Rajasthan Royals’ teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is quickly becoming a name that stretches far beyond the cricket world. Ahead of the Eliminator against Sunrisers Hyderabad, the young prodigy is preparing to push through the IPL playoffs with his team and chase the trophy—while WWE star Drew McIntyre has already shown he’s firmly in his corner. McIntyre posted a gym video on Instagram wearing Sooryavanshi’s jersey, where he was seen working on his back exercises. The clip sparked plenty of reactions, including one from Riyan Parag, the Rajasthan Royals captain. “Chosen One,” McIntyre wrote in the caption, and Parag responded with a reference to his own wrestling-inspired catchphrase and impact moments, adding: “Omgggggg don’t remember how many Future Shock DDTs I’ve hit on 2K.” The Royals’ official social media account also joined in, replying “Certainly,” and backing the idea that Sooryavanshi is the “chosen one.”
Sooryavanshi focused on Eliminator
The pressure for Wednesday’s clash cannot be overstated, with Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals meeting for a spot in Qualifier 2 and an exit waiting for whoever loses. Both sides understand that there is no margin for error in this knockout stage, where one off day can end the campaign immediately. For Vaibhav Sooryavanshi—Rajasthan’s leading run-getter this season and a strong candidate for the Orange Cap—the match offers a chance to recover from a disappointing final league outing against the Mumbai Indians. His focus will be on delivering when it matters most and helping the Royals secure their place in Qualifier 2.
Sunrisers Hyderabad, meanwhile, arrive with momentum and belief after strong league performances. They have already beaten Rajasthan Royals twice in the league stage this season, and will be determined to turn that record into a third consecutive win. Led by Pat Cummins, the side finished third in the points table with 18 points from 14 matches. Their points total was level with Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans—the top two teams—but SRH slipped into the Eliminator due to a weaker net run rate. Even so, they will be encouraged by their recent track record against the Royals, though they now face a dangerous challenge: a Sooryavanshi who is capable of changing the game with bat in hand.
