the batting lineup failed to build partnerships during the chase.
Despite that setback, Gujarat remain one of the strongest teams in the tournament. Sai Sudharsan and Jos Buttler have provided consistency at the top, while Rashid Khan and Kagiso Rabada continue to lead the bowling department effectively.
GT will also take confidence from their strong overall record against Rajasthan Royals, having won seven of the ten meetings between the two teams.
Rajasthan Royals
Rajasthan Royals have built momentum at the perfect stage of the tournament. The Royals defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad by 47 runs in the Eliminator and now enter Qualifier 2 with confidence and rhythm.
Young opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi stole the spotlight in the previous game with a sensational 97-run knock off just 29 balls. Rajasthan’s batting unit has looked fearless, especially on batting-friendly surfaces.
Riyan Parag has handled captaincy responsibilities well, while experienced players like Ravindra Jadeja, Jofra Archer, and Dasun Shanaka have added balance to the side. RR also have an excellent record at Mullanpur, winning all four matches they have played at the venue.
Head-to-head record
Gujarat Titans hold the advantage in the overall head-to-head battle against Rajasthan Royals.
| Matches | GT Wins | RR Wins | No Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 7 | 3 | 0 |
Both teams won one game each against the other during IPL 2026, making this knockout clash even more evenly balanced.
Pitch report
The pitch at Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium has consistently produced high-scoring games throughout IPL 2026. The average first-innings score at the venue this season stands around 220, highlighting the batting-friendly conditions.
The surface offers good bounce and pace, allowing stroke-makers to play freely once they settle in. Fast bowlers may get limited assistance with the new ball, but spinners could struggle if batters attack aggressively.
Even though chasing has been successful at this venue, teams may prefer batting first in a pressure-filled knockout contest to avoid scoreboard pressure later in the match.
Key players
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi heads into the contest after a remarkable innings against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Eliminator. His 97 off 29 balls completely changed the game and proved his ability to dominate quality bowling attacks.
Shubman Gill
Shubman Gill remains Gujarat Titans’ most important batter. The captain’s ability to anchor the innings while maintaining a strong strike rate will be crucial against Rajasthan’s pace attack.
Kagiso Rabada
Kagiso Rabada has been one of the standout bowlers of IPL 2026 with 26 wickets in 15 matches. His battle against RR’s aggressive top order could decide the direction of the game.
Jofra Archer
Jofra Archer continues to deliver breakthroughs in important matches. Rajasthan will depend on him heavily during the powerplay and death overs.
Probable playing XIs
Gujarat Titans Probable XI
- Sai Sudharsan
- Shubman Gill (captain)
- Jos Buttler (wicketkeeper)
- Washington Sundar
- Nishant Sindhu
- Jason Holder
- Rashid Khan
- Arshad Khan
- Kagiso Rabada
- Mohammed Siraj
- Prasidh Krishna
Impact Player: Rahul Tewatia
Rajasthan Royals Probable XI
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
- Dhruv Jurel (wicketkeeper)
- Riyan Parag (captain)
- Donovan Ferreira
- Dasun Shanaka
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Jofra Archer
- Nandre Burger
- Brijesh Sharma
- Yash Raj Punja
Impact Player: Sushant Mishra or Shubham Dubey
Probable match scenarios
If Gujarat Titans bat first and their top order performs well, they have enough power-hitters to post a total beyond 230. GT’s bowling attack, featuring Rabada, Siraj, and Rashid Khan, has the experience to defend challenging targets under pressure.
Rajasthan Royals will look to continue their aggressive batting approach. If Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi provide another explosive start, RR could put GT’s bowling unit under immediate pressure.
The middle overs battle between Rashid Khan and RR’s attacking batters may prove decisive in shaping the outcome of the match.
Live streaming and broadcast
India
TV Broadcast: Star Sports Network
Live Streaming: JioHotstar app and website
Pakistan
TV Broadcast: Tapmad TV and regional sports broadcasters carrying IPL coverage
Live Streaming: Tapmad app and website
United Kingdom
TV Broadcast: Sky Sports Cricket
Live Streaming: Sky Go and NOW
Australia
TV Broadcast: Fox Cricket
Live Streaming: Kayo Sports and Foxtel Go
Global viewers
Fans across other regions can watch through official IPL broadcast partners and licensed digital streaming platforms available in their countries.
Match prediction
Both teams enter Qualifier 2 with strong match-winners, but Rajasthan Royals appear slightly more confident because of their recent winning streak and dominant performance in the Eliminator. However, Gujarat Titans possess greater experience in pressure matches and a more balanced bowling attack.
If GT’s top order delivers early momentum, they could control the game. Rajasthan’s aggressive batting style makes them dangerous, but Gujarat Titans hold a slight edge because of their overall squad depth and stronger head-to-head record.
