New Chandigarh If Gujarat Titans relies on its core of consistent performers to win T20 matches, Rajasthan Royals’ hopes seem to ride primarily on the X-factor of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.

It is perhaps a simplistic reading of the two franchises, but the neutral observer would certainly gravitate towards the latter simply because of the unadulterated thrill that Sooryavanshi’s stroke-making ability elicits.

When a query along these lines was put to Titans’ assistant coach Parthiv Patel on the eve of Qualifier 2, the former wicketkeeper-batter asserted that results vindicate the franchise’s approach.

“Every team has a different way of playing. We have been quite consistent about the way we go about our business. As long as we are getting results, we don’t have to think about whether we need an X-factor,” Parthiv said on Thursday.

“Other teams can think whatever they want to think. Even in the first half of the tournament, we were not doing great. But we still stuck to our process. We trust in our ability. If we execute our plans, we can win.”

Titans’ established template is facilitated by Sai Sudharsan’s voracious appetite for run-scoring at the top. He may not be as explosive as the young left-hander in the opposition, but Parthiv sees no need for the opener from Chennai to change tack.

“I don’t think there is any kind of temptation to tell Sai Sudharsan to go at a higher strike rate. If someone is striking at 300, it doesn’t mean that everyone has to,” said Parthiv.

Assistant coach Parthiv Patel said Gujarat Titans would look to maximise the impact of its pace attack against Rajasthan Royals by striking early in Saturday’s (May 9, 2026) Indian Premier League (IPL) clash at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium.

“If we get wickets at the start, then we have quite an upper hand in the game. Our plans are quite set, and we are quite comfortable with the way we are playing right now. With the kind of bowling attack we have, we would want to restrict them to the minimum score possible,” he said on Friday.

Parthiv reserved special praise for the new-ball pair of Mohammed Siraj and Kagiso Rabada, highlighting the pressure they have created in recent matches.

“Both are highly performing players at the international level. You know the pedigree both of them bring, especially with the new ball. Rabada bowling 150 kph consistently and the way Siraj has been putting pressure — it’s great to see.”

He also hailed the influence of Jason Holder, calling him “that proper all-rounder” capable of anchoring an innings or finishing aggressively, while also bringing tactical awareness with the ball.

Parthiv also praised Rajasthan youngsters Ashok Sharma and Manav Suthar, calling the former “a very good prospect” with “a very bright future for India” while highlighting the latter’s maturity and consistency in domestic cricket.