Gujarat Titans (GT) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) clash in the IPL 2026 Qualifier 2 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, on May 29, 2026. The winner earns the right to face defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL 2026 Final on May 31 at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. The loser goes home. No second chances from here.
GT arrive on the back of a bruising 92-run defeat against RCB in Qualifier 1, where their entire batting unit collapsed while chasing 255. Rahul Tewatia’s lone 68 barely saved the scorecard from embarrassment. That result must sting, but GT remain a dangerous side with arguably the tournament’s most complete bowling attack.
RR, on the other hand, enter this match riding a wave of momentum. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s 97 off 29 balls against SRH in the Eliminator is already being spoken of as one of the great IPL playoff innings. Jofra Archer backed it up with ball in hand, and RR sealed a 47-run win to set up this clash. Crucially, RR have a perfect 4-0 record at Mullanpur in IPL 2026, while GT have never played here this season. That familiarity gap matters in a knockout.
IPL 2026 Qualifier 2 GT vs RR Match Info
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Match | Qualifier 2, IPL 2026 (TATA IPL) |
| Teams | Gujarat Titans vs Rajasthan Royals |
| Date | Friday, May 29, 2026 |
| Time | 7:30 PM IST |
| Venue | Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, New Chandigarh |
| GT Captain | Shubman Gill |
| RR Captain | Riyan Parag |
| GT League Finish | 2nd (18 points, 9W-5L) |
| RR League Finish | 4th (16 points, 8W-6L) |
| Live Broadcast | Star Sports Network |
| Live Streaming | JioHotstar |
| Winner Advances To | IPL 2026 Final (May 31, Ahmedabad vs RCB) |
IPL 2026 Qualifier 2 Odds for GT vs RR
The betting market has swung firmly toward RR, and the numbers reflect it. Momentum, venue familiarity, and Sooryavanshi’s incandescent form make Riyan Parag’s side the clear favourites heading into this playoff encounter.
| Platform | GT Win Odds | RR Win Odds | Toss Odds (GT) | Toss Odds (RR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1xBet | 2.10 | 1.75 | 1.88 | 1.88 |
| Stake | 2.05 | 1.80 | 1.85 | 1.90 |
| 4RABET | 2.08 | 1.78 | 1.88 | 1.88 |
| BetVibe | 2.00 | 1.82 | 1.90 | 1.85 |
IPL 2026 Qualifier 2 Toss Prediction for GT vs RR
Both captains will want to bowl first here. The logic is the same as every match at Mullanpur this season.
Three of four IPL 2026 matches at this ground were won by the team bowling first. The average first-innings score of 214 confirms that batting is a privilege at this venue, not a struggle. But it is the dew factor that truly decides the toss decision.
From the 12th over of the second innings onward, the ball gets noticeably heavier and slippery. Spinners cannot grip it. Yorkers become full tosses. The quick Mullanpur outfield only amplifies the advantage for the batting side. RR have navigated all four of these Mullanpur chases this season, which means they understand the venue patterns better than GT ever could at this stage.
RR also have the stronger recent form, which typically gives the toss-winning captain more confidence in their bowling. Shubman Gill, having never played here in 2026, may be less certain of conditions.
Toss Prediction: The toss winner will opt to bowl first.
GT Predicted Playing XI for IPL 2026 Qualifier 2
| Rank | Player | Role | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sai Sudharsan | Batter (Opener) | 652 runs in IPL 2026; elegant left-hander |
| 2 | Shubman Gill (c) | Batter (Opener) | 618 runs this season; 614 career runs vs RR |
| 3 | Jos Buttler (wk) | WK-Batter | 498 runs at SR 159; faces former franchise |
| 4 | Washington Sundar | All-rounder | Spin and lower-order batting contribution |
| 5 | Nishant Sindhu | All-rounder | Provides batting depth and off-spin option |
| 6 | Jason Holder | All-rounder | 15 wickets at best economy rate (7.63) in GT attack |
| 7 | Rashid Khan | Bowler | 19 wickets; four-wicket haul vs RR in league stage |
| 8 | Arshad Khan | Bowler | Left-arm pace; death-over option |
| 9 | Kagiso Rabada | Bowler | Joint-leading wicket-taker; 26 wickets, powerplay specialist |
| 10 | Mohammed Siraj | Bowler | 17 wickets; swing and seam throughout |
| 11 | Prasidh Krishna | Bowler | Right-arm pace; powerplay and death utility |
| 12 (Impact) | Rahul Tewatia | All-rounder | Only GT batter to stand firm in Q1 (68 runs); finisher |
Key Strength: GT’s bowling attack is the single biggest reason they finished second in the league stage. Rabada and Siraj in the powerplay, Rashid in the middle overs, and Holder at the death form a four-pronged threat that no batting lineup can take lightly. If Vaibhav Sooryavanshi can be dismissed inside the powerplay, GT’s bowling has every chance of restricting RR to a chaseable target.
