Gujarat Titans face Rajasthan Royals in the IPL 2026 Qualifier 2 on Friday, May 29, at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur. The winner of this match goes straight to the IPL 2026 Final against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The losing team is knocked out of the tournament immediately.
Rajasthan Royals are coming into this match full of confidence after destroying Sunrisers Hyderabad by 47 runs in the Eliminator. On the other side, Gujarat Titans suffered a heavy 92-run loss to RCB in Qualifier 1 and needed a strong comeback performance.
In this article, we have covered the match details, betting odds, pitch report, head-to-head record, predicted playing XIs, key player battles, Dream11 picks, and our final match prediction.
GT vs RR Qualifier 2 Match Details
Here are all the important details you need to know before the match starts.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Match | Gujarat Titans vs Rajasthan Royals (Qualifier 2) |
| Tournament | Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 |
| Date | Friday, May 29, 2026 |
| Time | 7:30 PM IST |
| Venue | Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur |
| Live Streaming | JioHotstar App and Website |
| TV Broadcast | Star Sports Network |
The match will be played under lights, which means dew is expected to play a big role in the second innings.
GT vs RR Betting Odds
Despite Gujarat Titans finishing higher in the league standings, Rajasthan Royals are the marginal favourites on most major betting platforms. This is largely because of their momentum from the Eliminator win.
| Platform | GT Win Odds | RR Win Odds | Toss Odds (GT) | Toss Odds (RR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1xBet | 1.95 | 1.8 | 1.9 | 1.85 |
| Stake | 1.95 | 1.8 | 1.88 | 1.88 |
| 4RABET | 1.95 | 1.8 | 1.9 | 1.85 |
| BetVibe | 1.95 | 1.8 | 1.88 | 1.88 |
Lower odds for RR means bookmakers see them as more likely to win. However, the gap is quite small, which tells you this match could go either way.
GT vs RR Win Probability
Most prediction models lean slightly towards Gujarat Titans when you look at overall squad balance and bowling depth.
| Team | Win Probability |
|---|---|
| Gujarat Titans | 52% |
| Rajasthan Royals | 48% |
GT’s superior head-to-head record and their stronger bowling lineup in death overs give them a slight statistical edge in the prediction models.
GT vs RR Match Prediction
This is one of those matches where both teams have a genuine chance of winning. Gujarat Titans have one of the most reliable top orders in this season with Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill, and Jos Buttler. They bat deep and their bowling attack is experienced enough to handle knockout pressure.
Rajasthan Royals, though, have been a completely different team in the second half of the tournament. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, the 15-year-old from Bihar, has been nothing short of extraordinary. He smashed 97 off just 29 balls against SRH in the Eliminator and is currently leading the Orange Cap race with 680 runs.
GT’s bowling attack, with Kagiso Rabada, Rashid Khan, Mohammed Siraj, and Prasidh Krishna, is the best they have had in recent years. Rashid Khan has already taken a 4-wicket haul against RR this season in Jaipur. That gives GT a definite tactical edge in middle overs.
Prediction: Gujarat Titans to narrowly defeat Rajasthan Royals and qualify for the IPL 2026 Final.
GT vs RR Pitch Report: Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur
The Mullanpur pitch has been a batter-friendly surface throughout IPL 2026. Pacers get some early bounce and seam movement, but the pitch flattens out quickly once the ball gets older. Spinners get minimal turn, though wrist spinners like Rashid find some grip in the middle overs.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Pitch Type | Balanced, batting-friendly surface with consistent bounce |
| Average 1st Innings Score | 180 to 200 runs |
| Pace Bowling | Helpful early with seam movement and carry |
| Spin Bowling | Minimal turn; wrist spin finds some grip in middle overs |
| Dew Factor | Moderate to high; significantly impacts second innings |
| Toss Advantage | Chasing teams are slightly favoured |
The Eliminator between RR and SRH played at this same ground saw Rajasthan post 243 runs in the first innings. Teams batting first should aim for at least 200 to stay in the game.
