Mullanpur: Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag was seen having an animated discussion with a distraught Vaibhav Sooryavanshi moments after the 15-year-old prodigy fell agonisingly short of a century for the second successive match, as Gujarat Titans knocked RR out of IPL 2026 with a record chase in Qualifier 2 on Friday.

Sooryavanshi, who had earlier missed out on a hundred with a 97 in the Eliminator against Sunrisers Hyderabad, once again looked destined for a landmark knock before being dismissed for a stunning 96 off 47 balls. The teenager was caught at third man off Kagiso Rabada while attempting another attacking stroke, leaving him visibly devastated.

Television cameras captured Parag speaking animatedly to the youngster after his dismissal, while later images showed Sooryavanshi sitting in the dugout with his face buried in his Orange Cap as Gujarat Titans celebrated a seven-wicket victory.

Even during the post-match presentation, the teenage sensation appeared unable to contain his emotions and was seen being comforted by a member of the Rajasthan Royals support staff.

Despite the heartbreak, Sooryavanshi's innings helped Rajasthan Royals recover from 9/2 and post a formidable 214/6. Donovan Ferreira then provided a late flourish with an unbeaten 38 off just 11 balls, including four sixes in Rashid Khan's final over, which cost 27 runs and equalled the record for the most expensive over bowled by a spinner in IPL playoff history.

However, the Gujarat Titans produced an even better batting display.

Gill, Sudharsan power Gujarat into final

Chasing 215, Gujarat Titans openers Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan virtually sealed the contest with a magnificent 167-run opening partnership.

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Gill smashed 104 off 53 balls, striking 15 fours and three sixes, while Sudharsan contributed a fluent 58 off 32 deliveries with eight fours and a six.

Reflecting on his partnership with the Gujarat skipper, Sudharsan said, "[On batting with Gill] I think we understand conditions very well, and understand what to do in this kind of game, and to be very honest, he played unbelievably today."

Gill's century ensured that Sooryavanshi's valiant effort ended in defeat as Gujarat chased down the target in just 18.4 overs, registering the highest successful run chase in IPL playoff history.

The chase surpassed Punjab Kings' pursuit of 204 against Mumbai Indians in the previous season's Qualifier 2 and also became Gujarat Titans' highest-ever chase in the IPL.

Sooryavanshi ends season with historic numbers

While Rajasthan Royals' campaign came to a painful end, Sooryavanshi leaves the tournament with numbers rarely seen in T20 cricket, let alone from a 15-year-old.

The teenager finished IPL 2026 with 776 runs in 16 innings at an average of 48.50 and a staggering strike rate of 237.50. His season included one century, five half-centuries and an incredible 72 sixes.

In the Eliminator against Sunrisers Hyderabad, he had smashed a breathtaking 97 off just 29 balls, hitting 12 sixes and surpassing Chris Gayle's IPL 2012 tally of 59 sixes in a season.

Sooryavanshi also completed 1,000 IPL runs during the playoffs, becoming the fastest player to reach the milestone in terms of balls faced, requiring only 440 deliveries. He also became the second-fastest player to the landmark by innings, reaching it in 23 innings, behind Shaun Marsh's 21.

Despite the disappointment of missing consecutive centuries and watching his side exit the tournament, the teenager's campaign is already being hailed as one of the most remarkable breakthrough seasons in IPL history.