“He doesn’t”: Riyan Parag drops blunt verdict on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi following – Riyan Parag Hails Vaibhav Sooryavanshi After Heartbreaking IPL 2026 Qualifier 2 Loss
A Hard-Fought Battle in New Chandigarh
The TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 reached a fever pitch during the Qualifier 2 match held in New Chandigarh. In a high-stakes encounter that saw the Gujarat Titans (GT) face off against the Rajasthan Royals (RR), the drama began even before the first ball was bowled. A bizarre moment at the toss, which required a redo after the match referee failed to hear the initial call, set the tone for an evening defined by intensity and unpredictable turns.
Ultimately, it was the Gujarat Titans who secured their spot in the final, handing the Rajasthan Royals a 7-wicket defeat and bringing an end to the latter’s journey in the tournament. Despite the loss, the match served as a massive platform for emerging talent, most notably the young sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
The First Innings: RR Sets a Challenging Total
Riyan Parag, winning the toss, elected to bat first, fielding the same lineup that had previously tasted success against Sunrisers Hyderabad. However, the start was anything but ideal. The Royals were pushed to a precarious 9/2 after the early dismissals of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Dhruv Jurel. In a tactical shift, Ravindra Jadeja moved up the order, providing stability until he was forced to retire hurt after contributing 34 runs.
It was here that Vaibhav Sooryavanshi took center stage. In an exhibition of sheer class, Sooryavanshi hammered 96 runs, agonizingly close to a maiden century. Following his departure, Jadeja returned to remain unbeaten on 45, while Donovan Ferreira’s explosive 38 off just 11 balls provided the final flourish. Rajasthan Royals concluded their 20 overs with a formidable total of 214 runs.
The Chase and the Sai Sudharsan Incident
The Gujarat Titans responded with clinical precision. Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan launched a blistering 167-run partnership. In a stroke of cruel misfortune, Sudharsan was dismissed hit-wicket for 58, marking his second such bizarre dismissal in the span of just three days. Despite this, the momentum remained firmly with the Titans.
Shubman Gill commanded the crease with authority, scoring a scintillating century in just 47 balls before falling for 104. Rahul Tewatia provided the finishing touch with an unbeaten 17, ensuring the Titans chased down the target successfully.
Riyan Parag’s Tactical Analysis and Praise for Sooryavanshi
Reflecting on the match, Riyan Parag provided an honest assessment of the conditions. The RR captain noted that while 214 was a solid total, the pitch behavior changed significantly under lights. “It was a par score; it was defendable,” Parag stated. “I felt after the heavy roller, it got better in the second innings. In the first innings, the bowlers got some grip, and the slower ones did well. I thought 230 would have been a par score. A score around 240 would have been challenging, but we needed the openers early.”
Addressing the broader picture of the 2026 season, Parag remained optimistic. “There were many positives. We weren’t supposed to qualify, given that many players were young and inexperienced, but many youngsters performed well and can only improve from here.”
The highlight of his post-match interaction was his assessment of the young star, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Rejecting the notion that the youngster relies on simple power hitting, Parag remarked: “He doesn’t slog, you could see his innings today – he calculates and plays his shots. I can’t say how, but hopefully he will go on to do well in his career, do well for the Rajasthan Royals and win us a second title.”
This performance marks a significant milestone for Sooryavanshi, despite the emotional weight of the loss. For the Rajasthan Royals, the exit is bittersweet, but with talents like Sooryavanshi maturing under pressure, the future appears bright for the franchise as they look toward rebuilding and competing for the championship in the coming years.
