Mullanpur (Punjab) [India], May 29 (ANI): An excellent 47-ball 96 by 15-year-old batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and a late-innings blitz by Donovan Ferreira rescued Rajasthan Royals from a horrific start, guiding them to a challenging 214/6 in their 20 overs against Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 Qualifier 2 at Mullanpur on Friday.

A counter-attacking half-century, Sooryavanshi rescued Rajasthan Royals from a catastrophic start, lifting them from 13/2 to 2145/6 in 20 overs. An unbeaten 11-ball 38 off Ferreira's bat also played a key role in RR's resurgence after early wickets.

Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Rajasthan's decision backfired instantly as GT's pace attack unleashed a fiery opening spell. Mohammed Siraj set the tone in the very first over, dismissing the dangerous Yashasvi Jaiswal for just 1, as the left-hander was caught trying to break the shackles early. Things worsened for the Royals in the following over when Kagiso Rabada cleaned up Dhruv Jurel, leaving RR struggling at 13/2 in 2 overs.

Sooryavanshi unleashed an instant counter-attack as he slammed three boundaries off Siraj in the third over. After 3 overs, RR were 34-2.

With the responsibility of manoeuvring the Powerplay overs falling majorly on Sooryavanshi, the 15-year-old single-handedly shifted the momentum back toward RR.

He, along with Ravindra Jadeja, guided RR to a solid 70/2 after the Powerplay.

GT's Washington Sundar and Jason Holder delivered quiet overs as after 8 overs, RR stood at 82/2.

Notably, Jadeja retired hurt as he walked off the field after he felt discomfort in his elbow. However, it did not stall RR's momentum as new batter in, captain Riyan Parag, took no time to launch an aggressive assault on GT bowlers as RR got 18 runs off the ninth over, delivered by Rashid Khan.

However, Parag's stay on the crease was short as Holder got rid off the opposition captain in the 10th over. After 10 overs, RR were 103/3. Holder got another wicket as he dismissed Dasun Shanaka in the 12th over, reducing RR to 111/4 in 12 overs.

Prasidh Krishna removed Jofra Archer in the 13th overs to reduce RR to 120/5 after 13 overs. Following Archer's wicket, Jadeja came back to the crease.

While RR lost wickets at regular intervals, Sooryavanshi brought up his sixth fifty of the season, in 31 balls.

The left-handed batter slammed a six and two boundaries to Holder in the 16th over, taking RR to 154/5. In the next over as well, Sooryavanshi went full-on onslaught mode as he slammed two sixes off Washington Sundar in the 17th over, reaching 90s. After 17 overs, RR were 171/5.

Just when Sooryavanshi looked set for a century, Kagiso Rabada struck in the 18th over, removing the opener for a 47-ball 96 run knock, including eight fours and seven sixes.

New batter Donovan Ferreira played a destructive cameo as he helped RR get 39 runs in the last two overs, including 27 off the last over as he slammed Rashid Khan for four sixes, taking RR to 214/6 in 20 overs.

For GT, Rabada (2/35 in 4 overs) and Holder (2/27 in 4 overs) were the standout performers in the bowling department. (ANI)