NEW DELHI: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s IPL 2026 Eliminator innings ended with a cruel miss—he was out just three runs short of a century—but it still delivered the kind of statement performance that defines a season. The 15-year-old Rajasthan Royals batter struck 97 off 29 balls versus Sunrisers Hyderabad, smashing 12 sixes while repeatedly taking the attack to the bowler from the very first over.
Quick facts
- Vaibhav Sooryavanshi scored 97 (29 balls) in the IPL 2026 Eliminator against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
- His innings included 12 sixes.
- He was dismissed by SRH pacer Praful Hinge.
- Rajasthan Royals posted 243/8 in 20 overs, with Dhruv Jurel contributing 50 off 21 balls.
- Praful Hinge finished with bowling figures of 3/54.
After Hinge got the wicket, he celebrated with an aggressive burst of emotion. That reaction became a flashpoint online, with multiple fans questioning the intensity of the moment against a teenager who had just produced an extraordinary knock.
Moments later, the tone shifted. SRH batter Abhishek Sharma walked over to Sooryavanshi and offered a reassuring pat on the back, a gesture that resonated with supporters who highlighted the sportsmanship shown by the Indian opener.
Before his dismissal, Sooryavanshi had effectively flipped the match script. Batting at the top of the order with fearless intent, he and Yashasvi Jaiswal stitched together a 125-run partnership for the opening wicket in quick fashion, giving Rajasthan Royals a strong grip on the Eliminator.
The teenager’s innings was close to a historic milestone, narrowly missing the distinction of becoming the fastest centurion in IPL history. Even without the hundred, he still rewrote the scoreboard narrative, with his explosive hitting leaving seasoned bowlers looking for answers.
Rajasthan’s momentum didn’t stop after the dismissal. Dhruv Jurel finished the turnaround with a rapid 50 off just 21 balls, helping the franchise reach a huge total of 243/8 in their 20 overs.
For Sunrisers Hyderabad, Praful Hinge was the leading wicket-taker, ending with 3/54 despite a tough outing as Sooryavanshi dominated large parts of the contest. Still, Rajasthan Royals controlled the knockout matchup from start to finish and took a significant step closer to the IPL 2026 final with a commanding performance.
