GT vs RR: 3 player battles to watch out for in IPL 2026 Qualifier 2 ft. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi vs Mohammed Siraj

By Sandy Verma On May 28, 2026

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 now heads towards its last major hurdle before the grand finale as Gujarat Titans and Rajasthan Royals prepare to lock horns in Qualifier 2 at New Chandigarh (Mullanpur).

Both teams comprise several T20 superstars along with a perfect blend of experienced campaigners and sensational young talents who have taken the tournament by storm with their performances this season.

So far in IPL 2026, Gujarat Titans and Rajasthan Royals have faced each other twice, with both sides winning one game each. Now, with everything on the line, this third meeting promises to be the ultimate decider between two explosive teams.

Here are three major battles to watch out for in GT vs RR Qualifier 2

1. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi vs Mohammed Siraj

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has turned into one of the biggest sensations of IPL with his fearless batting, outrageous six-hitting ability and extraordinary strike rate that has left the cricketing world stunned. The teenager has consistently demolished bowling attacks throughout the season and is currently among the leading run-scorers of the tournament with numbers that almost feel unreal.

Meanwhile, Mohammed Siraj remains one of Gujarat Titans’ most experienced and dependable bowlers, especially with the new ball in the powerplay. His ability to generate movement, maintain aggressive lines and attack the stumps makes him a serious threat early in the innings.

The last time these two sides faced each other, the battle between Vaibhav and Siraj became one of the biggest talking points on social media. Vaibhav announced himself dramatically by smashing Siraj for a massive six on the very first delivery he faced. The assault continued further as the RR youngster hammered multiple boundaries and completely shifted momentum.

However, Siraj eventually responded brilliantly and dismissed Vaibhav with a fiery delivery, producing an aggressive celebration that instantly went viral online. With both players once again set to collide in the powerplay, this rivalry could become one of the defining moments of Qualifier 2.

2. Shubman Gill vs Jofra Archer

The battle between Shubman Gill and Jofra Archer has quietly grown into one of the most fascinating rivalries in modern cricket. Archer’s raw pace, bounce and hard lengths have troubled Gill consistently over the years.

Interestingly, the last time these two sides met, Gill looked far more comfortable and managed to punish Archer with a few crisp boundaries during the early phase of the innings. However, knockout cricket brings a completely different level of pressure and intensity.

With Archer operating at full rhythm and Gill carrying the responsibility of leading Gujarat Titans from the front, this promises to be one of the most exciting battles of the contest.

3. Jos Buttler vs Ravindra Jadeja

Two of the most experienced names in T20 cricket, Jos Buttler and Ravindra Jadeja, are once again set to face each other in another crucial IPL clash.

Buttler has always been regarded as one of the finest players of spin in white-ball cricket and possesses the ability to completely dominate middle overs with his aggressive strokeplay and powerful slogging ability.

Meanwhile, Jadeja remains one of the smartest operators in T20 cricket with his clever changes in pace, tactical awareness and ability to vary his trajectory whenever required. The left-arm spinner knows exactly how to build pressure during crucial middle overs.

One of the most memorable moments between the two came back in IPL 2019 when Jadeja, representing CSK, bowled a sharp turning delivery to dismiss Buttler in spectacular fashion.

Even in IPL 2026, Jadeja managed to have the last laugh the previous time these two sides met. With the stakes now significantly higher in Qualifier 2, it will be fascinating to see who comes out on top in this high-profile battle once again.