Defending champion Coco Gauff crashed out of the French Open on Saturday as Anastasia Potapova battled back from a set down to win 4-6, 7-6(1), 6-4 in the third round at Roland Garros.

Fifty-one weeks after lifting Suzanne Lenglen on the Court Philippe-Chatrier, Gauff walked off the same court with her title defence. Potapova, who had enjoyed a resurgence during the clay-court season, produced a composed performance in the decisive moments to pull off one of the biggest upsets of the tournament.

Gauff appeared on course for a spot in the second week after recovering from an early loss in the opening set. After trailing 2-4, the American rallied from four consecutive games to win the set and take control of the contest.

The momentum changed dramatically in the second set. Potapova raced to a 5–1 lead and had two chances to serve out the set, only for Gauff to pull off another comeback by winning five consecutive games. With Potapova serving at 5–6, Gauff moved to within two points of victory, but the Austrian dominated the tiebreak 7–1 as the defending champion was finding errors in her game.

Gauff regained her composure early in the deciding set and took a 3–1 lead, while Potapova appeared to be physically weakening. Yet the 24-year-old once again held deep and clawed her way back into the match, while Gauff struggled to convert her lead into a winning position.

The decisive blow came from Gauff’s serve at 4-5 in the final set. A double fault and an ill-judged drop shot gave Potapova a chance for match point, and moments later Gauff sent a forehand into the stands, ending her bid for a second consecutive French Open title.

The defeat ended a mixed clay-court campaign for Gauff, who battled illness and an early exit in Madrid before finishing runner-up in Rome. Meanwhile, Potapova continued her stellar performance and booked her place in the fourth round.

Perry surprises Anisimova

While Gauff’s exit left the Paris crowd stunned, home favorite Diane Perry ensured there was still plenty to cheer about at Court Philippe-Chatrier.

The 23-year-old became the last Frenchwoman left in the women’s singles draw after beating sixth seed Amanda Anisimova 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(3) to reach the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the first time in her career.

Perry, ranked 92nd in the world, overcame a slow start in the opening set by winning five consecutive games to overcome the 1-3 deficit. Anisimova, a two-time Grand Slam finalist and former Roland Garros semi-finalist in 2025, responded by winning the second set to take the decider.

The final set proved to be tense. Perry led 4–3 but Anisimova quickly fought back and produced a dramatic finish. With the home crowd roaring, the Frenchwoman raised her level in the tiebreak, quickly regaining control and sealing victory on her first match point after two hours and 44 minutes.

As chants echoed around Philippe-Chatrier and supporters waved flags in celebration, Parry soaked in the moment. For the first time in her career, she reached the second week of a Grand Slam, giving the host nation a player to rally around after another eventful day at Roland Garros.

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Rajasthan Royals (AP Photo)

New Delhi: As the dust has settled on the IPL 2026 playoffs and the focus turns to Sunday’s grand finale, one name continues to be in the news in the cricket world – Vaibhav Suryavanshi.

