Rajasthan Royals teenager Vaibhav Sooryavanshi kept his astonishing IPL 2026 run going in Guwahati on Friday, smashing a rapid half-century off just 15 balls against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The left-handed opener struck seven boundaries and cleared the ropes four times as he punished bowlers including Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, turning the opening period into a showcase of clean hitting.
Key takeaways
- Vaibhav Sooryavanshi reached a fifty in 15 deliveries during RR’s IPL 2026 match in Guwahati versus RCB.
- His knock featured 7 fours and 4 sixes, with major impact against Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
- Sooryavanshi has now made a 15-ball half-century twice in IPL 2026 after doing the same earlier against Chennai Super Kings.
- The innings matched Jos Buttler’s RR record for a half-century within the first six overs of an IPL innings.
- Royal Challengers Bengaluru posted 201/8 in a rain-affected game, driven by a 40-ball 63 from captain Rajat Patidar.
Sooryavanshi’s 15-ball brilliance
Sooryavanshi began the charge immediately, striking two fours off Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the opening over. Yashasvi Jaiswal was dismissed in the second over, but the teenager did not slow down—instead he maintained the pressure with three fours and a six across four straight deliveries against Hazlewood.
This was the second time the 15-year-old has registered a fifty in 15 balls during IPL 2026. He had previously achieved the same milestone earlier in the tournament against Chennai Super Kings at the Barsapara Stadium.
Fastest Indian fifties in IPL (by balls)
- 13 balls: Yashasvi Jaiswal (RR) vs KKR, Kolkata, 2023
- 14 balls: KL Rahul (PBKS) vs DC, Mohali, 2018
- 15 balls: Yusuf Pathan (KKR) vs SRH, Kolkata, 2014
- 15 balls: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (RR) vs CSK, Guwahati, 2026
- 15 balls: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (RR) vs RCB, Guwahati, 2026
Buttler’s RR powerplay milestone, and RCB’s 201/8
Along with the quick-fire fifty, Sooryavanshi also matched Jos Buttler’s benchmark for reaching a half-century within the first six overs for Rajasthan Royals in IPL cricket. Yashasvi Jaiswal has managed this feat twice for the franchise, while Michael Lumb, Ben Stokes, and Nitish Rana have each done it once during their respective stints with RR.
In the same rain-delayed fixture, Royal Challengers Bengaluru regrouped to post 201 for 8 against Rajasthan Royals. The toss was delayed by weather, and once play began, the visitors chose to field. Jofra Archer struck twice, finishing with figures of 2/33, while Ravi Bishnoi also took two wickets for 2/32. Brijesh Sharma completed the bowling impact with 2/37, creating trouble for batters throughout the innings.
Despite the early pressure, captain Rajat Patidar led from the front with a fighting 40-ball 63, steering RCB to a competitive total. Contributions also came from Virat Kohli (32), Romario Shepherd (22), and Venkatesh Iyer (29), as Bengaluru held their nerve to reach the 200-run mark.
