Rajasthan Royals opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi once again sparked excitement with a brisk start during Gujarat Titans’ title-chasing clash in Jaipur, but Matthew Hayden insisted the teenager still has a key lesson to absorb in T20 batting—especially when the chase demands more than a quick burst. In a game that swung on a single pivotal wicket, the Royals were ultimately overpowered and suffered a heavy defeat by 77 runs after failing to sustain momentum in their pursuit of a towering total of 230.
How the chase unfolded
- Rajasthan went into the innings chasing 230 and Sooryavanshi looked dangerous from the first over.
- The left-handed batter struck 36 runs off only 16 balls, briefly giving the Royals a real chance of pulling off something spectacular.
- Mohammed Siraj struck at a crucial moment to remove Sooryavanshi, and Rajasthan never fully recovered from that setback.
- Despite the early momentum, the Royals collapsed in the chase and finished 77 runs short of the target.
Speaking after the match, Hayden said he was impressed by the fearlessness Sooryavanshi showed, but stressed that chasing totals in excess of 220 requires batters to think beyond rapid cameos. The former Australia opener pointed to the difference between scoring quickly and building a chase that lasts long enough to put sustained pressure on the opposition.
“Tonight was a strong example of an exciting young player in Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. He came in and made an impact—he scored 30 runs at a strike rate of 300. But when you’re chasing 220-odd, you have to bat longer and deeper. The advantage we have is that we can send out players like the top three you mentioned, who are striking at around 150,” Hayden said during the post-match press conference.
What Hayden believes sets Gujarat apart
Hayden then turned to what he sees as the main strength behind Gujarat’s performances this season: how their batting unit maintains balance. In his view, the Titans’ approach is built on combining aggression with the ability to carry on through the middle and later overs, rather than only taking advantage of the powerplay.
“Let me tell you as a batter, that is really hard, and they’re doing it for a long period of time. They’re consistently getting into the back end of the innings, not just playing inside the powerplay. They’re doing it all the way through with their fitness and their ability to play Test-match type cricket—and especially ODI cricket,” Hayden added.
He also referenced the form of Gujarat’s leading three batters, describing them as among the most reliable performers in IPL 2026. Shubman Gill has posted a strike rate of 160.41, while Jos Buttler and Sai Sudharsan have kept their tempo with strike rates of 151.96 and 157.70 respectively.
Hayden further suggested that Gujarat are typically more at ease when the par score sits in the 160 to 180 range. That is why he was particularly pleased with the way the Titans adjusted against a Rajasthan side known for unpredictability and sudden bursts of impact.
“I love the fact that we’re constructing our innings. Tonight, where we’re setting a target—which is a different challenge—we’ve had a number of totals around that 160 range, and I would back our batting to get through any day of the week. So it was nice to have a challenge against a team with X-factor like Rajasthan Royals, and to come out on top was really important for us,” Hayden said.
Gujarat set the tone
Rajasthan’s chase could not gain enough traction after the early wicket, but the foundation was laid by Gujarat’s batting first. Earlier, Shubman Gill led the Titans with a polished innings of 84 off 44 balls, helping Gujarat reach 229/6 in their 20 overs. From there, their bowlers took control and completed a commanding win.