RR Predicted Playing XI for IPL 2026 Qualifier 2
| Rank | Player | Role | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vaibhav Sooryavanshi | Batter (Opener) | Orange Cap holder; 583 runs, SR 232, 53 sixes |
| 2 | Yashasvi Jaiswal | Batter (Opener) | India international; capable of big partnership |
| 3 | Dhruv Jurel (wk) | WK-Batter | Composed under pressure; gritty innings in Eliminator |
| 4 | Riyan Parag (c) | All-rounder | 272 runs, 2 wickets; leads with composure in knockouts |
| 5 | Shimron Hetmyer | Batter | West Indian finisher; hits big in the death overs |
| 6 | Dasun Shanaka | All-rounder | Sam Curran’s replacement; all-round contribution |
| 7 | Ravindra Jadeja | All-rounder | 221 runs + 10 wickets; brings IPL playoff experience |
| 8 | Jofra Archer | Bowler | 21 wickets in 14 matches; pace enforcer |
| 9 | Ravi Bishnoi | Bowler | Leg-spin with lethal googly; 9 wickets in IPL 2026 |
| 10 | Nandre Burger | Bowler | South African quick; 9 wickets in 10 matches |
| 11 | Tushar Deshpande | Bowler | Right-arm pace; death-over backup |
| 12 (Impact) | Donovan Ferreira | All-rounder | Off-spin and useful batting; scored 50+ vs SRH earlier |
Key Absence: Sam Curran was ruled out of the entire IPL 2026 season due to injury. Dasun Shanaka has taken his spot as the overseas all-rounder and has adapted well to the role.
Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium Pitch Report, IPL 2026
This ground rewards batters from ball one and gets progressively more accommodating as the match develops. Understanding that pattern is the key to reading any contest here.
- Surface: The pitch is built on black and red soil, offering consistent bounce and true carry. The ball comes onto the bat cleanly, which is why stroke-makers thrive here. There is no uneven bounce to worry about, and timing the ball is genuinely easy compared to most Indian venues.
- Average Score: The average first-innings score in IPL 2026 at this venue is 214. Any team posting below 200 is likely to lose. Totals in the 220-240 range are not unusual.
- Pace vs Spin: Pacers get some assistance with the new ball in the first two to three overs due to the carry and bounce. After that, the surface flattens. Spinners find some grip and turn in the middle overs, particularly in the first innings. But dew in the second innings neutralises that advantage rapidly.
- Boundaries: Square boundaries measure approximately 67 metres and straight boundaries around 70 metres. The outfield is lightning-fast, meaning mishits frequently reach the rope. Sixes come in clusters here.
- Key Factor: Dew is the decisive variable. From overs 12 to 14 of the second innings onward, the ball becomes slippery. Bowlers struggle with their grips, spinners lose their turn, and chasing teams gain a structural advantage. RR have mastered this pattern at Mullanpur with a 4-0 record.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Stadium | Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium |
| Location | Mullanpur, New Chandigarh |
| Capacity | 38,000 |
| Pitch Type | True surface, consistent bounce, batting-friendly |
| Average 1st Innings Score (IPL 2026) | 214 |
| Boundary Size | ~67m (square), ~70m (straight) |
| Best Strategy | Bat second (dew factor, chasing advantage) |
Mullanpur Weather Report, May 29, 2026
Good news for cricket. Complicated news for bowlers defending a total in the second innings.
The forecast is for clear skies with zero chance of rain. Temperatures are expected to ease considerably compared to the daytime heat, making conditions pleasant for players and spectators alike by match time. The evening will feel significantly cooler than the afternoon peak.
| Weather Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Condition | Clear skies, no rain forecast |
| Daytime High | 42°C |
| Evening Temperature | 25°C to 30°C during match hours |
| Humidity | Moderate (~45-55%) |
| Wind Speed | Light, 8-12 km/h |
| Cloud Cover | Minimal |
| Dew Factor | Heavy dew expected from ~12th over of the 2nd innings |
| Rain Probability | 0% during match hours |
| Match Interruption Risk | None. A full 40-over contest is guaranteed. |
The cooler evening conditions compared to the previous Qualifier 1 in Dharamsala could benefit the fielding side slightly in the first innings. However, the dew from the 12th to 14th over of the second innings will still make defending totals extremely difficult.