Rajasthan Royals Kishore may have bowed out of the tournament after losing to Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 2, but he has walked out of the tournament with his reputation boosted, his stock on the rise and praise from fans and experts alike. At just 15 years old, Suryavanshi was not just the breakout star of the season; He was definitely the face of IPL 2026.The campaign for Rajasthan Royals ended one step short of the final. Yet considering the ups and downs of their season, reaching Qualifier 2 is a commendable achievement. RR showed resilience, overcame a mid-season slump and unearthed a generational talent that could shape their future for years to come.That season of SuryavanshiEvery IPL season produces some memorable stories. IPL 2026 was in the name of Suryavanshi.The teenage opening batsman finished the season with 776 runs in 16 matches at an average of 48.50 and a strike rate of 237.30. He scored a century and five fifties, redefining the boundaries of fearless batting.Even with GT openers Shubman Gill and Sai Sudarshan having one more game to play, Suryavanshi entered the final weekend as the tournament’s leading run-scorer.What made his numbers even more remarkable was the way he scored. Bowlers arrived with plans and field placements, but few got answers. The youngster attacked pace and spin with equal confidence and often changed the course of the match inside the powerplay.His season-defining performance came in the playoffs. Firstly, in the Eliminator, he played a breathtaking inning of 97 runs in 29 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad, which is one of the most destructive innings in IPL history. Then, when Rajasthan needed another miracle in Qualifier 2, he played a brilliant inning of 96 runs in 47 balls against Gujarat Titans.Both of them emphasized one thing: Suryavanshi is working at a level rarely seen in someone so young.Strong Start, Dramatic Fall, Euphoric RecoveryRR’s campaign can be divided into three distinct phases.The Royals started like genuine title contenders, winning their first four matches and quickly established themselves among the league leaders. Their aggressive batting approach and superior bowling attack made them one of the most balanced teams in the competition.However, the momentum did not last.A disastrous streak of six defeats in eight matches pushed them to the brink of elimination. At one point it seemed that RR would waste their excellent start and miss the playoffs completely.The most disappointing aspect was that even exceptional individual performances were not enough. During this difficult phase, Suryavanshi scored a brilliant century in 36 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad, but in the end he had to face defeat.With two matches remaining, Rajasthan needed to win both the matches to keep their playoff hopes alive.The pressure was immense, but the Royals responded. Suryavanshi scored an inning of 93 against Lucknow Super Giants before the team achieved another important win over Mumbai Indians. Although Kishore failed in that competition, jofra archer Stepped up with a match-winning all-round performance to secure RR’s place in the playoffs.They ultimately finished fourth with eight wins from 14 league matches.Playoff run showed the character of the RoyalsQualifying for the playoffs was an achievement in itself, considering RR found themselves in the middle of the tournament. But the Royals’ work was not done yet.They demolished Sunrisers Hyderabad in the eliminator, largely powered by another Suryavanshi masterclass. This victory demonstrated the team’s fighting spirit and ability to perform under pressure.Qualifier 2 against Gujarat Titans was perhaps the perfect summary of RR’s season. Suryavanshi played another exceptional innings, but GT’s superior depth and experience ultimately proved decisive.Despite posting a record target, RR could not stop the strong opening pair of Gill and Sudarshan, whose record partnership took GT to the final.The defeat was disappointing, but it also highlighted how close Rajasthan Royals are to becoming a championship-winning team.Positives: Foundations of a title contenderrise of suryavanshiThe biggest positive side is obvious. Finding a player capable of scoring 776 runs at a strike rate above 230 changes the fortunes of a franchise. RR now have one of the most exciting talents in world cricket and can build their batting unit around him.Archer’s influenceJofra Archer did what Rajasthan needed from its leadership. This fast bowler took 25 wickets in 16 matches at an average of 22.36. Beyond the wickets, he provided leadership, breakthroughs at crucial moments and valuable contributions down the order. His performance was crucial in keeping RR competitive throughout the season.jurel stabilityDhruv Jurel quietly enjoyed an excellent campaign. The wicketkeeper-batsman scored 515 runs in 16 matches at an average of 36.79 and a strike rate of 154.65, which included six half-centuries. His ability to steady the innings and accelerate when required made him an important member of the batting unit.never give up attitudeMany teams would have folded midway through the season after losing six out of eight matches. Rajasthan did not. They fought back, qualifying for the playoffs and advancing to Qualifier 2. This flexibility will be useful to them moving forward.Negative: Areas that need attentionJaiswal’s inconsistent seasonYashasvi Jaiswal Produced flashes of talent but never reached the heights that were expected of him. His 427 runs in 16 matches were respectable, but RR wanted more consistency from a player capable of dominating attacks.weak middle and lower orderThe biggest weakness in RR’s campaign was the lack of consistent contributions beyond the top order. Donovan Ferreira scored 317 runs Riyan Parag 309 and managed Ravindra Jadeja Added 266 runs. Furthermore, Rajasthan received very little batting support. Often, the side became too dependent on Suryavanshi and Jurel.Archer lacks support in bowlingArcher took a lot of the burden of bowling. Brijesh Sharma and Nandre Berger took 14 wickets each, while Ravi Bishnoi and Jadeja finished with 11 and 10 wickets respectively. Those numbers are useful but not enough for a side targeting the title. RR lacked a second strike bowler who was capable of sharing the workload with Archer consistently.What next for Rajasthan Royals?Despite the sadness of missing the final, Rajasthan Royals should look at IPL 2026 as a step forward.The priority ahead of next season will be to strengthen the middle order and find another wicket-taking fast bowler to partner Archer. Greater batting depth will reduce the reliance on Suryavanshi, while a strong pace attack will make the bowling unit more dangerous in pressure situations.Most importantly, RR have discovered a player around whom an era can be built.The Royals may not have reached the pinnacle, but IPL 2026 will be remembered as the season because the 15-year-old phenomenon captured the imagination of cricket fans everywhere. If RR can overcome some key weaknesses, Suryavanshi’s remarkable rise could form the foundation of a title-winning campaign in 2027.

