Rajasthan Royals face Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 2 at Mullanpur today, with 15-year-old Suryavanshi set to test his red-hot form against one of the tournament's most dangerous bowling attacks.

Teen Sensation in the Spotlight

When Rajasthan Royals walk out at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur this evening, all eyes — and there will be many — will be fixed on one player. Vaibhav Suryavanshi, 15, has had a season that seems almost implausible for someone his age. In the Eliminator against Sunrisers Hyderabad just two days ago, the right-hander crunched 97 off a minimal number of deliveries, launching 12 sixes in an innings that left even seasoned commentators searching for comparisons.

Now comes the real test. Gujarat Titans await, with a bowling attack that has been the most formidable in IPL 2026 — Kagiso Rabada, Mohammad Siraj, Jason Holder, Prasidh Krishna, and Rashid Khan. Five bowlers. All dangerous. All gunning for one teenager.

Gujarat's Bowling Edge

There's no sugarcoating it — Gujarat's attack is the strongest remaining in the tournament. Rabada leads the side's wicket column with 26 scalps this season, while at least five Gujarat bowlers have crossed the 15-wicket mark. Siraj, who dismissed Suryavanshi on a short ball when the two sides met on May 9 in Jaipur, will be eager to repeat the trick. That Jaipur encounter ended in a 77-run win for Gujarat — a result that remains fresh in the Royals' dressing room.

That said, Suryavanshi's record against this same Gujarat unit in IPL 2026 tells a different story. Across three matches, he has accumulated 168 runs at a strike rate of 233.33, including one century. Fifteen fours, fifteen sixes. Rashid, Siraj and Prasidh have each removed him once — but the damage was done before those wickets fell.

Pitch and Weather Hanging Over the Game

The Mullanpur surface has consistently produced big scores in this season's playoff phase — all four previous matches at the venue saw totals exceed 200. Two were defended, two were chased. In the Eliminator itself, Rajasthan posted 243 and restricted Hyderabad to 196.

But the pitch on May 27 surprised a few people. Pacers collected 12 of the 18 wickets that fell, with Jofra Archer dismantling Hyderabad's top order through sheer pace and length. That could work against Suryavanshi tonight — but it is worth noting that Pat Cummins' pace attack had little effect on the youngster in that very match.

Then there is the weather. The Chandigarh Meteorological Centre has put a 60–70 per cent probability of rain in the New Chandigarh–Mohali region through the evening, with showers expected after the afternoon. No reserve day has been assigned for this Qualifier 2. If play is abandoned, Gujarat advance to the final on the basis of their superior league-stage standing — a significant advantage they carry simply by showing up.

Royals' Dependence Problem

Rajasthan captain Riyan Parag acknowledged after the Eliminator that his team left runs on the table in the death overs, suggesting they could have reached 260 on that pitch. It is a concern that will resurface today if Suryavanshi falls early. Yashasvi Jaiswal, despite his pedigree, has been overshadowed this season. Dhruv Jurel has chipped in from number three, and Suryavanshi himself leads the tournament's run-scorers with 680 — but the side's batting balance beyond that pairing looks fragile.

Jofra Archer, who has taken 24 wickets for the side this season, will be critical with the ball. How Royals manage the final six overs with the bat — where they stumbled against Hyderabad — could decide this match as much as anything Suryavanshi does at the top.

Gujarat's Own Vulnerabilities

Shubman Gill's side is not without cracks. In Qualifier 1 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, their batting collapsed to 162 all out after the top three — Sai Sudharsan (652 runs this season), Gill (618) and Jos Buttler (498) — failed together. Against Bengaluru's bowlers, the middle and lower order found no answer.

Suryavanshi will be looking to put them in that situation again. One explosive opening stand could set the tone and put Gujarat's attack under pressure early.

Head-to-Head: Gujarat Hold the Edge

Gujarat lead the all-time head-to-head 7–3, and famously denied Rajasthan in the 2022 final. This season, both teams split their league encounters — Rajasthan winning by six wickets, Gujarat winning by 77 runs. It is as close to a coin flip as the numbers allow, though Mullanpur's conditions and the rain threat could tilt things in one direction before a ball is bowled.

Riyan Parag Caught Vaping in IPL Dressing Room

Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag vaping controversy erupts during Punjab Kings match, reigniting e-cig ban debate amid past star cricketer incidents.

Riyan Parag, captain of Rajasthan Royals, is facing backlash after a video captured him allegedly vaping an e-cigarette in the dressing room during Tuesday's IPL 2026 match against Punjab Kings in Jaipur. The clip, from the 16th over of RR's batting innings, shows Parag in the presence of teammates Dhruv Jurel and Yashasvi Jaiswal. It quickly went viral on social media, drawing sharp criticism for flouting India's e-cigarette ban.

Viral Clip Sparks Outrage

The footage aired briefly on live broadcast before cutting away, but not before social media users shared it widely. Fans and former players called it a poor example from a team leader. "This isn't just about rules—it's about setting standards for young fans," one ex-cricketer posted online. The incident comes just days after RR manager Romi Bhinder was fined for using a mobile phone in the dressing room near young prospect Vaibhav Suryavanshi.

