Focus on Stopping Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
Gujarat Titans coach Parthiv Patel addressed the team’s strategy ahead of their crucial knockout match against Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2026. During a pre-match press conference, Patel highlighted the importance of targeting Rajasthan Royals’ opener, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who has been one of the standout performers this season.
Sooryavanshi currently leads the Orange Cap race with an impressive 680 runs, maintaining a strike rate of 242.82 and hitting 65 sixes. His aggressive batting style has made him a formidable threat for any team that faces him. Patel acknowledged the challenge posed by Sooryavanshi, stating that the plan is to dismiss him as early as possible in the game.
Patel said:
“It felt good to see the way he is batting. Hopefully, we will try to get him out at the start, and like all the other teams have planned, like that we have seen his videos, and hopefully we will be able to execute our plans against him.”
He also emphasized the need to move past any discussions about Sooryavanshi’s age, highlighting his talent and the impact he has had on the game.
“The last time I had said that we should be talking about his age. That’s something we need to put an end to. He has been a phenomenal talent; the way he is playing, it’s great to see. From an opposition’s point of view, our point of view would be he does not get any tomorrow.”
Rajasthan Royals’ recent victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Eliminator was partly due to Sooryavanshi’s explosive 97, making it even more critical for Gujarat Titans to find a way to restrict him early in the match.
Supporting Sai Sudharsan’s Approach
Patel also spoke about Gujarat Titans’ batter Sai Sudharsan, who is second in the Orange Cap race with 652 runs. Despite some speculation about whether he should increase his strike rate, Patel fully backed Sudharsan’s current approach.
Patel stated:
“No, I don’t think there is any kind of temptation to tell Sai Sudarshan to do it at a higher strike rate. He has been very effective, and he has been scoring at a fair strike rate also. It’s not that he is scoring under 100.
“If someone is scoring near 300, it does not mean that everyone has to bat at the same strike rate. But he has been very effective and giving us results. So there is no talk about telling Sai Sudharshan that you need to go higher in terms of strike rate.”
Sudharsan has proven to be a reliable presence for Gujarat Titans, contributing significantly in key matches throughout the tournament.
Rashid Khan’s Role in the Bowling Attack
Another key player in the Gujarat Titans’ lineup is senior spinner Rashid Khan, who has taken 19 wickets this season. After returning from injury, Rashid faced a slow start but has since shown consistent performance and dedication.
Patel praised Rashid’s efforts, noting his commitment and determination:
“Obviously, Rashid does not need any kind of introduction with the kind of bowler he has been. We know he has had a tough season because he was coming after an injury, but after that, he has been bowling consistently and has been working really hard. We know the kind of bowler he is and how hungry he is to contribute.
“He always wants to bowl in those difficult situations. And that’s the reason why he has been bowling well. Like I said, there is no question of Rashid’s skillset at all. We have full trust in him and that’s the reason that he is part of the Gujarat Titans’ set-up for a long time.”
Looking Ahead
With a place in the next stage of the tournament at stake, Gujarat Titans are relying on their experienced players to deliver under pressure. The team’s focus remains on executing their strategies effectively, particularly in containing Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and leveraging the strengths of their batting and bowling lineups. As the match against Rajasthan Royals approaches, the pressure will be on the players to perform when it matters most.
