Vaibhav Sooryavanshi looked set for a positive start for the Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2026 at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur, but Mohammed Siraj cut his momentum short. The 15-year-old managed 36 runs off 16 balls before having to walk back, a dismissal that left the Royals with too much to do. Chasing 230, the Royals never found their rhythm and were eventually beaten by 77 runs.
Siraj’s breakthrough and the chase that slipped away
- Vaibhav Sooryavanshi threatened for a period during Rajasthan’s chase at Jaipur.
- Mohammed Siraj removed him, forcing the youngster to retire after scoring 36 off 16 deliveries.
- Rajasthan failed to build after that blow and could not make up the required ground.
- The Royals ended up losing their chase of 230 by 77 runs.
Matthew Hayden, speaking after the match, was impressed by the Royals’ opener’s impact, drawing comparisons with the way other elite players have spoken about fearless batting. However, he also suggested that the same innings that look exciting in the moment can expose bigger structural issues when the target is steep.
Hayden’s key point was that when a team is chasing a total above 220, the priority shifts to batting for longer spells rather than relying on brief bursts. He argued that the margin between winning and losing often comes from sustained strike rotation and the ability to reach the back end of the chase, not merely scoring quick cameos of short duration.
He also highlighted the Gujarat Titans’ batting profile while addressing how they manage their chase/innings planning. Hayden credited the Titans’ batting approach for producing sustained output, especially through the middle overs and beyond, and praised the side’s repeatability in different game situations.
In his assessment, Hayden pointed to the Titans’ top three—Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan and Jos Buttler—as batters who can keep the scoreboard moving at high tempo while still building innings depth. He said their strike rate target of around 150 is not an occasional outcome, but something they aim for consistently across matches.
Hayden’s praise for GT’s top three and their innings-building
- Hayden said Sooryavanshi’s knock showed promise, but that chasing 220-plus demands longer, deeper batting.
- He argued that the Titans benefit from batters who can strike at roughly 150 and keep going well beyond the early phase.
- Hayden felt GT’s players demonstrate the fitness and skill set to carry their approach into the later stages of matches, including innings that resemble Test-match and ODI-style consolidation.
Turning to statistics, Hayden noted that Gill is operating at a strike rate of 160.41 in IPL 2026, while Buttler and Sudharsan have been scoring at 151.96 and 157.70 respectively. He admitted that the Titans often look at their best when the par totals land in the 160–180 bracket, but he was equally pleased with how their strategy evolved against a high-impact opponent like the Rajasthan Royals.
Hayden explained that setting a target requires a different mental and tactical challenge, and he valued how GT built their innings plan accordingly. He said the Titans have frequently posted totals in the 160 range and trusted their batting to get through when required, but that facing an “X-factor” side such as Rajasthan—and still coming out on top—made the result especially meaningful.
Gill’s finish sets the platform
With the bat, Shubman Gill delivered when it mattered, smashing 84 off 44 balls to help Gujarat Titans reach 229/6 in their 20 overs against Rajasthan. That platform proved decisive, with Siraj’s timely breakthrough and GT’s control of the chase ultimately sealing a 77-run win.
