Rajasthan Royals Elect to Bat First in IPL 2026 Qualifier 2

The Rajasthan Royals elected to bat first against the Gujarat Titans during the IPL 2026 Qualifier 2 on Friday, May 29 ^[1].

The decision to set a target puts pressure on the Titans in a knockout scenario where the winner advances toward the championship. This strategic move by the Royals comes as both teams fight for a spot in the final at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh ^[1].

Gujarat Titans entered the match with a significant change to their playing XI. The team brought spinner Sai Kishore into the lineup, replacing Kulwant Khejroliya ^[2]. Kishore enters this critical game with limited experience this season, having played only two IPL matches prior to Qualifier 2 ^[3].

The pre-match proceedings experienced a rare delay during the toss. The toss had to be conducted twice because the match referee did not hear the call the first time ^[4]. Despite the unusual start, the Royals remained unchanged in their lineup, opting to rely on the core group that brought them to the qualifier stage ^[2].

The match features a high-profile clash between key players, including Shubman Gill for the Titans and Riyan Parag for the Royals ^[5]. The conditions in New Chandigarh will play a pivotal role in whether the Royals' decision to bat first pays off, as the pitch may offer varying degrees of support to the spinners, specifically Kishore, as the game progresses ^[1].

Both teams have navigated a rigorous season to reach this stage. The Titans' decision to rotate their bowling attack suggests a tactical shift to counter the Royals' batting order, while the Royals are betting on a strong total to defend in the second innings ^[2].