Are Gujarat Titans a "set template" team? Assistant coach Parthiv Patel refuses to believe so, calling them a team that plays in its own style, ahead of their IPL 2026 Qualifier 2 clash against Rajasthan Royals on Friday (May 29).

The Titans, ranked second on the points table at the end of the league stage, slipped against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Qualifier 1. Stung by a 92-run defeat, they must now go through RR to set up a revenge clash against the defending champions. RR come off a thumping win over SRH, thanks largely to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's 97 (29), one shot away from being the joint-fastest IPL ton.

Twice before, these teams have met in the Playoffs: both occasions were in 2022, Titans' debut year, when they first beat RR in Qualifier 1, and again in the final.

This year, their success has revolved around the ever-consistent opening pair of Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan, with Kagiso Rabada and Mohammed Siraj excelling with the new ball. Jason Holder has brought all-round balance, while Rashid Khan is close to his best after a forgettable last season.

Yet, in a tournament where some teams are pushing the limits of high scoring, Titans' top-order success has traditionally been more volume-based, revolving around Gill-Sudharsan putting on big partnerships. When asked if it makes them predictable, especially when stacked against a more radical RR unit, Parthiv reminded everyone about GT's success as a team through the league phase.

"We were sitting pretty at number 2 on the points table," Parthiv said. "I know other teams can think whatever they want to think. There are six teams who have not qualified also. And I know the references which we have come from.

"We have finished number two. And we know what kind of cricket we want to play. And we back ourselves to give results".

Parthiv reminded everyone the team's consistency since its inception: a title on debut, runner's up the following year and reaching the playoffs again last year.

"Everybody has their different way of playing. We have our own style of playing."

Naturally, Sooryavanshi will be the cynosure of all eyes, having charted new heights with his Eliminator knock at the same venue. While praising him, Parthiv looked to downplay his threat, withholding any inputs on GT's strategy against him.

"I am not a broadcaster now, so I can't tell you what the plans are," Parthiv said. "But it looks good the way he is batting, hopefully we will try to dismiss him early. As all the teams have planned, we have seen the videos, hopefully we will execute our plan. But what it exactly is, we'll only be able to show on the ground".

Answering another question on the same topic, he said: "I am very happy to see the way he is playing. Last time I said that we should not be talking about his age. I think that's something which we need to put an end to it. He has been a phenomenal talent just the way he has been playing. It's great to see".