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Gujarat Titans assistant coach Parthiv Patel has admitted that stopping Vaibhav Sooryavanshi early will be one of GT’s biggest priorities when they face Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2026 Qualifier 2 on Friday.The 15-year-old batting sensation heads into the knockout clash in red-hot form after producing one of the most destructive innings ever seen in an IPL playoff match. Sooryavanshi hammered 97 off just 29 deliveries against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Eliminator, smashing 12 sixes and completely dismantling SRH’s bowling attack.The RR opener also equalled Suresh Raina’s record for the fastest IPL playoff half-century, reaching the milestone in only 16 balls. He came agonisingly close to breaking Chris Gayle’s all-time record for the fastest IPL century before falling three runs short. However, Sooryavanshi did surpass Gayle’s long-standing record for the most sixes in a single IPL season, taking his tally to 65 maximums.With Rajasthan Royals now preparing to take on Gujarat Titans for a place in the final against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, much of the attention has shifted towards how GT plan to contain the teenage superstar.Speaking ahead of the clash in New Chandigarh, Parthiv Patel acknowledged Sooryavanshi’s extraordinary form and revealed that Gujarat Titans have already spent time analysing his batting closely.“I am feeling good about the way he is batting. Hopefully, we will try to take him out early in the game. As all the teams are planning, we have seen the videos. Hopefully, we will be able to execute our plan. But what it is, we will be able to tell you when we are on the ground,” Patel told reporters.Patel also praised the youngster’s fearless batting approach while making it clear that GT would prefer not to see him settle at the crease.“He has been a phenomenal talent, just the way he has been playing. It’s great to see. From the opposition’s point of view, we hope that he doesn’t get going tomorrow,” he added.One of the key contests in Qualifier 2 is expected to be Sooryavanshi’s battle against Gujarat Titans’ pace attack, particularly new-ball bowlers Mohammed Siraj and Kagiso Rabada.Sooryavanshi has enjoyed a staggering season with the bat, scoring 680 runs in 15 innings at an average of 45.33 and a strike rate of 242.85. His campaign includes one century, four fifties, 55 fours and 65 sixes, underlining the sheer dominance he has displayed throughout IPL 2026.
