Rajasthan Royals are slight favorites to beat Gujarat Titans in IPL 2026 Qualifier 2 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, New Chandigarh, on May 29, 2026.
RR carries a 55% win probability. They demolished SRH by 47 runs in the Eliminator, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi smashed a record-breaking 97 off 29 balls with 12 sixes, and they hold a 4-0 unbeaten record at this exact venue.
GT carries the Q1 safety net but a shattered confidence. A 92-run humiliation by RCB in Qualifier 1 saw them bowled out for 162 chasing 255. Only Rahul Tewatia’s 68 showed fight.
The winner faces Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL 2026 Final at Ahmedabad on May 31. The loser goes home. Knockout cricket at its most ruthless.
GT vs RR Qualifier 2 Direct Odds
Rajasthan Royals carry the IPL’s most destructive batter in Sooryavanshi (680 runs, SR 242.85, 65 sixes this season), Jofra Archer’s 24 wickets, and an unbeaten record at Mullanpur across four IPL 2026 matches.
Gujarat Titans carry the tournament’s highest wicket-taker in Kagiso Rabada (26 wickets), the prolific Gill-Sudharsan opening pair (1,270 combined runs), and Rashid Khan’s proven record of 4/33 against RR in their last meeting.
| Team | Win Probability | Decimal Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Rajasthan Royals | 53-55% | 1.75 – 1.85 |
| Gujarat Titans | 45-47% | 2.00 – 2.20 |
RR are backed at 1.75-1.85, reflecting Sooryavanshi’s once-in-a-generation form, the Eliminator momentum, Archer’s powerplay demolition of SRH, and a perfect record at the neutral venue of Mullanpur this season.
GT offer value at 2.00-2.20 for punters backing the tournament’s best bowling attack, the Gill-Sudharsan partnership that has produced 1,270 runs between them, and a team that dominated the head-to-head 7-4 across all meetings before this season’s shift.
GT vs RR Qualifier 2 Info Table
| Match | Gujarat Titans vs Rajasthan Royals |
|---|---|
| Match Number | IPL 2026 Qualifier 2 |
| Date & Time | Friday, May 29, 2026, 7:30 PM IST |
| Venue | Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, New Chandigarh |
| GT Captain | Shubman Gill |
| RR Captain | Riyan Parag |
| Live Streaming | JioHotstar App & Website |
| TV Telecast | Star Sports Network |
| Stakes | Winner qualifies for IPL 2026 Final vs RCB at Ahmedabad (May 31) |
| League Meetings | RR won by 6 runs (Apr 4, Ahmedabad) / GT won by 77 runs (May 9, Jaipur) |
Key Context: This is the second time these teams meet in an IPL playoff. GT beat RR in the IPL 2022 Final at Ahmedabad, where David Miller hit three back-to-back sixes off Prasidh Krishna to win the title. RR will carry that memory alongside the momentum of Sooryavanshi’s Eliminator destruction. GT have an extra day’s rest compared to RR, who played the Eliminator just two days ago.
GT vs RR Toss Prediction Odds
Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, New Chandigarh, has been one of the highest-scoring venues in IPL 2026. The average first innings score across five matches this season is approximately 220, confirming this is a batter’s paradise where bowlers survive rather than dominate.
A target of 223 has already been successfully chased at this ground in IPL 2026. That confirms even massive totals are not safe here. The true-bounce surface and short boundaries produce consistent run-scoring from the first ball to the twentieth over. Any total below 200 at this venue is almost certainly chased.
The pitch may show wear after hosting the Eliminator two days earlier. This is a critical factor. If the surface has deteriorated, it could offer more grip for spinners and more variable bounce for pace bowlers. Rashid Khan and Ravi Bishnoi both benefit from a worn pitch. A fresh surface favors batters; a used surface favors the team with the better spin attack.
In IPL playoff history, the team batting first has a slight edge across 19 seasons. The overall knockout record is 36-35 in favor of the team batting first. Both playoff games in IPL 2026 so far have been won by the team batting first. RCB posted 254 and won Qualifier 1. RR posted 243 and won the Eliminator. In high-stakes cricket, knowing your total creates psychological pressure on the chasing side.
Dew could arrive in the second innings of this evening match. If conditions mirror previous Mullanpur evening games, the ball becomes slippery for bowlers from over 12-14 onwards. This would reduce the effectiveness of Rashid Khan and Bishnoi in the back end, potentially tilting the advantage toward whichever team bats second.
Weather: There is a chance of rain around Chandigarh, with scattered showers possible in the afternoon. However, the evening forecast suggests clearing skies by match time. Temperatures around 28-32°C with moderate humidity. A full match is the most likely outcome.