GT vs RR Head-to-Head Record
The overall head-to-head record strongly favours Gujarat Titans. However, Rajasthan has been improving in recent meetings.
| Statistic | Result |
|---|---|
| Total Matches Played | 10 |
| Gujarat Titans Wins | 7 |
| Rajasthan Royals Wins | 3 |
| Tied or No Result | 0 |
In IPL 2026 league stage, both teams won one match each against the other. RR won a close 6-run game in Ahmedabad thanks to a match-winning spell from Ravi Bishnoi. GT won the Jaipur fixture more convincingly. This will be their first playoff meeting since the 2022 IPL Final.
Predicted Playing XIs
Both teams are expected to go in with their strongest available sides. No major injury concerns have been reported for either team heading into this match.
Gujarat Titans Predicted XI
GT will rely on their batting depth upfront and trust their bowling attack to defend or chase down totals.
- Sai Sudharsan (LHB)
- Shubman Gill (RHB, Captain)
- Jos Buttler (RHB, Wicketkeeper)
- Washington Sundar (LHB / Off-Spin)
- Jason Holder (RHB / Fast-Medium)
- Rahul Tewatia (LHB / Leg-Spin)
- Rashid Khan (RHB / Leg-Spin)
- Kagiso Rabada (RHB / Fast)
- Mohammed Siraj (RHB / Fast-Medium)
- Prasidh Krishna (RHB / Fast-Medium)
- Arshad Khan (LHB / Left-arm Fast-Medium)
Impact Player Options: Shahrukh Khan or Glenn Phillips
Rajasthan Royals Predicted XI
RR have a very attacking top order and solid lower-middle batting to back them up in case of an early collapse.
- Yashasvi Jaiswal (LHB)
- Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (LHB)
- Dhruv Jurel (RHB, Wicketkeeper)
- Riyan Parag (RHB, Captain)
- Donovan Ferreira (RHB / Off-Spin)
- Dasun Shanaka (RHB / Medium)
- Ravindra Jadeja (LHB / Left-arm Orthodox)
- Jofra Archer (RHB / Express Fast)
- Nandre Burger (LHB / Left-arm Fast)
- Brijesh Sharma (RHB / Fast-Medium)
- Yash Raj Punja (RHB / Left-arm Orthodox)
Impact Player Options: Ravi Bishnoi or Shubham Dubey
Key Players to Watch
A few players from both sides could completely change the course of this match with one big performance.
Gujarat Titans
- Sai Sudharsan: He has scored 652 runs this season at an average of 46.57 and has crossed fifty in five of his last six innings. He is GT’s most reliable batter and controls the tempo from the top.
- Kagiso Rabada: He has taken 26 wickets in IPL 2026 and is GT’s main wicket-taking weapon. His pace and ability to bowl accurate yorkers in death overs make him dangerous.
- Rashid Khan: He has 19 wickets this season and already demolished RR with a 4-wicket haul earlier. His middle-over control is the key to GT’s bowling plan.
Rajasthan Royals
- Vaibhav Sooryavanshi: The 15-year-old is leading the Orange Cap race with 680 runs at a strike rate of 242.86. He smashed 97 off 29 balls in the Eliminator and is easily the most destructive batter in this tournament.
- Jofra Archer: He has picked up 24 wickets across 15 matches. His express pace at this bouncy Mullanpur surface makes him a major threat against GT’s top order in the powerplay.
- Yashasvi Jaiswal: He has scored 426 runs at a strike rate of 153.24. Jaiswal plays a quieter but equally important role at the top, holding one end while Sooryavanshi attacks from the other.
Key Battles That Could Decide the Match
These head-to-head matchups during the game will have a huge say in which team walks into the final.
Shubman Gill vs Jofra Archer
Gill loves width and predictable bounce to play his elegant cover drives and short-arm jabs. Archer will try to cramp him with high-pace, hard lengths targeting the stumps at speeds above 145 km/h. This battle in the powerplay will set the tone for GT’s innings.
