Shubman Gill, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Kagiso Rabada, Jofra Archer, and Rashid Khan headline the key players in the IPL 2026 Qualifier 2 as Gujarat Titans take on Rajasthan Royals at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, on Friday, May 29.
Rajasthan Royals enter on an emotional high after Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s breathtaking 29-ball 97 powered them past SRH in the Eliminator. Jofra Archer also dismissed Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, and Travis Head in that game.
Meanwhile, Gujarat Titans are nursing the wounds of their Qualifier 1 defeat, but have the massive advantage of playing at home at the NMS, where they have been formidable all season. GT beat RR in all three meetings this season, including a convincing win in Match 52 where Rashid Khan took 4 wickets.
The winner books a place in the IPL 2026 Final at Ahmedabad on June 1. Lose and go home. Cricket does not get more dramatic than this.
Key Players To Watch Out For From Both Teams
| Category | Player Name | Team | Key Role / Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Batsman | Shubman Gill (c) | GT | 500+ runs this season; avg 52+ at NMS; GT’s backbone. |
| Batsman | Sai Sudharsan | GT | 501+ runs; century + multiple 50s; crossed 2,000 IPL career runs. |
| Batsman | Jos Buttler (wk) | GT | Big-match pedigree; explosive opener; IPL playoff specialist. |
| Batsman | Vaibhav Sooryavanshi | RR | 29-ball 97 in Eliminator; 500+ runs at SR 233; fastest to 500 IPL runs. |
| Batsman | Yashasvi Jaiswal | RR | India star; captaining in Parag’s absence; needs a big knock. |
| Batsman | Dhruv Jurel (wk) | RR | 325+ runs at avg 40+; 4 fifties; consistent middle-order anchor. |
| Bowler | Kagiso Rabada | GT | 21+ wickets; 69% of wickets at home; dominant at NMS. |
| Bowler | Rashid Khan | GT | 4 wickets vs RR in Match 52; 18+ career NMS wickets; found form late. |
| Bowler | Mohammed Siraj | GT | PP eco 6.92 (2nd-best); dismissed Gill 3 times; pace and swing. |
| Bowler | Jofra Archer | RR | Dismissed Abhishek, Kishan, Head in Eliminator; 21+ IPL 2026 wickets. |
| Bowler | Nandre Burger | RR | New-ball partner for Archer; adds variety with pace. |
| Bowler | Yash Raj Punja | RR | Replaced Bishnoi; young leg-spinner earning his spot. |
| All-Rounder | Jason Holder | GT | Death eco 5.1 (best in IPL 2026); 4 death wickets; batting depth. |
| All-Rounder | Ravindra Jadeja | RR | Struck in his 5th ball in Eliminator; left-arm spin + batting utility. |
Key Player Battles To Watch: GT vs RR Qualifier 2
This winner-takes-all Qualifier 2 features three blockbuster matchups at the world’s largest stadium.
| Battle | GT Player | RR Player | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powerplay Headliner | Kagiso Rabada | Vaibhav Sooryavanshi | Rabada’s 69% home wickets vs Sooryavanshi’s 97 off 29 in Eliminator. |
| Captain vs Assassin | Shubman Gill | Jofra Archer | Archer dismissed Gill 3 times in 6 IPL innings. Gill averages 52+ at NMS. |
| Spin Decider | Rashid Khan | Riyan Parag/Jurel | Rashid took 4 wickets vs RR in Match 52. Parag has SR 90 vs Rashid (dismissed twice). |
GT vs RR: Head-to-Head Record in IPL
GT have completely dominated RR this season, and the overall H2H is firmly in their favour.
| Stat | Detail |
|---|---|
| IPL 2026 Meetings | GT won all 3 league matches against RR |
| Match 52 Result | GT won (Gill & Sudharsan fifties, Rashid 4 wickets) |
| RR Eliminator Result | Beat SRH (Sooryavanshi 97 off 29, Archer 3 wickets) |
| GT Home Record at NMS | Dominant all season; Rabada 69% home wickets |
| Archer vs Gill (Career) | Dismissed 3 times in 6 innings |
| Parag vs Rashid (Career) | SR 90, dismissed twice; Holder dismissed Parag twice |
| Stakes | Winner plays in the IPL 2026 Final at Ahmedabad on June 1 |
NMS Pitch And Conditions: What To Expect
The Narendra Modi Stadium provides a balanced surface, but the 76-metre boundaries are the largest in the IPL.
This favours bowlers, particularly pacers who can hit hard lengths and cramp batters for room.
Average first-innings scores have been around 185-195 at this venue, though GT have defended higher totals with their lethal pace attack.
Dew is expected in the second innings, making chasing the slightly preferred option.
Temperature will be around 35-38 degrees Celsius in the evening. The pressure of a playoff match in front of 130,000 fans adds another dimension entirely.
Probable Playing XIs for GT vs RR Qualifier 2
Here are Probable Playing XI of both Teams:
GT Probable XI
Shubman Gill (c), Sai Sudharsan, Jos Buttler (wk), Nishant Sindhu, Washington Sundar, Jason Holder, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Arshad Khan, Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj
Impact Player: Prasidh Krishna or R Sai Kishore
Note: GT are expected to stick with their settled XI that won 3 of their last 4 home games. The familiarity with NMS conditions is their biggest advantage.
RR Probable XI
Yashasvi Jaiswal (c), Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Donovan Ferreira, Shubham Dubey, Dasun Shanaka, Ravindra Jadeja, Jofra Archer, Nandre Burger, Yash Raj Punja, Brijesh Sharma
Impact Player: Shimron Hetmyer or Ravi Bishnoi
Note: Riyan Parag missed the Eliminator with a hamstring injury and remains doubtful for this match. Jaiswal captained in his absence. If Parag is unfit, RR lose their No.4 and captain, a massive blow in a knockout game.
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Final Verdict: Both Teams Ready For the Ultimate Showdown
Gujarat Titans are favourites with home advantage at NMS, winning all 3 league meetings against RR, and Rashid’s 4-wicket masterclass in their most recent encounter.
However, Sooryavanshi’s 97 off 29 balls in the Eliminator proves RR have the X-factor to beat anyone on any surface. Archer’s dismissal of Abhishek, Kishan, and Head shows he can single-handedly dismantle a top order.
The key question is whether NMS’s 76-metre boundaries can contain Sooryavanshi’s six-hitting, or whether the teenager produces yet another magical innings to send RR to the final.
Regardless of the result, this Friday evening Qualifier 2 at the world’s largest cricket stadium will be one of the defining moments of IPL 2026, with a place in the final on June 1 at stake.