Even Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill’s match-winning century could not overshadow the talent of Rajasthan Royals teenage player Vaibhav Suryavanshi. After their high-profile Qualifier 2 clash, Gill had the most praise for the 15-year-old wonderkid, boldly declaring him the best batsman in the world at the moment.

Titans defeated Royals to secure their place in the IPL 2026 final. But Suryavanshi’s inning of 96 runs in just 47 balls remained a topic of discussion in the cricket world. Speaking at the pre-match press conference ahead of the summit clash, Gill expressed his deep amazement at the young player’s fearless approach and technical brilliance.

“I think it’s a remarkable season for him. I haven’t seen anyone bat like that. At the moment, he’s one of the best batsmen in the world. It’s remarkable to watch him, not just the hitting, but his batting mechanics and his arm speed, no matter what opponent he plays against. The way he didn’t care after the flyer, but still managed to come back into the game and put us under pressure, it tells you about the mentality. “I think we’ll have a tough time against the opposition we play in the coming years.”

Gill’s praise was well earned Suryavanshi’s breathtaking innings kept RR in the hunt despite facing a ferocious bowling attack. A defining moment of his maturity came when he was hit on the helmet by a sharp, rising bouncer from GT speedster Kagiso Rabada. Instead of getting upset, the young opening batsman calmly got his mandatory medical assessment done, dusted himself off and continued to demolish the opposition bowling. During this brilliant innings, the prodigy also broke records by becoming the fastest player to reach 1,000 IPL Runs in terms of balls faced – surpassing powerhouse Andre Russell – and second fastest in terms of innings (23), just behind Shaun Marsh (21).

While Rajasthan’s campaign has come to a halt, Gujarat Titans are now getting ready to face Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL 2026 Final in Ahmedabad on May 31, in what will be an exciting rematch of their Qualifier 1 battle.

What next for Vaibhav Suryavanshi after IPL 2026?

There is little time for the young talented player to relax as his impressive domestic exploits have already opened the doors to the international circuit. Suryavanshi had a dream start to the IPL season as the proud holder of the Orange Cap, scoring an incredible 776 runs in 16 matches at an average of 48.50 and an astonishing strike rate of 237.30, which included one century and five fifties.

His reward for this historic performance is his maiden call-up to the India A squad for their upcoming assignment in Sri Lanka. All eyes will now be on the 15-year-old as he makes the transition from franchise cricket to the national setup for the much-awaited tri-series, which is scheduled to begin on June 9.

ipl 2026 | ipl schedule | ipl points table | ipl player stats | purple cap | orange cap | ipl video | cricket news | live score

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Sai Sudarshan and Shubman Gill (Photo Courtesy: IPL)

Everything about Gujarat Titans’ season has revolved around the opening pair Shubman Gill And Sai Sudarshan, and now former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan have also joined the growing list of fans of the pair.This pair once again showed their magic in Qualifier 2. Rajasthan RoyalsWhile chasing the difficult target of 215 runs, made a match-winning opening partnership of 167 runs. Gill played a brilliant inning of 104 runs in 53 balls, while Sudarshan provided explosive support by scoring 58 runs in just 32 balls. Their partnership completely absorbed the pressure of the knockout contest and effectively decided the result long before the final overs.Both batsmen have crossed the 700-run mark this season, with Gill currently placed second in the Orange Cap standings with 722 runs, while Sudarshan is right behind him with 710 runs.Speaking on JioStar, Irfan Pathan described Gill and Sudarshan as the greatest opening pair in IPL history.“Shubman Gill and Sai Sudarshan Tata are the best batting pair in IPL history. They hold the record for the highest 100-run partnership and most 50-plus partnerships in the tournament. In T20 cricket, if you want a good start, you want both of them at the top. They complement each other. One rotates the strike, the other finds the boundary. Their understanding is remarkable,” Irfan Pathan said on Geostar.Pathan also highlighted how the pair thwarted Rajasthan Royals’ bowling plans in Qualifier 2.“If bowlers try short-pitched balls, they really enjoy it. They are ready to play cut shots and punish any short ones. Nandre Berger and Jofra Archer did just that. He bowled short and Gill and Sudarshan were waiting. Even when Yashraj Punja came into the attack he bowled slightly shorter lengths. Shubman Gill is not afraid to use his legs against both fast bowlers and spinners. “He comes out, creates space and hits it over the top,” he said. According to Pathan, the 167-run partnership proved to be the defining moment of the match – “Rajasthan Royals lost the match because of the opening partnership of 167 runs in just 77 balls. That stand took the chase away from him completely.”His consistency is nothing new. Last season, despite Gujarat Titans’ eliminator loss to Mumbai Indians, Gill and Sudarshan scored 912 runs in 15 innings, which was the highest partnership of IPL 2025. Sudarshan also ended that campaign as the Orange Cap winner. This season, the pair have already scored 886 runs in 15 innings and need just 27 runs to surpass their own record in the final.