Rashid Khan vs Riyan Parag
Parag has historically struggled against top-quality leg-spin early in his innings, particularly against the googly. Rashid will bowl a tight stump line and use his variations to restrict Parag’s run-scoring options during the middle overs.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi vs Mohammed Siraj
Siraj relies on early swing and accurate lines to left-handers. But Sooryavanshi simply clears his front leg and dispatches good-length balls over the boundary. Siraj’s ability to execute sharp yorkers consistently will be his best weapon against the youngster.
Toss Prediction
Dew is likely to settle on the outfield during the second innings at Mullanpur. A wet ball is harder to grip and easier to hit, which makes defending a total very difficult. Teams chasing under the lights have a clear advantage at this venue.
Toss Prediction: The team winning the toss will choose to bowl first.
GT vs RR Dream11 Prediction
If you are playing on Dream11 or My11Circle for this Qualifier 2, here are the best picks to consider based on current form and match conditions.
Captain and Vice-Captain Picks
- Captain: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (Highest ceiling given his current form and strike rate of 242.86)
- Vice-Captain: Sai Sudharsan (Most consistent batter in this tournament with a low dot-ball percentage)
Top Fantasy Picks
- Wicketkeepers: Jos Buttler, Dhruv Jurel
- Batters: Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal
- All-Rounders: Ravindra Jadeja, Jason Holder
- Bowlers: Rashid Khan, Jofra Archer, Kagiso Rabada, Nandre Burger
These picks balance form, match conditions, and point-scoring potential. Always check the confirmed playing XI before locking your team.
Best Betting Tips for GT vs RR
These tips are based on current form, pitch data, and player statistics. Always bet responsibly and within your limits.
- Match Winner: Gujarat Titans to win (better bowling depth in knockout conditions)
- Player Performance: Sai Sudharsan to score 30 or more runs
- Boundary Markets: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to hit the most sixes in the match
- Aggregate Runs: Total match runs to go over 390.5 (Mullanpur average first innings total is 180-200 plus expected dew impact)
- Bowling Markets: Kagiso Rabada to take 2 or more wickets
Do not treat betting tips as guaranteed outcomes. T20 cricket is unpredictable and results can change in a few balls.
Why GT Have the Slight Edge
Gujarat Titans look slightly stronger on paper for this specific match. Here is why most analysts lean towards them.
- Their bowling attack with Rabada, Siraj, Krishna, and Rashid is more disciplined and experienced in knockout cricket.
- GT’s core players have played in multiple deep IPL playoff runs and tend to stay calm under pressure.
- Rashid Khan’s economy rate stays under 6.00 in the majority of his outings, which is vital in controlling RR’s aggressive batters.
- They have a better overall head-to-head record against RR and won the Jaipur fixture convincingly this season.
- GT’s batting lineup has more options across positions in case the top order fails.
That said, Rajasthan Royals are not a team you can write off. Sooryavanshi alone can change this match in six overs.
Conclusion
This is a match that could genuinely go either way, and that is what makes it special. Gujarat Titans carry better bowling resources and playoff experience, while Rajasthan Royals have arguably the most explosive batting lineup in IPL history right now.
If Rashid Khan picks up an early wicket and GT’s top order gives them a solid platform, they should edge past RR. But if Sooryavanshi gets going in the powerplay, all bets are off.
Final Prediction: Gujarat Titans to defeat Rajasthan Royals and advance to the IPL 2026 Final against RCB in Ahmedabad. If you are watching the match live, tune in on JioHotstar or Star Sports. Who do you think wins? Drop your prediction in the comments.
Kiran is a cricket analyst and writer with strong expertise in the Indian Premier League and modern cricket. He closely follows match situations, player performances, team strategies, and season trends to deliver clear and accurate insights. Passionate about the game, Kiran enjoys exploring emerging talents, tracking auction movements, and sharing timely updates related to IPL and competitive cricket.
