Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s humble gesture toward Sunil Gavaskar stole the spotlight during the IPL 2026 Eliminator between Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad on Wednesday, adding a feel-good moment to a high-stakes knockout contest. While warming up, the 15-year-old prospect walked over to the broadcast area where Gavaskar and former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar were present, and he showed respect by touching their feet. In the same spirit, he attempted a similar gesture toward TV presenter Jatin Sapru—only for Sapru to hop away quickly, turning the scene into instant comedy. The clip of the interaction spread rapidly on social media and became one of the early talking points ahead of the match.
Key takeaways
- During the warm-up for the IPL 2026 Eliminator, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi showed respect to Sunil Gavaskar and Sanjay Bangar by touching their feet.
- When he tried to do the same with Jatin Sapru, the presenter moved away, sparking a light, viral moment.
- Sooryavanshi delivered a match-winning knock of 97 off 29 balls to steer Rajasthan Royals past Sunrisers Hyderabad.
- After the win, he said the key to success is carrying positive intent into the next game with an eye on reaching the finals.
- He shared his approach for Qualifier 2 against Gujarat Titans, stressing preparation without overthinking.
- Although he came close to Chris Gayle’s fastest IPL century milestone, he admitted he only learned about it after getting out.
Warm-up respect before the Eliminator
In the middle of the pre-match routine, Sooryavanshi made his way to the broadcasting zone, where Gavaskar and Sanjay Bangar were stationed. The teenager offered his tribute by touching both veterans’ feet, reflecting the kind of reverence that often accompanies young players entering big stages. He even tried to extend the gesture to Jatin Sapru, but Sapru reacted by quickly shifting away, resulting in a humorous moment that fans quickly picked up online.
97 off 29 keeps Rajasthan’s season alive
Once the match began, Sooryavanshi backed up the hype with a breathtaking innings. He struck a sensational 29-ball 97 to help Rajasthan Royals beat Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Eliminator, keeping their hopes of lifting the IPL 2026 trophy firmly in play. Speaking after the result, the youngster framed the win as fuel for what comes next, saying that whenever they succeed they simply carry that same positive mindset forward—then aim to repeat it in the next fixture to push their way into the final.
He also discussed how he mentally prepares as the tournament moves toward Qualifier 2, where Rajasthan will face Gujarat Titans. Sooryavanshi said he does think about the challenge to a certain extent, but not to the point of getting overwhelmed. His focus, he explained, is to play the brand of cricket he believes in rather than overanalyse every detail in advance.
Mindset, planning and pressure points
Further elaborating on his preparation, he described how he weighs up the opposition’s bowlers and considers how to approach the wicket at hand. He also looks at the size of the boundaries and uses those factors to stay positive with his intent. The underlying idea, he said, is that when he maintains that mindset and commits to his own game plan, the bowlers end up under pressure—helping him keep control of the contest.
Close to Gayle, but focused on the trophy
While Sooryavanshi narrowly missed breaking Chris Gayle’s record for the fastest IPL century, he revealed he was not even aware of the major milestone while batting. “I found out only after I got out,” he said. According to him, his only objective at the time was to contribute as much as possible, with the understanding that centuries will come again. The bigger priority, he added, is winning the trophy. He also said he doesn’t dwell on what the opposition is trying to do, because that is part of their job; instead, he sticks to his own plan and tries to play straightforward, “normal cricket.”