FC Barcelona have completed their first signing of the transfer window after Newcastle United made a huge move for the England winger, officially unveiling Anthony Gordon on Friday. The 25-year-old has signed a five-year contract with the Spanish champions, with the deal reportedly worth an initial €80 million plus add-ons.

This transfer is another important statement from Barcelona as they continue to reshape their squad based on a young core based on recent domestic success.

“I’ve been excited to play for Barça since I was three years old,” Gordon said during his unveiling, as quoted by Reuters. “I wanted to speak Spanish because, as a child, I believed I would play football for Barça. I used to say every day to my physio at Newcastle, ‘One day I will play for Barça,’ so I want to learn Spanish.”

Gordon left Newcastle after a useful spell in the Premier League, scoring 39 goals and providing 28 assists in 152 appearances since joining from Everton in 2023. He also helped the club end its 70-year trophy drought by winning the League Cup last season.

“I wanted to speak Spanish this time,” said a pleased Gordon, speaking in partially fluent Spanish. “It’s very exciting to play with players like Lamine Yamal. The more quality players you have around you, the better you become. They are the best in the world.”

More movement on the sides?

Barcelona rely on Gordon’s pace, intensity and direct attacking style A new dimension will be added to their front line. He followed a strong season scoring 17 goals in all competitions, including 10 goals in 12 Champions League matches.

In their official statement, the club highlighted his consistency and performances against them in Europe. “He comes to the club after being the top scorer and player with the most dribbles with Newcastle United last season. Gordon impressed in his three appearances against Barca in the Champions League last season.”

Gordon had attracted the interest of several top European clubs, including Bayern Munich, who was linked earlier in the window. Newcastle boss Eddie Howe also admitted that discussions were ongoing about his future, suggesting a summer exit was possible.

instead, Barcelona secured his signatureAnother England international has been added to the growing overseas squad alongside Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Ivan Toney.

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Vaibhav Suryavanshi (Image Credit: BCCI/IPL)

New Delhi: As Gujarat Titans celebrated their place in the IPL 2026 final, a distraught Vaibhav Suryavanshi sat quietly in the Rajasthan Royals dugout. The 15-year-old buried his face in his orange cap and wiped away tears, unable to hide his disappointment at seeing his team’s campaign end.This was a rare sight. Throughout the season, Suryavanshi played with freedom and a smile, fearlessly facing some of the best bowlers in the world and lighting up stadiums with his breathtaking strokeplay. But the girl got heartbroken on Friday night in Mullanpur. He did almost everything he could. A brilliant inning of 96 runs in 47 balls took Rajasthan Royals to a strong score of 214/6. However, their valiant effort was not enough as Gujarat Titans won by seven wickets to book their place in the IPL final against defending champions Royal Challengers Bangalore.Chasing 215, Gujarat Titans were led by captain Shubman Gill, whose unbeaten 104 helped his team reach the target with eight balls to spare at New Chandigarh. This knock overshadowed Suryavanshi’s second consecutive 90-plus score in the playoffs.Suryavanshi carried the batting of Rajasthan Royals throughout the season, scoring 776 runs, hitting 72 sixes and rewriting the record books. Yet, in that moment, none of those accomplishments mattered.Even as captain Riyan Parag addressed the broadcasters during the post-match presentation, Suryavanshi remained sitting in the dugout, struggling to control his emotions. A member of the support staff was sitting near him, consoling the young player who had given everything for his team but had fallen just short at the final hurdle.“I can’t really put it into words. There’s a way where you just go and slog and then you get a lot of runs. But the way he has batted, it is not just slogging. This is not blind sloganeering. RR captain Parag said after the match, if you are moving from the very first ball then you cannot do what you did today.“He calculates, he assesses situations. He literally does everything well. I still don’t understand how. But hopefully he keeps doing that. Hopefully he represents our country and brings more glory to the country. And hopefully he keeps playing for Rajasthan Royals and gets us another championship,” Parag said.At the age of just 15, Suryavanshi showed that behind the fearless batting, sky-scraping sixes and record-breaking performances, there is a young cricketer who cares deeply for his team. Personal achievements and personal accolades could not ease the pain of abolition.His IPL 2026 journey may have ended with tears, but it also marked the arrival of one of the brightest young talents in the game. Rajasthan Royals’ season has ended, but for Vaibhav Suryavanshi it feels like just the beginning.

