GTvsRR

GT vs RR, Qualifier 2: high-stakes rematch with a place in the final on the line

Gujarat Titans and Rajasthan Royals meet in Qualifier 2 of the Indian Premier League 2026 on 29 May 2026 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Stadium in Mullanpur, with the winner moving one step away from the title. It is the kind of fixture that carries both immediate pressure and a strong sense of familiarity: GT arrive looking to recover from a heavy defeat in Qualifier 1, while RR come in with momentum after powering through the Eliminator at the same venue.

There is recent history between these sides too. They have already traded blows in IPL 2026, with Rajasthan Royals winning a high-scoring contest in Ahmedabad on 4 April 2026 before Gujarat Titans hit back emphatically in Jaipur on 9 May 2026. That split adds another layer to a knockout contest in which form, nerve and execution are likely to matter more than reputation.

Conditions & Venue

Mullanpur has generally offered a strong scoring surface in the IPL since 2024, with the average first-innings score at 187 and the average second-innings score at 172. The results suggest there is no overwhelming toss bias: teams batting first have won 52.94 percent of matches, while chasing sides have won 47.06 percent. That balance hints less at a one-dimensional venue and more at a ground where teams still need to read the conditions correctly on the night.

The bowling split is also worth noting. Fast bowlers have taken 141 wickets here compared to 74 for slow bowlers, a significant difference that points to pace having the greater influence across the sample. For both sides, that should bring the new-ball overs and the death overs into sharp focus.

The most immediate reference point is Rajasthan Royals’ Eliminator win here on 27 May 2026, when they piled up 243/8 and bowled Sunrisers Hyderabad out for 196. Earlier in the season, RR also chased 223 against Punjab Kings at this ground on 28 April 2026, while Punjab had blasted 254/7 against Lucknow Super Giants here on 19 April 2026. Those scores underline the central theme of this venue in 2026: if batting units settle quickly, the game can move very fast.

Gujarat, though, will remember their own trip here on 31 March 2026, when they managed 162/6 and were beaten by Punjab Kings. That match serves as a reminder that simply arriving with batting power is not enough; the side that adapts best to the phase-by-phase demands usually stays ahead.

Team Form & Head-to-Head

GT’s recent run has had both authority and volatility. They beat Rajasthan Royals by 77 runs on 9 May 2026, then demolished Sunrisers Hyderabad by bowling them out for 86 on 12 May 2026, before crushing Chennai Super Kings by 89 runs on 21 May 2026. But the setback in Qualifier 1 was severe: Royal Challengers Bengaluru posted 254/5 in Dharamsala on 26 May 2026, and Gujarat were bundled out for 162. That result leaves them needing a quick reset rather than a long rethink.

Rajasthan Royals come into this game with stronger immediate momentum. They have won three of their last four matches, including a 30-run victory over Mumbai Indians on 24 May 2026 and the 47-run Eliminator win over Sunrisers Hyderabad on 27 May 2026. Their only defeats in that stretch came against Delhi Capitals on 17 May 2026 and Gujarat Titans on 9 May 2026. Just as importantly, RR’s batting has looked consistently forceful, crossing 200 in three of their last four completed wins.

The recent head-to-head between these sides is evenly poised. Since 2024, Gujarat Titans have won three of the last five meetings, with Rajasthan Royals taking two. In 2026 alone, RR defended 210/6 to beat GT by six runs in Ahmedabad on 4 April 2026, before GT responded with a dominant 229/4 to 152 all out victory in Jaipur on 9 May 2026. In 2025, the teams again split results, with Gujarat winning by 58 runs in Ahmedabad on 9 April 2025 and Rajasthan chasing 210 in just 15.5 overs in Jaipur on 28 April 2025. The pattern is clear: these contests have rarely lacked scoring, and momentum can swing sharply depending on which bowling attack controls the middle overs.

Players to Watch

For Gujarat Titans, Rashid Khan remains a central figure. His overall IPL record since 2022 stands at 122 wickets, and his recent history against Rajasthan is particularly impressive. He took 4 for 33 against them on 9 May 2026 and also has a 3 for 14 against RR from 5 May 2023. His matchup data adds more intrigue: he has dismissed Riyan Parag twice while conceding only 23 runs in 25 balls, and he has also removed Dhruv Jurel twice. On a venue where pace has dominated overall, Rashid could still be the bowler who decides the middle overs.

Kagiso Rabada is another major factor for GT. He has 114 IPL wickets and arrives with useful numbers against this opposition. He took two wickets against RR on 9 May 2026, and his record against Yashasvi Jaiswal stands out, with three dismissals while conceding only 25 runs from 23 balls. If Mullanpur again rewards seam and hard lengths, Rabada’s role with the new ball and at the back end becomes especially important.

Prasidh Krishna adds another layer to Gujarat’s pace attack. He has taken 75 IPL wickets and already has strong returns at this ground, including 3 for 29 against Punjab Kings on 31 March 2026. Against this opposition, he claimed 3 for 24 on 9 April 2025 and has also dismissed Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Riyan Parag in prior meetings. After RR’s explosive batting display in the Eliminator, his control through the middle and death overs could be crucial.

For Rajasthan Royals, Jofra Archer shapes as a key weapon on a surface that has rewarded fast bowling. He was outstanding against Mumbai Indians on 24 May 2026 with 3 for 17, and he also has strong Mullanpur numbers, including 3 for 25 against Punjab Kings on 5 April 2025. His duel with Shubman Gill could be one to track closely: Archer has dismissed Gill once while conceding 35 runs in 17 balls, a battle that could heavily influence GT’s start.

Ravi Bishnoi already has one big statement against Gujarat this season, taking 4 for 41 in Ahmedabad on 4 April 2026. His matchup against Sai Sudharsan is noteworthy too, with two dismissals in just 11 balls. If RR need a wicket-taking option once the ball softens, Bishnoi could be the bowler they turn to.

Ravindra Jadeja offers Rajasthan balance and experience. His overall IPL tally since 2022 includes 1539 runs and 72 wickets, and he contributed with both disciplines in the Eliminator at this venue on 27 May 2026, scoring 12 off 9 and taking 2 for 21. Against GT, he made 38 off 25 on 9 May 2026, while with the ball he has dismissed both Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan in past meetings. In a knockout game, that all-round influence can be vital.

Final Word

This Qualifier 2 has all the ingredients of a high-quality knockout: a batting-friendly venue, two attacks with genuine wicket-taking pace, and a recent rivalry that has produced both tight chases and one-sided bursts. Rajasthan Royals come in hotter, especially after their commanding Eliminator win in Mullanpur, but Gujarat Titans have already shown in 2026 that they can overpower this batting order when their bowlers hit the right lengths and Rashid Khan controls the middle overs.

The powerplay could set the tone, yet the match may be decided deeper in the innings: whether GT’s pace trio can disrupt RR’s aggressive hitters, whether Rajasthan’s quicks can stop Gujarat’s top order from settling, and which side manages the middle overs without losing momentum. In a game for a place in the final, those small windows could make all the difference.