Toss Impact at New Chandigarh
| Factor | Impact |
|---|---|
| Average first innings score (IPL 2026) | ~220; highest chase of 223 completed |
| Playoff trend (IPL 2026) | Both Q1 and Eliminator won by team batting first |
| All-time IPL knockout record | 36-35 in favor of batting first |
| Pitch character | True bounce; high-scoring; may show wear from Eliminator |
| Boundary dimensions | Short enough for consistent six-hitting at this altitude |
| RR record at venue (IPL 2026) | Won 4 of 4 matches at Mullanpur |
| GT record at venue (IPL 2026) | Won 1, lost 2 from 3 matches |
| Dew factor | Possible from over 12-14; reduces spinner grip |
| Weather | Slight rain risk in afternoon; clearing by evening |
| Expected toss decision | Bat First (knockout pressure favors setting a total) |
Toss Prediction: This is the most fascinating toss call of the playoffs. RR will likely prefer to bat first if they win the toss, backing Sooryavanshi to set an intimidating total the way he did in the Eliminator with 243/8. Gill may also choose to bat first after GT’s disastrous chase of 255 in Qualifier 1. Bat first from whoever wins the toss, though the dew factor could tempt a bowl-first decision.
GT vs RR Players Odds
This Qualifier 2 pits the most individually destructive batter in the tournament against the most complete bowling attack. Sooryavanshi’s 65 sixes and SR of 242.85 face Rabada’s 26 wickets and Rashid Khan’s 4/33 against RR three weeks ago. The powerplay battle between Rabada and Sooryavanshi is the most anticipated individual contest of the entire IPL 2026 playoffs.
Gujarat Titans Key Players
| Player | Role | Key Stats |
|---|---|---|
| Sai Sudharsan | Opening Batsman | 652 runs this season; Orange Cap contender; scored 55 in the 77-run win over RR in Jaipur. |
| Shubman Gill | Captain / Opening Batsman | 618 runs this season; 614 career runs against RR, the most vs any IPL opposition; scored 84 off 50 in the 77-run win over RR. |
| Kagiso Rabada | Lead Pacer | 26 wickets in IPL 2026, the most by any bowler; 18 powerplay wickets, a record for a single season; dismissed Jaiswal 3 times in 27 balls for 27 runs. |
| Rashid Khan | Wrist Spinner | Took 4/33 against RR in Jaipur just three weeks ago; economy of 6.52 against RR across the rivalry, the best by any bowler; keeps Parag to SR 90 and Jadeja to SR 72. |
| Jos Buttler | Middle-Order Batsman | 498 runs at SR 159 this season; former RR player for 9 IPL seasons; scored 109 off 56 balls against Archer across all T20s. |
Rajasthan Royals Key Players
| Player | Role | Key Stats |
|---|---|---|
| Vaibhav Sooryavanshi | Opening Batsman | 680 runs at SR 242.85 with 65 sixes this season, breaking Chris Gayle’s record of 59 from 2012; scored 97 off 29 balls in the Eliminator (12 sixes, 5 fours, SR 334.48); 490 powerplay runs, the most in any IPL season ever. |
| Jofra Archer | Lead Pacer | 24 wickets in 15 matches; took 3 wickets in 3 powerplay overs in the Eliminator to break SRH’s chase; dismissed Gill 3 times in 30 balls for 36 runs across T20s. |
| Dhruv Jurel | WK-Batsman | 332 runs at avg 36.89; scored a 21-ball 50 in the Eliminator alongside Sooryavanshi. |
| Riyan Parag | Captain / Batsman | RR’s captain who returned from a hamstring injury to lead the team through the playoffs. |
| Ravindra Jadeja | Spin All-rounder | Consistent performances with bat and ball throughout IPL 2026; scored 38 off 25 and took 1 wicket in the 77-run loss to GT at Jaipur. |
GT vs RR Match Prediction – Who Will Win
Rajasthan Royals are predicted to win this Qualifier 2.
Sooryavanshi’s record-breaking Eliminator performance, Archer’s powerplay dominance, a perfect 4-0 record at this venue, and the raw momentum of a team that just demolished SRH give RR the edge in this knockout contest.
GT carries the stronger bowling attack and the proven Gill-Sudharsan partnership. But a 92-run thrashing by RCB in Qualifier 1 shattered their confidence, their middle order remains brittle, and they carry a 1-2 record at Mullanpur this season compared to RR’s flawless 4-0.
Why RR Holds the Edge
- Sooryavanshi’s 680 runs at SR 242.85 with 65 sixes represent the single most destructive individual season in IPL history: He broke Chris Gayle’s record of 59 sixes from 2012 and has scored 490 powerplay runs, the most ever. At New Chandigarh’s flat surface, where even good bowling is punished, Sooryavanshi’s ability to score 50-plus before the powerplay ends means RR reach 80-100 in the first six overs against any bowling attack.
- RR have won all four matches at New Chandigarh in IPL 2026 while GT have won just one of three: Venue familiarity matters in knockout cricket. RR played the Eliminator here 48 hours ago and know every dimension, every angle, every wind pattern at this ground. GT’s 1-2 record here means they approach this surface with less confidence than their opponents.
- Archer’s three-wicket Eliminator powerplay spell and his specific record against Gill (dismissed 3 times in 30 balls for 36 runs) give RR the bowling matchup that matters most: If Archer removes Gill in the first three overs, GT’s chase becomes dependent on Sudharsan alone. Against Archer’s pace and bounce on this surface, Gill’s technical vulnerability outside off stump creates a weakness RR will target immediately.
