Rajasthan Royals Set for Crucial Clash Against Gujarat Titans
The Rajasthan Royals (RR) will head into Qualifier 2 of the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) with a strong sense of momentum, as they prepare to face the Gujarat Titans (GT) at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh on Friday, May 29. The Royals have shown impressive form in recent matches, and their performance against the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Eliminator has set the stage for a potentially thrilling encounter.
In that match, RR delivered a commanding victory, thanks in large part to the outstanding performance of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The 15-year-old batter showcased his immense talent by scoring an impressive 97 runs at a strike-rate of 334.48, helping his team post a formidable total of 243 in the first innings. The bowling attack then played a crucial role in sealing the win, with Jofra Archer leading the charge by taking three wickets.
This win not only boosted RR’s confidence but also put them in a strong position as they aim to reach their third IPL final. The Jaipur-based franchise last made it to the final in 2022, where they fell short against their opponents from Friday’s game.
Predicted XI for Rajasthan Royals vs Gujarat Titans
Here is the strongest predicted lineup for the Rajasthan Royals as they take on the Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 2:
Top Order: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Dhruv Jurel (WK)
At just 15 years old, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has already become one of the most valuable players for the Rajasthan Royals. His exceptional performance this season has earned him the Orange Cap, with a staggering 680 runs from 15 matches at a strike-rate of 242.85.
His opening partner, Yashasvi Jaiswal, has been a consistent performer, scoring 426 runs this season. However, his recent form has dipped slightly, with only 120 runs scored in his last six outings at an average of 20.
Middle Order: Riyan Parag (C), Donovan Ferreira, Dasun Shanaka, Ravindra Jadeja
The middle order for RR has struggled to make a significant impact due to the dominance of the top-order batters. Captain Riyan Parag has had a mixed season, scoring 298 runs at an average of 24.83 with a strike-rate of 156.84. Meanwhile, Donovan Ferreira has been striking the ball well, with a strike-rate close to 170, though he has lacked consistency in terms of run-scoring recently.
Bowlers: Jofra Archer, Nandre Burger, Brijesh Sharma, Yash Raj Punja
The Rajasthan Royals’ bowling department is led by England fast bowler Jofra Archer, who has enjoyed his most successful IPL season yet. Following his three-wicket haul against the Mumbai Indians and Sunrisers Hyderabad, the right-arm pacer has taken 24 wickets this season, placing him third in the list of wicket-takers.
Brijesh Sharma and Nandre Burger have provided solid support to Archer, each taking 13 wickets at similar economy rates. The spin duo of Ravindra Jadeja and Yash Raj Punja have contributed with 10 and nine wickets respectively.
Final Lineup
The predicted playing XI for the Rajasthan Royals against the Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 2, IPL 2026, is as follows:
Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Riyan Parag (C), Donovan Ferreira, Dasun Shanaka, Ravindra Jadeja, Jofra Archer, Nandre Burger, Brijesh Sharma, Yash Raj Punja
Impact Player: Sushant Mishra/Shubham Dubey
