Gujarat Titans assistant coach Parthiv Patel has pinpointed Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s early dismissal as a central goal for his side ahead of IPL 2026 Qualifier 2 against Rajasthan Royals on Friday. The 15-year-old has arrived at the knockout stage in brutal form, with his recent innings leaving little doubt about his impact at playoff intensity.
Quick facts
- IPL 2026 Qualifier 2: Rajasthan Royals vs Gujarat Titans on Friday
- Parthiv Patel says GT’s priority is to remove Vaibhav Sooryavanshi early
- Sooryavanshi’s Eliminator knock: 97 off 29 balls vs Sunrisers Hyderabad
- That innings included 12 sixes and helped dismantle SRH’s bowling attack
- He reached a playoff half-century in 16 balls, matching Suresh Raina’s fastest IPL playoff fifty
- He missed Chris Gayle’s fastest IPL century by three runs
- He overtook Gayle’s record for most sixes in a single IPL season, finishing with 65 maximums
- Season output: 680 runs in 15 innings (avg 45.33, strike rate 242.85) with 1 century and 4 fifties
- Career totals in the IPL 2026 season include 55 fours and 65 sixes
Sooryavanshi’s standout knock came in the Eliminator against Sunrisers Hyderabad, where he struck 97 from 29 deliveries. His 12 sixes turned the chase into a one-sided demolition, as SRH’s bowling plans collapsed under sheer power-hitting.
The right-hander also matched Suresh Raina’s long-standing marker for the fastest half-century in an IPL playoff, getting to fifty in only 16 balls. He was tantalisingly close to rewriting the record for the quickest century in IPL history, but eventually fell short by three runs.
Even with the near-miss on the century timing, Sooryavanshi added a different kind of landmark to his name. He surpassed Chris Gayle’s record for the most sixes in a single IPL season, finishing his campaign total at 65 maximums—an emphatic statement of intent across the tournament.
GT’s plan: study, execute, and strike early
With Rajasthan Royals set to play Gujarat Titans for a spot in the final against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, the spotlight has shifted to how GT will try to slow down the teenage sensation. Parthiv Patel said the franchise has already devoted time to studying Sooryavanshi’s batting patterns and the way he accelerates once he gets set.
Speaking ahead of the match at New Chandigarh, Patel expressed confidence in his current form while underlining GT’s intent to disrupt him early. “I am feeling good about the way he is batting. Hopefully, we will try to take him out early in the game,” Patel said. He added that teams have been watching the videos and that GT will look to carry out their plan once the game begins.
Patel also praised the youngster’s fearless approach, but framed it from an opposition standpoint. He suggested that while Sooryavanshi’s talent has been obvious, GT’s hope is that he does not find rhythm in the innings, because once he settles, the batting becomes difficult to contain.
One of the most intriguing matchups in Qualifier 2 is expected to be Sooryavanshi’s hitting against Gujarat Titans’ pace resources, especially their new-ball options. The contest is likely to centre on how he handles Mohammed Siraj and Kagiso Rabada when the ball is hardest and the field is most compact.
Red-hot form across IPL 2026
Sooryavanshi’s knockout arrival is backed by a season that has been almost impossible to ignore. He has amassed 680 runs in 15 innings at an average of 45.33, striking at 242.85—numbers that reflect both frequency and explosive finishing.
His run tally includes one century and four fifties, alongside 55 fours and 65 sixes. The combination of volume and boundary conversion is what has defined his IPL 2026 campaign, and it is exactly why GT are treating his early wicket as the biggest priority in Friday’s high-stakes qualifier.
