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

A Night of High Drama in New Chandigarh

The stage was set at New Chandigarh for the high-stakes Qualifier 2 of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. The atmosphere was electric, but the outcome proved to be a bitter pill to swallow for the Rajasthan Royals (RR) as they bowed out of the tournament following a clinical 7-wicket performance by the Gujarat Titans (GT).

The match began with a moment of levity as a minor officiating mishap required Riyan Parag’s toss call to be repeated. Once the formalities were settled, Parag elected to bat first, sticking with the same winning combination that had seen them past Sunrisers Hyderabad. The Titans, meanwhile, made a strategic adjustment by bringing R Sai Kishore into the side to replace Kulwant Khejroliya.

A Rollercoaster First Innings

Rajasthan’s start was far from ideal. Yashasvi Jaiswal departed early for a solitary run, and Dhruv Jurel soon followed for seven. At 9/2, the Royals were in dire need of stability. In a tactical shift, Ravindra Jadeja stepped up, putting together a vital partnership before being forced to retire hurt after reaching 34 runs. While Riyan Parag failed to convert his start into a match-winning total, the spotlight shifted to young talent Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.

Sooryavanshi put on an absolute clinic, stroking his way to 96 runs. Though he narrowly missed out on a century, his innings was the backbone of the RR performance. With a late cameo from Donovan Ferreira—who smashed 38 off just 11 deliveries—and an unbeaten 45 from Jadeja, the Royals managed to post a formidable 214/20.

The Titans’ Masterful Chase

Gujarat Titans responded with clinical aggression. Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan dismantled the RR bowling attack, crafting a massive 167-run partnership. The breakthrough finally came when Sudharsan was dismissed in a bizarre hit-wicket incident—the second such instance for the player in just three days, leaving the crowd in disbelief.

However, the momentum remained firmly with the Titans. Captain Shubman Gill played a masterpiece, scoring a brilliant 104 off 47 deliveries. Despite a late wicket, Rahul Tewatia ensured the chase remained on track, finishing unbeaten on 17 alongside Washington Sundar, who contributed a quick-fire 16 off 9 balls.

Parag’s Reflection on the Future

Reflecting on the match, Riyan Parag admitted that 214 was a defendable total, though he believed 230-240 would have been more secure given the pitch conditions. The Royals’ skipper noted that the heavy roller had made the surface much better for batting during the second innings, making it difficult for the RR bowlers to grip the ball.

Addressing the season as a whole, Parag remained optimistic. The team had been labeled as inexperienced, yet they outperformed expectations to reach the playoffs. He emphasized the growth of the younger players as a massive positive for the future.

High Praise for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

Perhaps the most significant takeaway from the night was Parag’s assessment of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. When asked about the youngster’s remarkable ability to score at such a high tempo, Parag was quick to dismiss the idea that the teenager simply slogs the ball.

“He doesn’t slog,” Parag explained. “You could see his innings today; he calculates and plays his shots. I can’t say how he does it, but hopefully, he will go on to do great things in his career, contribute to the Rajasthan Royals, and help us win a second title.”

While the elimination marks a heartbreaking end to their 2026 campaign, the poise and maturity shown by the likes of Sooryavanshi suggest that the future of the Rajasthan Royals remains bright. The focus now shifts toward internal development and preparation for the upcoming seasons, as the franchise continues to hunt for its next championship trophy.