Rajasthan Royals head coach Kumar Sangakkara has questioned Sam Curran’s absence from IPL 2026 after the England all-rounder returned to action for Surrey in the Vitality Blast despite the franchise being informed that he suffered a season-ending injury.

I will talk later Rajasthan Royals defeat in Qualifier 2Sangakkara said it was disappointing to see Curran return to action in England after the franchise was informed that the all-rounder would miss the entire season due to injury.

Sangakkara told reporters, “We were told Sam Curran had a season-ending injury, but I think I saw him play two or three games for Surrey. It was disappointing because we would have loved to have had him with us.”

Curran was signed by Rajasthan Royals for Rs 2.40 crore but withdrew before the start of the season due to a back injury. The franchise then brought in Sri Lankan all-rounder Dasun Shanaka as his replacement.

Sangakkara said that when the Royals were informed about the injury they accepted the situation and praised the team for the way they responded despite losing a player of Curran’s calibre.

“Having brought in Dasun Shanaka as a replacement after being initially informed, I think the team and everyone involved should be extremely proud of their achievement,” he said.

The former Sri Lanka captain also supported the BCCI’s stance on player withdrawal and injuries and said that clear rules were necessary to protect the interests of franchises.

“There is always a need for a proper, strict policy on this and the BCCI has a strict policy on this. Injuries are part of the game, and if it is a serious, season-ending injury, then of course we understand,” Sangakkara said.

Curran’s return comes after a groin problem that troubled him during England’s T20 World Cup campaign. said after taking out IPLThe 27-year-old had said that scans revealed there was enough damage to require an extended period of rehabilitation.

Curran told the BBC at the time, “It’s an injury I’ve been struggling with a bit. It’s gradually got partially worse. I went for some scans, and it showed fair damage, so I had to make a tough decision. It was bothering me quite a bit.”

The England all-rounder also admitted that missing the IPL was a big blow.

“It was very disappointing to miss the IPL, and now I feel I have a rehab block to try to get stronger and fit whenever I feel like it,” he said.

However, Curran’s return to Surrey before the IPL season ended has prompted renewed discussion about player availability and injury replacements.

Sangakkara pointed to the commitment shown by many members of the Rajasthan Royals team, including players who remained with the team despite limited opportunities.

“We have had a lot of injuries ourselves. We also have players like Adam Milne, Shimron Hetmyer, Luan-Dre Pretorius and Kwena Mafaka who are here despite not getting much game time. They have worked hard, practised, watered for the team and worked as hard as anyone to support the team on this journey,” he said.

Sangakkara avoided making any direct allegations and said that the existing rules of BCCI should remain in force.

