Rajasthan Royals batter Yashasvi Jaiswal admitted he was buoyed by the calm, fearless approach of his 15-year-old opening partner Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as the teenager struck early against Jasprit Bumrah in a rain-hit IPL clash in Guwahati. The Royals rode that momentum to a 27-run win over Mumbai Indians, closing in on the top spot with a fourth straight surge in their campaign.
Key takeaways
- Sooryavanshi launched a first-ball six off Jasprit Bumrah, immediately turning the contest in Rajasthan’s favour.
- Jaiswal struck 77 not out from 32 balls as Rajasthan reached 150/3 in the shortened 11-over format.
- Mumbai Indians finished on 123/9, suffering a second consecutive defeat.
- Rajasthan strengthened their position at the summit with three wins from three matches.
- Deepak Chahar and Trent Boult conceded 22 runs each in their overs, easing the chase for Mumbai’s bowlers’ rivals.
Sooryavanshi’s first-ball statement vs Bumrah
Before a single ball was bowled, the major talking point in Guwahati was the rare meeting between Bumrah and the young Rajasthan opener, and Sooryavanshi delivered on the hype. He picked up a 131 kph delivery from Bumrah and deposited it over the ropes on the middle-and-leg line for a first-ball six, over mid-on.
Jaiswal, who watched that early strike unfold from the other end, said the breakthrough helped him settle quickly. He explained that Sooryavanshi simply needed to keep trusting his shots and the pressure would naturally ease as the innings developed.
Jaiswal anchors as RR post 150/3 in 11 overs
With the match reduced to 11 overs per side due to weather disruptions, Rajasthan made the most of the time available. Jaiswal played the stabilising role, remaining unbeaten on 77 off 32 balls. His innings helped lift RR to 150/3, a total that proved difficult for Mumbai to chase under the match conditions.
In the chase, Mumbai Indians managed 123/9. Despite moments of resistance, they were unable to chase down the target and slid to a second loss in succession. For Rajasthan, the outcome meant their start continued to look ominously strong, with the franchise moving to the top of the table after recording three wins from three matches.
Why Sooryavanshi has become a fast-rising name
Sooryavanshi’s impact has been building since he entered the spotlight. Rajasthan had acquired him for Rs 1.1 crore during the 2025 IPL mega auction. His growing reputation had been underlined the previous season when he produced a historic T20 showing—becoming the youngest centurion in the format—and then followed it up with a blistering 35-ball hundred against Gujarat Titans, noted as the second-fastest in IPL history.
On Tuesday, that same aggressive intent was evident from the opening overs, even though Bumrah was operating with the new ball. Sooryavanshi struck two sixes off the pacer in his initial over and then accelerated further with a 14-ball 39, setting the tone for Rajasthan right from the start.
Partnership pressure shift: from Bumrah to the rest of MI’s attack
Once the early phase tilted in Rajasthan’s direction, Jaiswal said it became easier to play his role as confidence grew at the crease. That confidence also allowed the Royals to take on other Mumbai bowlers, particularly Deepak Chahar and Trent Boult, who both leaked 22 runs in their respective overs.
Jaiswal summed up the effect of the early breakthrough by highlighting that if the team’s batters could score against a bowler of Bumrah’s calibre, it also suggested other matchups could be attacked. He finished the innings with 10 fours and four sixes and described the partnership as something the pair enjoyed because it came from clear, positive communication.
The duo’s opening stand produced 80 runs off just 30 balls, creating a platform that made the later overs look far more manageable for Rajasthan.
Jaiswal also added that batting with Sooryavanshi feels natural because both prefer to play attacking cricket. He said they keep sharing positive messages and that he aims to adjust his approach to the situation, with the shared goal of giving the team the best possible start.
Jaiswal’s form and the challenge of playing through rain
With two fifties in three matches, Jaiswal has moved into the lead on the run charts, collecting 170 runs so far. He credited his preparation in the nets, saying he has been working on different options and making small changes depending on how the wicket behaves.
The left-hander stressed the importance of staying present, adding that he tries to keep improving match by match while enjoying the process.
He also addressed the uncertainty caused by rain, stating that neither side could fully predict how the game would unfold. For Mumbai, the Royals needed to adapt quickly, he said, and the challenge was heightened because Mumbai Indians are a strong opposition—meaning execution had to be precise even when the overs were reduced.
