Why did Rajasthan Royals lose in IPL 2026? Team head coach Kumar Sangakkara told the reason? Even after scoring 215 runs, where are the mistakes left? Why did Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s SP break up? An opportunity that could have changed the match, Sangakkara revealed the secret of defeat?
Chandigarh: Rajasthan Royals’ IPL 2026 journey has ended after losing to Gujarat Titans by seven wickets. After this defeat, RR Director of Cricket and Head Coach Kumar Sangakkara believes that his team was able to score 10 to 15 runs less than where it started from. He said, “I think the pitch had become a little better. Both the teams were looking to bat first. It was a used pitch. But surprisingly, it had become even flatter than the last game. Still, I think the score of 215 was saveable. We had a small chance when SAI bowled the ball in the air. In T20 matches, such small chances turn the game.”
Gujarat created history in playoff
He further said, “But he (GT) batted brilliantly. He also bowled very intelligently. I think with the rhythm we had in the beginning, we probably fell behind by 10-15 runs. Yes, losing two wickets in the beginning was huge, but both the teams played well. Our reaching 215 and then them chasing it down so easily is full credit to GT.”
Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s storm in vain?
- In the match, GT had asked RR to bat first. Thanks to Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s brilliant inning of 96 runs in 47 balls (eight fours and seven sixes) and Donovan Ferreira’s stormy inning of 38* runs in 11 balls (two fours and four sixes), Royals scored 214/6 in 20 overs.
- Chasing the target of 215, captain Shubman Gill’s century of 104 runs in 53 balls (15 fours and three sixes) and his 167-run partnership with Sai Sudarshan (58 runs in 32 balls, eight fours and one six) laid the foundation for Gujarat’s three-wicket win.
GT also has the biggest run-chase in IPL
This was the biggest target chased in the IPL playoffs. Earlier last year, Punjab Kings (PBKS) had achieved the target of 204 runs in Qualifier-2 against Mumbai Indians (MI). This is also GT’s biggest run-chase in IPL, they chased 204 runs against Delhi Capitals (DC) in 2025.
Vaibhav again created history
- 15-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi was the top run-scorer this season with 776 runs in 16 matches. He scored at an average of 48.50 and a strike rate of 237.31, which included 63 fours and 72 sixes.
- He also completed his 1,000 runs in the IPL and achieved the feat the fastest in terms of balls (in just 440 balls). He left West Indies legend Andre Russell behind. In terms of innings, he was the second fastest (23 innings), Shaun Marsh (21 innings) leads the list.
- In bowling, fast bowler Jofra Archer took 25 wickets and became the leading wicket-taker for RR this season.
RR was too dependent on Archer and Suryavanshi
- When Sangakkara was asked whether RR relied too much on Archer and Suryavanshi, the head coach said, “Every season there are some players who do a little bit more than others. But I think we got a lot of support from other players as well. Joffra and Vaibhav were the stars in many matches. The runs they scored in the powerplay… but everyone else around them also contributed. Look at Dhruv Jurel, what a great season he had!”
- He added, “Ryan also played important innings. Jaiswal played some very important innings for us at the beginning of the season. Deshpande bowled a crucial over against GT. Jadeja’s economy has been close to eight throughout the season. Brijesh Sharma took 4 for 27 against MI. So there are many examples where everyone else also did their part. You will always have star players, but when the rest of the guys also stand behind them, things become easier. She goes.”
Sometimes in cricket you lose even after playing well.
- Talking about the highlight of this season, he said, “The way the boys stuck together and focused on the task at hand. We faced injuries, we missed some matches, we played bad cricket at times and great cricket at times, and they handled themselves very well through all these ups and downs, remained calm and focused, and it was great to see.”
- He said, “As I always say, we all know what they are capable of, but I am most proud of the fact that all these cricketers have given their best to each other, to the team and to the franchise. I can’t ask for anything more than that.”
- He concluded by saying, “Sometimes in cricket you lose even after playing well, and tonight GT were better than us, but I wouldn’t want to be anywhere other than in the RR dressing room with these boys.” (ANI)