Rajasthan Royals’ 15-year-old batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi left the Eden of dreams with a heavy heart after his side fell short of the IPL 2026 final. The teenager struck a remarkable 96 off 47 balls, but it ultimately wasn’t enough as Gujarat Titans secured a seven-wicket win to book their place in the summit clash. Shubman Gill delivered a commanding century, while Sai Sudharsan provided crucial support with 58 from 32 deliveries. GT will now face Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the title match at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday.
Key takeaways
- Vaibhav Sooryavanshi produced a 96-ball knock of 96 off 47 as RR fell short of reaching the final.
- Gujarat Titans chased the target successfully, winning by 7 wickets with 8 balls remaining.
- Shubman Gill hit a century to power GT into the IPL 2026 final.
- Sai Sudharsan contributed 58 off 32 balls in the winning cause for Gujarat.
- Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag described the pitch as improving for batting after the heavy roller in the second innings.
Sooryavanshi’s brave knock ends in heartbreak
Despite Rajasthan Royals’ loss, Sooryavanshi’s cameo-style innings stood out for its maturity and impact. He was in tremendous rhythm, blasting 96 runs off just 47 balls, but the outcome still swung Gujarat’s way as the Titans held their nerve to finish with the required momentum.
The disappointment was visible immediately after the defeat. Sooryavanshi was seen breaking down in the dugout, and viral clips showed him shielding his face with a towel while seated there. When he later walked back out onto the field, he appeared extremely dejected as he shook hands with the Gujarat Titans players.
Riyan Parag on the pitch, the power of early breakthroughs, and RR’s positives
Riyan Parag assessed Rajasthan’s effort as competitive, arguing that the total they posted was defendable. He pointed to how the surface changed after the heavy roller was applied, saying the conditions improved for batting during the second innings.
Parag explained that in the first innings the wicket had offered grip and helped slower bowlers, which influenced the nature of the contest. He suggested that a score around 230 would have been a par total, while he believed 240 would have posed a significantly tougher challenge for the chasing side.
While Parag felt the target was within reach, he also acknowledged that Rajasthan needed early wickets from their openers. However, those breakthroughs never arrived, and that allowed Gujarat to settle into the chase, making the match harder for RR as it progressed.
Despite the disappointment, Parag looked back on Rajasthan’s campaign with optimism. He said the season still delivered several positives, especially considering how many players were young and comparatively inexperienced. He noted that expectations were low for RR to qualify, but praised the youngsters for stepping up with strong performances, adding that the squad can only build and grow from here.
In his words, there were “many positives” from the run, and the group’s development will continue. He also singled out Sooryavanshi for his intelligent and composed batting, stressing that the youngster’s contribution goes well beyond merely clearing the ropes. Parag highlighted that Sooryavanshi appears to calculate his innings and make deliberate shot selections, and he expressed confidence the teenager will keep improving and play a meaningful role in helping Rajasthan lift a second IPL title.
What’s next
With the win, Gujarat Titans move on to the IPL 2026 final, where they will take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday.