He said, “It’s really up to the individual player to decide whether they want to come or not, but I think the BCCI’s policy is very strict now, and it should stay that way. It ensures that contractual obligations are met fairly and realistically, and I think every IPL side will benefit from that.”

ipl 2026 | ipl schedule | ipl points table | ipl player stats | purple cap | orange cap | ipl video | cricket news | live score

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Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Kagiso Rabada

New Delhi: Another dramatic twist in the race for IPL 2026 Orange Cap and Purple Cap after Gujarat Titans’ defeat Rajasthan Royals in Qualifier 2 on Friday for the final clash against Royal Challengers Bangalore.Despite Rajasthan Royals crashing out of the tournament, teenage sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi retained the Orange Cap with another breathtaking innings. The 15-year-old scored 96 runs in just 47 balls in New Chandigarh, taking his tally of runs to 776 in 16 matches this season.However, his valiant effort was not enough to take RR to the final.The biggest threat to Suryavanshi’s Orange Cap now comes from Gujarat Titans’ opening pair of Shubman Gill and Sai Sudarshan, who once again performed brilliantly while chasing the crucial target.Gill scored a brilliant century in Qualifier 2 and moved up to second in the standings with 722 runs, while Sudarshan’s fluent half-century helped him move up to third with 710 runs.With GT now heading into the IPL 2026 final against RCB in Ahmedabad on Sunday, both Gill and Sudarshan will get one final chance to overtake Suryavanshi in the race for the tournament’s highest run-scorer award.The list of top five run getters is currently dominated by batsmen from playoff teams. Sunrisers Hyderabad stars Heinrich Klaasen and Ishan Kishan are at the fourth and fifth positions with 624 and 602 runs respectively.RCB’s batting icon Virat Kohli also remains in controversy. Kohli is currently placed sixth with 600 runs and can still rise in the standings during the final.

IPL 2026 Orange Cap after GT vs RR

Rabada overtook Bhuvneshwar in the Purple Cap race

After the fast bowler of Gujarat Titans, there was a big change in the status of Purple Cap. Kagiso Rabada Delivered another impressive spell in Qualifier 2.Rabada took two wickets for 35 runs against Rajasthan Royals and topped the list of wicket-takers with 28 wickets in 16 matches.In Sunday’s title match, South African fast bowler is now ahead of RCB fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar by two wickets. Bhuvneshwar is second with 26 wickets and will have a direct chance to challenge Rabada in the final.Rajasthan Royals fast bowler Jofra Archer finished his campaign in third place with 25 wickets in 16 matches.Chennai Super Kings fast bowler Anshul Kamboj is in fourth place with 21 wickets, while Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Ishan Malinga is in the top five with 20 wickets in 15 matches.

ipl 2026 purple cap after gt vs rr

With one match left in the tournament, the race for both the Orange Cap and Purple Cap is headed towards a blockbuster IPL 2026 final.

Brief Scores: Gujarat Titans (219/3 in 18.4 overs) defeated Rajasthan Royals (214/7) by 7 wickets in Qualifier 2 to reach the IPL final. Gill (104)

And just like that, the Vaibhav Suryavanshi show is over for IPL 2026. Gujarat Titans put an end to 15 years of this brutal, incredible, thoroughly entertaining party, defeating Rajasthan Royals and storming into the final.

GT vs RR, Qualifier 2: highlighted | Achievement:

A breathtaking 96 from Suryavanshi, breathtaking not in the way his explosive strokeplay usually is, but in the painful, laborious, tough-every-run way – built against tight plans and a brilliant fast bowling display from the Gujarat Titans, was ultimately not enough in Mullanpur on Friday, May 29.

Scoring his maiden IPL century, Shubman Gill had other ideas Probably the best moment in two years. Gujarat Titans chased 215 – a target of over 200 for the first time this season – with seven wickets and eight balls to spare, with Gill and Sai Sudarshan making a brilliant 167-run opening stand that made it all look like a Sunday outing.

Both captains had said that they would have batted first and hoped that the pitch would help the team score the total. It didn’t work out that way – or perhaps more accurately, Gill and Sudarshan refused to do it.

They will now face Royal Challengers Bangalore in the final – their third in five seasons – a rematch of Qualifier 1, where Gill’s team was defeated by the defending champions. But they head to Ahmedabad brimming with confidence, and the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday promises to be an exciting battle. But that’s for another day.

For now, back to New Chandigarh.

Not many people came to the Maharaja Yadvendra Singh International Cricket Stadium wearing a Shubman Gill shirt, not even in the Test captain’s own backyard. Nearly half the crowd, including children, had traveled alone for one reason: Vaibhav Suryavanshi.

Both the Captain and the Schoolboys gave them a lot to be happy about, but it was Punjab Da Puttar who walked away with the bragging rights when it mattered most. And that’s why teams keep struggling to make the top two.

