Despite RR's strong performances in the tournament, Kumble feels the side still enters the contest as underdogs but backed them to edge past Gujarat if Vaibhav delivers another impactful start.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a hard one to predict. It\u2019s really hard because Rajasthan have done well, yet they still seem to be the underdogs. I think I\u2019ll go with the underdogs. I\u2019m still expecting Vaibhav to do what he did against SRH because if Vaibhav does that, Rajasthan will have the advantage,\u201d Kumble told JioHotstar.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The young RR opener has been one of the standout performers of the season and currently holds the Orange Cap. The 15-year-old played a brilliant knock of 97 runs against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), which proved crucial to their big win in the eliminator.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cVaibhav Suryavanshi is the Orange Cap holder, and that doesn\u2019t come from doing it just once or against a couple of teams. He\u2019s done it consistently over the last two months, and that says a lot about the youngster. It\u2019s not just about going out there and bashing a few sixes, even though he is the highest six-hitter now. If he bats through the Powerplay, RR will have the advantage,\u201d Kumble added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Kumble, however, pointed out that the Gujarat Titans possess a potent new-ball attack capable of putting Rajasthan under pressure early in the innings.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cGT have a very set plan. They have Mohammed Siraj and Kagiso Rabada bowling three overs each, and that\u2019s where the game could change,\u201d he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The former India leg-spinner also noted that the conditions in Ahmedabad have suited Gujarat\u2019s seamers this season, though he expects them to regroup after their previous outing.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cGT have a very set plan. They have Mohammed Siraj and Kagiso Rabada bowling three overs each, and that\u2019s where the game could change,\u201d he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The winner of Friday\u2019s Qualifier 2 will progress to the IPL 2026 final, where they will face the defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on Sunday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n