IPL 2026: Rabada on 'tennis-ball bounce' pitch in Qualifier 2 at New Chandigarh
Synopsis
Purple Cap leader Kagiso Rabada revealed the New Chandigarh pitch was playing with a 'tennis-ball bounce' in IPL 2026 Qualifier 2 — and that disciplined line and length was the only way to counter it. With GT needing 215 to dethrone Rajasthan Royals and face RCB in the final, Rabada's reading of the surface could be the tactical key to the chase.
Key Takeaways
Kagiso Rabada holds the Purple Cap with 28 wickets in IPL 2026 .
Rajasthan Royals set Gujarat Titans a target of 215 in Qualifier 2 at New Chandigarh on 29 May .
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi top-scored with 96 , supported by Ravindra Jadeja (45) and Donovan Ferreira (38*) .
Rabada described the pitch as having 'tennis-ball bounce' and stressed line and length as the primary wicket-taking tool.
The IPL 2026 final is scheduled at the Narendra Modi Stadium , Ahmedabad , on Sunday against defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru .
Both GT and RR are aiming to reach their third IPL final .
Kagiso Rabada, the Gujarat Titans pacer and current Purple Cap holder with 28 wickets, said bowling in IPL 2026 Qualifier 2 against Rajasthan Royals at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh on 29 May demanded disciplined line and length while adapting to the pitch's distinctive 'tennis-ball bounce'.
The Target GT Must Chase
Rajasthan Royals posted a daunting 214-run total, built on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's brilliant 96, a punishing 45 from Ravindra Jadeja, and Donovan Ferreira's unbeaten 38 in the death overs. Gujarat Titans must overhaul that target to advance to the IPL 2026 final, where defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru await at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday. Both GT and RR are chasing their third IPL final appearance.
Rabada on Reading the Pitch
Speaking in a mid-innings chat with broadcasters, Rabada described the surface as offering a distinct character. 'I think there was a little bit (of help) in that wicket. It's got some tennis ball bounce. So, trying to hang as much as possible in and around that area, and then adjust accordingly. That's always key, bowling is about line and length. The more you miss your line and length, the more you decrease your chances of getting a wicket,' he said.
Rabada, who also claimed the prized wicket of top-scorer Sooryavanshi, added: 'So that's what I tried to do — just be consistent. That's what we tried to do on this wicket. See what it offers, and then adjust accordingly and use your instincts as you go along.'
Was the Pitch Double-Paced?
Asked whether the surface was playing at two different speeds, Rabada pushed back on the suggestion. 'Not too much. I think the ball is coming onto the bat quite decently. They scored 214 runs, so that tells you that the ball is coming on pretty decently. But you still have to bat well. You still have to form some good partnerships, and then that's the way to chase this total,' he said.
What GT Must Do to Reach the Final
The chase of 215 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium is steep but not unprecedented at this ground. GT's batting unit will need to build partnerships and maintain momentum through the middle overs — precisely the kind of measured approach Rabada prescribed for the bowlers. The winner earns a spot in the final against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Sunday in Ahmedabad.
Point of View
Which is hosting a high-stakes knockout for the first time under this level of scrutiny. GT's bowlers adapted; whether their batters can do the same against a total of 215 is the real test. A chase of this magnitude, on a pitch that offers uneven carry, will expose any brittleness in the middle order — and that could define whether GT's campaign ends here or in Ahmedabad.
NationPress
10 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Kagiso Rabada say about the New Chandigarh pitch in IPL 2026 Qualifier 2?
Rabada described the pitch at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium as having a 'tennis-ball bounce' and said sticking to line and length was the primary strategy for taking wickets. He noted that missing line and length reduces a bowler's chances of success on such surfaces.
What target are Gujarat Titans chasing in IPL 2026 Qualifier 2?
Gujarat Titans need to score 215 runs to beat Rajasthan Royals and advance to the IPL 2026 final. The target was set on the back of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's 96, Ravindra Jadeja's 45, and Donovan Ferreira's unbeaten 38.
Who will Gujarat Titans face in the IPL 2026 final if they win Qualifier 2?
The winner of Qualifier 2 will face defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL 2026 final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday.
How many wickets has Kagiso Rabada taken in IPL 2026?
Kagiso Rabada has taken 28 wickets in IPL 2026, making him the current Purple Cap holder heading into Qualifier 2.
Is the New Chandigarh pitch double-paced?
Rabada said the pitch was not significantly double-paced, noting the ball was 'coming onto the bat quite decently' — a reading supported by Rajasthan Royals posting 214 runs. He stressed that batters still need to construct partnerships to chase such a total.