- The momentum gap between these teams is enormous: RR come off a 47-run demolition in the Eliminator with Sooryavanshi’s 97 still ringing. GT come off a 92-run humiliation in Qualifier 1 where only Tewatia showed fight. In knockout cricket, where mental state determines execution under pressure, RR’s confidence vastly exceeds GT’s.
GT’s Challenges
- The 92-run loss to RCB in Qualifier 1 exposed GT’s biggest weakness: batting collapses when chasing big totals: They were bowled out for 162 chasing 255. Their middle order of Washington Sundar, Nishant Sindhu, and Shahrukh Khan has consistently failed to provide the 50-run contributions that winning knockout chases require. Against Archer and Burger, who are fresh from demolishing SRH, that same middle order faces an equally challenging bowling attack.
- GT’s powerplay scoring rate of 9.66 puts them in the bottom half of IPL 2026: Against Sooryavanshi’s 490 powerplay runs and RR’s tournament-best run rate of 11.66 in the first six overs, GT start every game with a powerplay deficit. Gill and Sudharsan’s conservative approach has worked in the league stage but knockout cricket against RR’s explosive opening demands they match intensity from ball one.
- Rashid Khan’s 4/33 against RR three weeks ago may not repeat on a potentially worn Mullanpur pitch: In Jaipur, the pitch offered significant grip. At New Chandigarh, where the surface has already hosted the Eliminator two days earlier, the pitch behavior may differ significantly. If dew arrives, Rashid’s primary weapon (grip for his googly) diminishes sharply from over 12 onwards.
- GT have an extra day’s rest but carry the psychological burden of consecutive playoff failures: Losing the 2023 Final, finishing third in 2024, and now suffering a 92-run defeat in Qualifier 1 means GT enter this match without a single positive recent playoff memory. RR’s Eliminator win, by contrast, is 48 hours old and still fueling adrenaline.
Match Prediction: Rajasthan Royals to win.
GT vs RR Head To Head (Overall Head To Head Data)
GT dominate the all-time head-to-head record 7-3 across 10 IPL meetings, making this one of the most lopsided short rivalries in the tournament.
| Statistic | Record |
|---|---|
| Total Matches Played | 10 |
| GT Wins | 7 |
| RR Wins | 3 |
| IPL 2026 League Meeting 1 | RR won by 6 runs (Apr 4, Ahmedabad) |
| IPL 2026 League Meeting 2 | GT won by 77 runs (May 9, Jaipur) |
| IPL 2022 Final | GT won by 7 wickets at Ahmedabad |
| Gill vs RR (career) | 614 runs, the most vs any IPL opposition |
| Rashid Khan vs RR | 11 wickets at economy 6.52; 4/33 in last meeting |
| Rabada IPL 2026 wickets | 26 (Purple Cap leader; 18 in powerplay) |
| Sooryavanshi IPL 2026 | 680 runs, SR 242.85, 65 sixes (all-time IPL season record) |
| Archer vs Gill | Dismissed 3 times in 30 balls for 36 runs |
The defining statistical battle heading into this Qualifier 2 is Rabada versus Sooryavanshi. Rabada has 18 powerplay wickets this season, the most ever in a single IPL campaign. Sooryavanshi has 490 powerplay runs, also the most ever. When the IPL’s best powerplay bowler faces the IPL’s best powerplay batter, the first four overs determine whether GT’s experienced bowling attack controls the contest or Sooryavanshi’s 65-six season extends to 70-plus.
Suggested Reads:
Final Prediction: Rajasthan Royals Hold the Knockout Edge
GT vs RR Qualifier 2 at New Chandigarh is the gateway to the IPL 2026 Final. One team advances to face RCB at Ahmedabad on Saturday. The other team’s season ends tonight.
Rajasthan Royals hold the momentum, the venue record, and the most destructive individual force in IPL history. Sooryavanshi’s 680 runs at SR 242.85 and 65 sixes in a single season are numbers that may never be matched. Archer’s powerplay wicket-taking, Jurel’s stability, and Jadeja’s all-round contributions give RR a squad built for knockout cricket. Their 4-0 record at Mullanpur provides the home-ground confidence that matters when every ball carries elimination pressure.
Gujarat Titans hold the superior bowling attack and the proven big-match partnership of Gill and Sudharsan. Rabada’s 26 wickets, Rashid’s 4/33 against RR three weeks ago, and Buttler’s 498 runs against his former team give GT genuine match-winning weapons. Their experience of winning the IPL 2022 Final against this exact opponent means they know how to beat RR when it matters most.
Expect a first innings score in the 210-230 range tonight. New Chandigarh’s flat surface continues producing high totals, though the worn pitch from the Eliminator may introduce variable bounce. The team batting first holds the slight advantage in knockout cricket. Sooryavanshi scores 60-plus in the powerplay. Archer takes two early wickets in the chase. RR post 225, GT’s chase stalls at 190 when Rashid Khan cannot rescue the middle order a second time, and Rajasthan Royals advance to face RCB in the IPL 2026 Final at Ahmedabad.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Betting involves financial risk. Please gamble responsibly.
