“He doesn’t”: Riyan Parag drops blunt verdict on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi following – IPL 2026: Riyan Parag Praises Vaibhav Sooryavanshi After RR Exit

A Bitter Exit in New Chandigarh

The TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 reached a boiling point during Match No. 73, the high-stakes Qualifier 2 encounter between the Gujarat Titans (GT) and the Rajasthan Royals (RR). Held in New Chandigarh, the atmosphere was electric, but for the Rajasthan Royals, the evening concluded in heartbreak. Despite a spirited performance, the Royals fell to a seven-wicket defeat, ending their dream of lifting the trophy this season.

Controversy and the Toss

The drama began even before the first ball was bowled. In an unusual turn of events, the match referee failed to hear Riyan Parag’s initial call at the toss, necessitating a second attempt. Once settled, Parag won the toss and elected to bat first, sticking with the same starting XI that had secured their victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad. The Gujarat Titans, meanwhile, made a single tactical adjustment, bringing in R. Sai Kishore to replace Kulwant Khejroliya.

The Innings: A Tale of Resilience

Rajasthan’s start was far from ideal. Yashasvi Jaiswal departed early for just a single run, and Dhruv Jurel soon followed for seven, leaving the Royals precariously placed at 9/2. In a surprise tactical move, Ravindra Jadeja was promoted up the order. He played a stabilizing role, stitching together a vital partnership before being forced to retire hurt on 34 runs.

However, the night truly belonged to the young sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. He played an exquisite innings, accumulating 96 runs and falling just short of a well-deserved century. Following the return of Jadeja, who remained unbeaten on 45, and a blistering cameo from Donovan Ferreira—who smashed 38 off just 11 deliveries—the Royals managed to post a formidable total of 214 runs in their 20 overs.

Gujarat Titans’ Dominant Chase

In response, the Gujarat Titans made a statement. Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan put on a clinical 167-run partnership. The momentum shifted slightly when Sudharsan was dismissed for 58 in a bizarre hit-wicket fashion—his second such dismissal in just three days. Despite the wicket, the Titans remained in control. Shubman Gill continued his masterclass, scoring a brilliant century off 47 balls before departing for 104. Rahul Tewatia played the role of finisher, remaining unbeaten on 17, while Washington Sundar contributed a quick-fire 16 off nine balls to steer the Titans home.

Riyan Parag’s Post-Match Assessment

Reflecting on the loss, Riyan Parag was candid about the challenges his team faced. He acknowledged that while 214 was a competitive total, the pitch behavior shifted under the lights. “It was a par score; it was defendable,” Parag noted. “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.”

Parag expressed immense pride in his squad’s journey, noting that the team exceeded expectations given the relative inexperience of the roster. “To sum it up in one sentence, 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,” he stated.

The Verdict on Sooryavanshi

Perhaps the most significant takeaway from the evening was Parag’s glowing assessment of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Moving away from the common narrative that young power-hitters rely purely on slogging, Parag highlighted the youngster’s tactical intelligence.

“I can’t put it into words,” Parag said regarding Sooryavanshi’s potential. “There’s one way where you slog and score many runs, but 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.”

As the Rajasthan Royals head into the off-season, they do so with a clear sense of identity and a young core that promises a bright future, underscored by the burgeoning talent of players like Sooryavanshi.