It buys you something priceless: a second chance, a clean slate, a path to the finals even if injured. After Royal Challengers Bangalore defeated Gujarat Titans in Dharamshala on Tuesday, Gujarat Titans were in exactly the same position – bruised, battered, and criticized by many. Yet they walked away free of the memory of that defeat, like a side suffering from selective amnesia.

Their bowling attack rose to the occasion and restricted Rajasthan Royals to 214 runs despite one of the most mature and brilliant innings from Suryavanshi in the IPL.
And with the bat, he was clinical and determined from the first ball. It was exactly the kind of win Gujarat Titans needed – validation of their process, their belief in a more conservative style than most in this T20 tournament on steroids.

Even on the eve of the game, when assistant coach Parthiv Patel was asked whether Gujarat were one-dimensional, predictable in their batting and bowling plans, he bristled. “Everyone has a different way of playing. We have our own style. Even in the first part of the tournament, when we were not doing that well and were doing okay, we still stuck to our process. We are confident in our ability and we know what we can do,” he said.

And that process was no secret. Gujarat Titans were a top-heavy batting team – they needed Gill, Sai Sudarshan and Jos Buttler to play big innings. They relied heavily on their in-form new ball pair of Mohammed Siraj and Kagiso Rabada to defend or set up scores. Nine of their 14 league wins were built on exactly the same script. No surprises, no trickery – just backing your best players to perform well, and often, they did.

Then came Qualifier 1, and the wheels came off brilliantly. None of the top three shot. Siraj and Rabada were taken to the cleaners. The pace not only slowed down – it collapsed. After defeating Sunrisers Hyderabad, they did the same as they traveled from Dharamshala to New Chandigarh to face Rajasthan Royals.

Yet Gujarat came out looking like a team that has completely erased the memories of Tuesday. Before this season they had never even come close to chasing 200-plus. Yet under the immense pressure of their campaign, their always reliable opening batsmen did what they do best.

Sixteen runs were scored in the first over bowled by Jofra Archer – declaring their intentions loud and clear. Even after this he did not step back. Sudarshan was dismissed for 14, the only chance the pair had in the first ten overs. There was no ruckus, no careless swing – the first six of Gujarat’s innings did not come until the ninth over. But by then he had crossed 100.

That foundation set them up for a relatively comfortable second half, even if Sudarshan fell to another odd hit wicket. Gill, regardless of this, scored 104 runs in 53 balls to take the Titans to the final.

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Vaibhav Suryavanshi of Rajasthan Royals (AP Photo)

Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s incredible IPL 2026 campaign hit another historic milestone on Friday Rajasthan Royals Kishore became the first uncapped player to score 700 runs in an IPL season. The record-breaking feat came during Rajasthan Royals’ high-pressure Qualifier 2 clash against Gujarat Titans, further cementing Suryavanshi’s place in IPL folklore. The youngster is already rewriting the record books at an astonishing pace. Earlier in the same game, Suryavanshi also became the first player in T20 history to score 500 runs in the powerplay during a tournament, highlighting his unprecedented dominance in the first six overs. By the time Qualifier 2 came, Suryavanshi was already in terrible form. In the last game, he scored a blistering 97 runs off just 29 balls and missed out on scoring the fastest century in IPL history. He also went ahead during that innings chris gayleThe number of 59 sixes is the record for the most number of sixes ever hit in an IPL season. Against Gujarat Titans, Rajasthan Royals were once again under early pressure despite winning the toss and electing to bat first. Yashasvi Jaiswal He was out after scoring just one run in the initial over, while in the second over, Dhruv Jurel was also out due to the early dismissal of Mohammad Siraj and Kagiso Rabada. The double blow showed how much RR had relied on their top order throughout the tournament. Amidst the fear of collapse of the innings, the responsibility once again fell on Suryavanshi. Interestingly, Rajasthan Royals promoted Jadeja to No. 4 and the move worked brilliantly as he joined Suryavanshi to steady the innings. Despite early wickets, RR crossed the 70-run mark inside the powerplay.Highest scoring IPL seasons by uncapped players:

The historic season now sees Suryavanshi sitting alone at the top of the list of highest-scoring IPL campaigns by uncapped players. His 700-run season has overtaken Yashasvi Jaiswal’s 625-run campaign of 2023 and Shaun Marsh’s iconic 616-run season in the 2008 inaugural edition.