NEW CHANDIGARH — Rajasthan Royals defeated Gujarat Titans by a narrow margin in a high-scoring Indian Premier League 2026 Qualifier 2 match on Friday at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium.
Rajasthan Royals posted 214 for 6 in 20 overs after electing to bat first. Gujarat Titans were unable to chase the target, according to live score updates from Cricbuzz and ESPNcricinfo.
The match featured strong performances from several Rajasthan Royals players. Young batter Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who has had a breakout season, contributed significantly, building on his recent form that included a 97 off 29 balls in the Eliminator. Donovan Ferreira and Ravindra Jadeja also played key roles in the middle order. Riyan Parag, captaining the side, helped stabilize the innings.
Gujarat Titans' bowling attack, led by players including Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna and Rashid Khan, kept the pressure on but conceded runs at a high rate on a batting-friendly pitch.
"Rajasthan Royals are through to the final after a thrilling victory," a Cricbuzz match report stated as the game concluded.
This result advances Rajasthan Royals to the IPL 2026 final scheduled for May 31 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, while Gujarat Titans are eliminated from the title race.
The Qualifier 2 encounter drew significant attention as both teams entered with strong records in the league stage. Rajasthan Royals had relied heavily on explosive batting throughout the season, with Suryavanshi breaking multiple records including the most sixes in a single IPL season.
Gujarat Titans, known for their balanced squad and effective death bowling, pushed hard in the chase but fell short in the closing overs.
Details on exact individual scores and bowling figures remained fluid immediately after the match, with full official statistics expected from the IPL governing body shortly. No injuries were reported during the contest.
The IPL 2026 playoffs have been marked by several close matches, highlighting the competitive depth of the tournament. Rajasthan Royals will now prepare for the final, aiming for their first title since 2008.