Dream11 Team for GT vs RR
GT vs RR Head-to-Head: Last 5 Matches
Overall Head-to-Head (IPL History):
| Matches Played | GT Wins | RR Wins | No Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 7 | 3 | 0 |
GT lead the all-time head-to-head comfortably. However, this rivalry has become significantly tighter since IPL 2025, with the two sides splitting results evenly at 2-2 across the last two seasons.
Last 5 Matches:
| Match | Date | Winner | Margin | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IPL 2026 | May 9, 2026 | GT | 77 runs | Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur |
| IPL 2026 | April 4, 2026 | RR | 6 runs | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad |
| IPL 2025 | April 28, 2025 | RR | 8 wickets | Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur |
| IPL 2025 | April 9, 2025 | GT | 58 runs | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad |
| IPL 2024 | April 10, 2024 | GT | 3 wickets | Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur |
Rivalry Highlights Worth Knowing:
- In their first IPL 2026 meeting in Ahmedabad, RR won by just 6 runs in a tight contest, showing they can match GT when conditions favour them.
- In the second league meeting in Jaipur on May 9, GT turned the tables emphatically, winning by 77 runs. Rashid Khan’s four-wicket haul dismantled RR’s middle order and ended their realistic shot at a top-three finish.
- GT and RR met in the 2022 IPL Final at the Narendra Modi Stadium, where GT won their maiden title with a dominant chase.
- Shubman Gill has accumulated more IPL runs against RR than against any other opposition, making him the statistical danger man in this fixture.
- Sooryavanshi’s record-breaking Eliminator innings of 97 off 29 balls broke Chris Gayle’s all-time record for most sixes in an IPL season and stands as the most memorable playoff innings of IPL 2026 so far.
Our Prediction: RR Has Better Chances to Win Against GT in IPL 2026 Qualifier 2
Bottom line up front: RR win, posting a big total and defending it, or chasing down 210-plus with Sooryavanshi leading the charge.
Why RR Can Win
The form argument is simply overwhelming. RR have won three consecutive matches and arrive here with the season’s most in-form batter and one of its most dangerous bowlers. Sooryavanshi’s 97 off 29 balls against SRH at this very ground was not a fluke. It was a 15-year-old playing with a maturity and destructive power that defies every expectation. On this surface, with dew likely from the 12th over onward, he gives RR a head start that few opponents can overcome.
Jofra Archer’s record of 21 wickets across 14 matches at an economy of 8.76 makes him the standout powerplay threat in this game. GT’s top three struggled against pace in Qualifier 1, and Archer at the peak of his powers is a more consistent threat than Bhuvneshwar Kumar. If he removes Gill or Sudharsan inside the powerplay, GT’s chase becomes extremely steep.
RR’s 4-0 record at Mullanpur this season is not accidental. They understand this ground. They know when the dew arrives, how the outfield plays, and which bowling lengths are most effective under lights. GT have never played here in IPL 2026, which creates a genuine tactical disadvantage in a one-off knockout match.
Ravindra Jadeja’s presence in the middle order adds a dimension that RR’s earlier playoff squads often lacked. His 221 runs and 10 wickets this season demonstrate that he remains a match-shaping all-rounder, and his experience of multiple IPL finals provides the dressing room with something Sooryavanshi cannot yet offer.
Why GT Can Win
GT’s bowling attack is the most balanced in the tournament and the primary reason they belong in this conversation at all. Kagiso Rabada’s 26 wickets make him the joint-leading wicket-taker. Rashid Khan’s 19 wickets include a four-wicket haul against this RR batting lineup in their May 9 meeting. Mohammed Siraj and Jason Holder give GT four reliable options throughout all 20 overs.
Crucially, if Sooryavanshi can be dismissed early, RR’s batting becomes considerably more conventional. Yashasvi Jaiswal has been inconsistent this season, and the middle order of Jurel, Parag, and Shanaka, while capable, does not carry the same firepower as RR’s opening pair.
Shubman Gill is carrying the weight of GT’s batting hopes, but he is precisely the batter who thrives under that pressure. His 614 career IPL runs against RR and his consistent form across the season make him the individual most likely to construct the kind of anchored innings GT desperately need.
Rahul Tewatia’s presence as the Impact Player option also adds a late-innings finishing capability that kept GT competitive in Qualifier 1 even when everything else failed.
Final Verdict
This is a 56-44 contest in RR’s favour. The venue record, the current momentum, and Sooryavanshi’s form are three independent reasons pointing toward the same outcome.
GT have the bowling to challenge any batting lineup, but their batting fragility was exposed against RCB and Jofra Archer in the powerplay is at least as dangerous as Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
Predicted Winner: RR by 15-20 runs (if batting first) or 6 wickets (if chasing).
