Vaibhav Sooryavanshi continues to leave a mark on the IPL stage, and Friday’s performance only added to the buzz. After bursting onto the scene in IPL 2025, the Rajasthan Royals batter has repeatedly looked like a player destined for bigger nights. In IPL 2026, he struck another rapid half-century—this time off just 15 deliveries—for the second time in the tournament, becoming only the second man after Jake Fraser-McGurk to produce multiple fifties in the IPL with a strike-rate that starts with the number “15”.
That impressive company puts Sooryavanshi alongside the very best in this ultra-quick category. The list of most 50s in 15 balls or fewer in the IPL reads: Jake Fraser-McGurk (Delhi Capitals) with 2, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (Rajasthan Royals) with 2, followed by Yashasvi Jaiswal (Rajasthan Royals), KL Rahul (Punjab Kings), Pat Cummins (Kolkata Knight Riders), Romario Shepherd (Royal Challengers Bengaluru), Yusuf Pathan (Kolkata Knight Riders), Sunil Narine (Kolkata Knight Riders), and Nicholas Pooran (Lucknow Super Giants) each with 1.
The fireworks didn’t stop at the milestone. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Dhruv Jurel powered Rajasthan Royals to a six-wicket victory over Royal Challengers Bengaluru in their IPL match on Friday. Bengaluru, sent in first, leaned on a determined innings from their skipper Rajat Patidar, who struck a fighting 63 to help their side reach 201 for 8 in their 20 overs.
Patidar’s innings was backed by valuable support from Virat Kohli, who made 32, along with Romario Shepherd (22) and Venkatesh Iyer (29). The chase then swung firmly toward Rajasthan when Sooryavanshi struck up his own statement with 78 off 26 balls. He joined Jurel—who remained unbeaten on 81 off 43—to forge a 108-run second-wicket stand that came off only 37 deliveries, giving the chase its early momentum.
Krunal Pandya tried to bring Bengaluru back into it by taking two wickets in quick succession, but the Royals didn’t lose their rhythm. Jurel, with Ravindra Jadeja for company—Jadeja contributing 24—kept the pressure on, stitching together another 68-run partnership. With that platform secured, Rajasthan finished the job with two overs still remaining.
For Rajasthan, the bowling attack delivered crucial breakthroughs as well. Jofra Archer returned figures of 2/33, Ravi Bishnoi took 2/32, and Brijesh Sharma made it a trio of two-wicket hauls with 2/37, ensuring Bengaluru’s scoreline couldn’t translate into a win.
Brief scores:
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 201 for 8 in 20 overs (Rajat Patidar 63; Jofra Archer 2/33, Ravi Bishnoi 2/32, Brijesh Sharma 2/37).
Rajasthan Royals: 202 for 4 in 18 overs (Vaibhav Sooryavanshi 78, Dhruv Jurel 80 not out; Krunal Pandya 2/30, Josh Hazlewood 2/44).
