The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season reached a fever pitch at the Mullanpur International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh on Friday. The high-stakes Qualifier 2 clash between Gujarat Titans (GT) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) delivered all the drama expected of a knockout fixture. With a spot in the grand finale on the line, fans witnessed an emotional rollercoaster anchored by one of cricket’s most exciting young prodigies. After RR chose to bat first, the electric atmosphere set the stage for an unforgettable individual performance that ultimately left the stadium in stunned, appreciative silence.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi narrowly misses century vs GT in IPL 2026 Qualifier 2
The headline of the evening belonged to Rajasthan’s teenage sensation, Vaibhav Suryavanshi. Entering the crease under immense pressure after early wickets tumbled, Suryavanshi played a heroic, counter-attacking innings that had fans and pundits in absolute awe. However, cricket can be a cruel game of margins. For the second consecutive match, the explosive left-hander agonizingly missed out on a well-deserved milestone.
The heartbreak peaked in the 18th over. Facing South African speedster Kagiso Rabada on the second ball of the 17.2 over mark, Suryavanshi attempted a signature tennis-smash against a deceptive short delivery. Unfortunately, the ball caught the toe end of the bat, launching high into the sky before settling comfortably into the hands of Prasidh Krishna at deep third.
Suryavanshi was dismissed for a magnificent 96 off just 47 balls, striking at an incredible 204.25. His breathtaking knock included 8 fours and 7 towering sixes. The stadium initially fell into a pin-drop silence as the young batter stood distraught, mirroring his previous dismissal where he fell for 97. However, the grief quickly transformed into a standing ovation, with fans hailing his immense bravery and maturity on the big stage.
RR post a formidable total against GT
Despite losing their opening partnership cheaply, with Yashasvi Jaiswal falling for 12 and Dhruv Jurel departing for 7 inside the first two overs, Suryavanshi’s masterclass completely revitalized the Rajasthan Royals’ innings. Backed by a fiercely resilient middle-order effort, RR successfully weaponized their scoring rate to post a massive total of 214/6 in their allotted 20 overs.
A crucial anchor to the innings was veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, who scored a gritty, unbeaten 45 off 35 balls. Jadeja’s innings was a testament to physical endurance, as he briefly retired hurt during the eighth over but returned later to steady the ship alongside a late-order explosion from Donovan Ferreira. Ferreira played a crucial cameo, blasting a rapid 38 off just 11 balls at a jaw-dropping strike rate of 345.45, ensuring the Royals ended with massive momentum. RR’s scoring surged dramatically toward the end, racking up 76 runs in the last 5 overs alone.
On the bowling front, Gujarat Titans experienced mixed fortunes. Rabada was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with figures of 2/35 from his 4 overs, while Jason Holder provided excellent control with 2/27. However, premium spinner Rashid Khan suffered a rare, expensive outing, leaking 45 runs in just 2 overs. At the innings break, data models positioned Rajasthan Royals with a commanding win probability, leaving Shubman Gill‘s Gujarat Titans chasing a formidable target of 215 runs to secure their final berth.
Also WATCH: Vaibhav Suryavanshi plays a vintage Kohli-esque shot off Kagiso Rabada for six during GT vs RR Qualifier 2
Here’s how fans reacted:
VAIBHAV SOORYAVANSHI MISSES BACK TO BACK PLAYOFF HUNDREDS 💔🥺
◾ 97 (29) vs SRH in the Eliminator 🔥
◾ 96 (47) vs GT in Qualifier 2 🔥
◾ Misses consecutive IPL knockout hundreds by the finest of margins 😭
– HE LOST THE CENTURY, BUT WON EVERY HEART ❤️ #GTvRR #IPL2026 pic.twitter.com/84F04h7ruj— Yogesh Goswami (@yogeshgoswami_) May 29, 2026
93(38) on May 19th vs LSG.
97(29) on May 27th vs SRH.
96(47) on May 29 vs GT.ONE & ONLY VAIBHAV SOORYAVANSHI 🥶 pic.twitter.com/Cvl0q9kLTR
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) May 29, 2026
Heartbreak for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi 😔
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi once again has thrown away a 💯.
He should’ve taken tips from Virat Kohli on how to play for your 💯 by taking singles when you’re in the 90s. He is the master of that.
Very sad second time in a row he has missed out… pic.twitter.com/UjYQIiFdW3— Troll cricket unlimitedd (@TUnlimitedd) May 29, 2026
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Is So Much Unlucky. Missed Another Well Deserved Century. He Has Been Dismissed In 90s Three Times In Last 4 Matches. He Doesn’t Care About Personal Milestones At All. Always Keeps On Attacking pic.twitter.com/oJMOhxjvDv
— Aryan Goel 2.0 (@AryanGoelNew) May 29, 2026
The maturity of Vaibhav suryavanshi is lit 🔥
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) May 29, 2026
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi 15-year old and people still question his maturity?
When rajasthan royals lost two early wickets, the pressure was massive but the youngster didn’t panic. He played sensible and mature cricket, built a crucial partnership with Jadeja, and showed incredible… pic.twitter.com/Tsixfn8hHU
— Mohit Bohra (@mohitsharma1910) May 29, 2026
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi gone for 96 off 47 balls.
– Missed back to back hundreds in PLAYOFFS. pic.twitter.com/FXHEhOjpAj
— Maina Singh (@Maina_Singhx77) May 29, 2026
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi! Goes for 96, ❤️🩹 They boy showed tremendous strength of character and application when chops were down. What an innings by this batting phenomenon. #RRvGT pic.twitter.com/8t5kVLH5oP
— Pramod Kumar Singh (@SinghPramod2784) May 29, 2026
Could have easily taken singles and doubles to complete his century, but once again, team above personal milestones.
Generational player Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Take a bow. 🔥#RRvGT pic.twitter.com/yYOMXhB6xy
— Lala (@FabulasGuy) May 29, 2026
🔥 ONE & ONLY VAIBHAV SOORYAVANSHI. 🔥
🥶 93(38) vs LSG.
🥶 97(29) vs SRH.
🥶 96(47) vs GT.Three unbelievable knocks. Three missed centuries. One extraordinary talent. pic.twitter.com/gH6jjic81X
— Faruk (@uf2151593) May 29, 2026
Half-century in Eliminator ✅
Half-century in Qualifier 2 ✅Vaibhav Sooryavanshi already has more 50+ scores in IPL Playoffs than players like Dhawan, Samson, Rahul, Sehwag, Pollard, Ishan, Gilchrist, Klaasen, Miller, Rahane, Uthappa, Stoinis, Abhishek etc., pic.twitter.com/rEdFJO47QF
— 𝑺𝒉𝒆𝒃𝒂𝒔 (@Shebas_10dulkar) May 29, 2026
