Netizens expressed their disappointment against the Rajasthan Royals’ batting performance against the Gujarat Titans in their May 9th clash, and labelled it as ‘irresponsible’. The Gujarat Titans put on a clinical batting performance in Match 52 of IPL 2026, posting a total of 229/4 against the mighty Royals at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium. GT captain Shubman Gill played a sensational knock of 84 runs off 44 balls. He was well supported by Sai Sudharsan, who scored a formidable 55, setting an easy course for the middle order. Although RR took bowling but couldn’t bank on the bowling conditions failing miserably, even Jofra Archer and Tushar Deshpande led to good cameos from Washington Sundar and Rahul Tewatia.

Unlike RR’s batting prowess in powerplay and going all ‘gun blazing’ by openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and wonder kid Viabhav Sooryavanshi, it was a different scenario. Jaiswal fell early to Rabada and Vaibhav to Siraj, exposing the middle order too, as Dhruv Jurel, Hetmyer and Donovan Ferreira were to depart next, leaving them at 91/5 at the end of 8 overs.

Netizens quickly pointed out that the Rajasthan Royals batters have started choking, and their middle-order insufficiency has once again been exposed. Some also expressed the fact that RR’s batting mostly depends on the opening pair. Few netizens even had doubts about the Rajasthan Royals missing the top four qualification spot.

Rajasthan Royals Qualification Scenario in IPL 2026

Rajasthan Royals are in a strong position for the IPL 2026 playoffs, sitting with 12 points from 10 matches and a healthy Net Run Rate (+0.510). But the fact that many teams at this time are crowded with 12 points, all fighting for the Top four. One match loss from here can affect RR’s comfortable position. For qualification, RR likely need to win 2 of their remaining 4 games to reach 16 points, making their final matches crucial.

If they win only one of their next 4 games, they reach 14 points, and then it might get tighter at last, depending on NRR. The whole scenario depends on the permutations and combinations of other teams, too. They have the next three matches against Delhi Capitals, Lucknow SuperGiants and Mumbai Indians.