Both teams know there is no room for error in the knockout encounter. Gujarat Titans enter the match after suffering a defeat against defending champions RCB in Qualifier 1, while Rajasthan Royals kept their title hopes alive with a crucial victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad.
The spotlight will firmly be on Rajasthan’s young batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who played one of the standout knocks of the tournament in the previous game. The opener smashed a sensational 97 off just 28 deliveries against Sunrisers Hyderabad and nearly single-handedly changed the game. Gujarat’s bowling attack, featuring Mohammed Siraj, Rashid Khan and Kagiso Rabada, will need a strong plan to stop the explosive batter early.
Rajasthan Royals also come into the match riding a wave of confidence after dramatically qualifying for the playoffs with a must-win victory over Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium in their final league match. Led by Riyan Parag, the Royals will hope players like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ravindra Jadeja and Jofra Archer can deliver in the crucial clash.
For Gujarat Titans, captain Shubman Gill will once again carry the responsibility at the top alongside experienced names such as Jos Buttler, Rashid Khan and Washington Sundar. The 2022 champions are aiming to return to the IPL final and reclaim the trophy they won in their debut season.
Interestingly, both franchises are chasing their second IPL title. Rajasthan Royals won the inaugural IPL edition in 2008, while Gujarat Titans lifted the trophy in 2022.
The match will begin at 7:30 PM IST and will be broadcast live on Star Sports channels. Fans can also stream the encounter live on JioHotstar.
With a place in the IPL 2026 final at stake, fans can expect a thrilling contest between two determined teams packed with match-winners.
Squads:
Gujarat Titans: Shubman Gill (c), Jos Buttler (wk), Kumar Kushagra, Glenn Phillips, Rashid Khan, Manav Suthar, Nishant Sindhu, Washington Sundar, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Kagiso Rabada, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore, Jayant Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Ashok Sharma, Jason Holder, Tom Banton, Luke Wood, Sai Sudharsan, Rahul Tewatia, Arshad Khan, Anuj Rawat, Kulwant Khejroliya, Gurnoor Brar, M Shahrukh Khan
Rajasthan Royals: Riyan Parag (c), Dhruv Jurel (wk), Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ravindra Jadeja, Donovan Ferreira, Brijesh Sharma, Jofra Archer, Shimron Hetmyer, Shubham Dubey, Dasun Shanaka, Nandre Burger, Ravi Bishnoi, Sandeep Sharma, Lhuan-Dre Pretorius, Ravi Singh, Aman Rao Perala, Adam Milne, Kuldeep Sen, and Kwena Maphaka.