E-Cigs Banned Since 2019

India outlawed the production, sale, import, and advertising of e-cigarettes under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act (PECA) 2019. Violations carry jail time and hefty fines. Officials note vaping poses serious health risks, especially for athletes, with unknown chemicals in devices lacking safety clearance. Parag's public use in a high-profile setting has amplified calls for stricter enforcement in sports.

BCCI Seeks Response

BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia has been approached for comment, sources familiar with the matter said. The board is expected to demand explanations from Parag and the franchise soon. "They take player conduct seriously, particularly with laws involved," a senior official remarked. IPL guidelines already prohibit such items in team areas, and penalties could range from fines to suspension.

Past Stars in Similar Spots

This isn't the first time IPL cameras have caught top players. Back in 2020, ex-Australia captain Aaron Finch was spotted vaping during Royal Challengers Bengaluru's clash with Rajasthan Royals. The clip showed him exhaling smoke mid-over before the feed switched back to action, sparking a brief storm online.

De Villiers' SA20 Moment

AB de Villiers faced heat more recently in South Africa's SA20 league. Sitting in the VIP stands, the former South Africa star was filmed vaping, with the image flashing on the stadium big screen. Social media buzzed, though he brushed it off lightly.

Smoking Rows Beyond Vapes

Traditional smoking incidents have also rocked cricket. Brendon McCullum once admitted puffing cigarettes in a stadium toilet during New Zealand's 2015 ODI World Cup semi-final against South Africa. England's Ben Stokes drew ire for lighting up in Lord's washroom ahead of the 2019 World Cup final versus New Zealand.

Rabada's Hotel Balcony Clip

Gujarat Titans' Kagiso Rabada hit headlines earlier when a video surfaced of him smoking a cigarette from a hotel balcony during IPL. Unlike others, it wasn't inside stadium premises, but it still fueled debates on player discipline.

The Parag episode underscores ongoing tensions between personal habits and public scrutiny in elite cricket. With IPL 2026 in full swing, eyes are on BCCI's next move—fines, warnings, or tougher measures. Franchises may tighten dressing room protocols amid rising fan expectations. For now, Parag continues to lead RR, but the cloud lingers.

Chris Morris Not Surprised by South African Injuries Before T20 World Cup: 'Tight Schedule' a Major Culprit

 As the T20 World Cup looms large, South Africa's squad faces a pre-tournament injury crisis straight out of SA20. Former all-rounder Chris Morris, now a sharp commentator, isn't shocked. "It is a very tight schedule," he told Dainik Bhaskar, highlighting how back-to-back games are taking a toll just when Proteas gear up for global glory.

This comes hot on the heels of South Africa's squad tweaks on Thursday. Ryan Rickelton and Tristan Stubbs stepped in, replacing injured Tony de Zorzi and Donovan Ferreira. David Miller sat out the Eliminator, Lungi Ngidi managed just two overs in the Qualifier, and Dewald Brevis nurses a finger niggle. With the T20 World Cup squad now locked, these blows raise alarms for fans.

Tight Cricket Schedule: The Hidden Risk in High-Stakes Leagues

Morris, with 69 caps for South Africa and stints at Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL, knows the grind all too well. Players face daily matches, constant travel, and minimal recovery windows – a blueprint for SA20 injuries.

• Daily grind exposes vulnerabilities: No breather between games leaves bodies battered.
  
  

• Man management dilemma: Winning teams hesitate to rotate, but fatigue builds silently.
  
  

• IPL parallel: Morris notes similar pressures in India's cash-rich league amplify risks.
  
  

"It's unfortunate, but SA20 performances from World Cup picks have been solid," Morris added. The packed calendar mirrors global trends, making T20 World Cup prep a high-wire act.

Mental and Physical Toll: Pros Must Adapt

Beyond bruises, mental fatigue looms large. "It's tough for the body and mentally draining," Morris said. "As professionals, you find a way." Joburg Super Kings coach Stephen Fleming echoed this during the Centurion Eliminator on January 22.

This matters now amid cricket's evolution. With T20 World Cup hype building – think ICC's recent Bangladesh-Scotland swap – teams can't afford rust. South Africa's changes signal resilience, but underscore workload debates.

Bright Spots: Rabada's Rhythm and Spinner Edge

Not all gloom. Morris lauds Kagiso Rabada's return from rib injury, calling his SA20 rhythm "perfect prep" for T20 World Cup. The pacer's fire could tilt knockout clashes.

Spinners steal the show too. Keshav Maharaj and George Linde form a potent duo, primed to shatter partnerships even on batting paradises. "Spinners break key stands," Morris predicts – a tactical nugget for Proteas' campaign.

Takeaways for Fans and Players

• Prioritize rotation in leagues like SA20 to dodge T20 World Cup pitfalls.
  
  

• Watch Rabada and spinners as South Africa's X-factors.
  
  

• Boards must rethink schedules for sustainable stars.
  
  

Chris Morris' candid take spotlights a cricket truth: brilliance demands balance. As T20 World Cup nears, will South Africa heal in time? Proteas fans, stay tuned – the race is on.