Predicted Rajasthan Royals Playing XI vs GT: Riyan Parag to change anything for Qualifier 2?

Less than 48 hours after their sensational Qualifier 1 win over the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), the Rajasthan Royals (RR) are back in action for Qualifier 2 against Gujarat Titans in Mullanpur. But unlike most playoff buildups, this one revolves around a 15-year-old.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s jaw-dropping 97 off 29 balls against SRH single-handedly took RR closer to the IPL 2026 final. The winner of this game will face the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on May 31. Now, even GT know that if Sooryavanshi’s special arrives once again, the game could be a formality.

Cricket

15 mins

Qualifier 2: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi stands between Gujarat Titans & IPL 2026 Final

The problem for Gujarat Titans is that nobody has really figured it out yet. GT themselves arrive wounded after getting demolished by Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Qualifier 1. Their trusted formula failed badly as Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan and Jos Buttler all fell inside the Powerplay, only the second time that trio has collapsed together this season. Now, with a place in the IPL 2026 final on the line, RR look unlikely to make major changes.

Will Riyan Parag change RR combination?

The biggest talking point around Rajasthan Royals is the fitness of captain Riyan Parag. Parag was visibly struggling during the Eliminator and could barely run between the wickets while batting. However, he remained on the field throughout the match, suggesting the injury is manageable rather than serious.

RR also skipped their optional training session before Qualifier 2, but all signs point towards Parag being available again against GT. Ravindra Jadeja, who was also carrying a niggle, is expected to continue as well. Given RR’s dominant win over SRH, the franchise is likely to stick with the same combination.

The explosive opening pair of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sooryavanshi will once again carry the responsibility of setting the tone. RR’s Powerplay scoring rate of 11.66 is the best in IPL 2026 and it has become their biggest weapon. Sooryavanshi alone has smashed 65 sixes this season, the most by a player in a single IPL season. For context, GT openers Gill and Sudharsan combined have hit 59.

GT vs RR battle could be decided in the Powerplay

Qualifier 2 could eventually boil down to one phase that is the powerplay. RR won their clash against SRH in the powerplay only. Conversely, GT like to play it a little safe in the powerplay (with the bat). Gill and Sudharsan usually provide stability, while Kagiso Rabada and Mohammed Siraj strike with the new ball. Rashid Khan and Jason Holder then squeeze the teams through the middle overs.

But RR attack differently. They rely on chaos, aggression and a helter-skelter approach. If Sooryavanshi gets through the Powerplay, RR can break games open within minutes. The teenager has already hammered Rabada for 25 runs off 14 balls and taken Siraj apart for 38 off just 20 deliveries this season.

However, GT do have one favourable matchup. Rabada has dismissed Jaiswal three times in 27 balls while conceding just 27 runs. At the other end, RR will trust Jofra Archer to unsettle Gill again. Archer has dismissed the GT captain three times in T20 cricket while giving away only 36 runs in 30 balls.

The battle between Rabada and Archer could ultimately decide who reaches the IPL 2026 final.

Predicted Rajasthan Royals Playing XI vs GT

No.	Player
1	Yashasvi Jaiswal
2	Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
3	Dhruv Jurel (wk)
4	Riyan Parag (c)
5	Donovan Ferreira
6	Dasun Shanaka
7	Ravindra Jadeja
8	Jofra Archer
9	Nandre Burger
10	Sushant Mishra
11	Brijesh Sharma
12 (Impact Sub)	Yash Raj Punja

There is also a possibility RR bring in Tushar Deshpande depending on conditions and dew. But after posting 243 against SRH and dominating the Eliminator, changing a winning combination before Qualifier 2 feels unlikely.

The post Predicted Rajasthan Royals Playing XI vs GT: Riyan Parag to change anything for Qualifier 2? appeared first on Inside Sport India.

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