Teen batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has been stealing the spotlight for Rajasthan Royals in this IPL season, delivering fireworks almost every time he walks out. After a promising debut last year, the 15-year-old has kept raising the bar with a string of impactful innings. His most recent big statement came in a high-scoring outing against Sunrisers Hyderabad, where he roared to a century off 57 balls and propelled RR to 228/6.
Yet, even a captain’s knock from the youngster couldn’t tilt the result in Rajasthan’s favour. Rajasthan Royals ultimately fell short, losing by five wickets as Sunrisers Hyderabad chased the target successfully with nine balls remaining. The chase left little room for comfort at the other end, turning Sooryavanshi’s brilliance into a bittersweet highlight of the night.
Quick facts
- Vaibhav Sooryavanshi scored a century off 57 balls versus Sunrisers Hyderabad
- Rajasthan Royals finished on 228/6
- Sunrisers Hyderabad won by five wickets with nine balls to spare
- RR are set to face Punjab Kings on Tuesday
- Sooryavanshi was seen pranking young fans at an airport, charging Rs 100 for photos
- Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag needs runs ahead of the next match
With Rajasthan preparing for their next assignment against Punjab Kings on Tuesday, the on-field attention has blended with a lighter moment off it. Sooryavanshi was recently spotted at an airport, where he pulled off a playful prank with a group of young fans. The Royals shared the incident through a clip on their X (formerly Twitter) account, giving fans a glimpse of his mischievous streak.
In the video, the kids are shown walking up to Sooryavanshi, expecting the usual photo moment. Instead, the Bihar-born batter joked that he charges Rs 100 for pictures, making it sound completely serious. “Bhai, main photo lene ka paisa leta hoon. Sahi bol raha hoon bhai,” he said, leaving the children visibly shocked.
As the youngsters started to move away, Sooryavanshi called them back and upped the ante with another line: “Main Rs 100 leta hoon, poore doge toh bolo.” One of the boys quickly offered Rs 200, and that’s when the youngster revealed it was all part of a prank—promptly easing the kids and restoring their excitement.
Parag’s pressure point ahead of Punjab Kings
Turning back to cricket, Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag faces a fresh challenge as he looks to lead from the front. The batter has been short of runs, and with the franchise taking on a strong Punjab Kings side on Tuesday, the captain’s form will be under the microscope.
Punjab Kings, meanwhile, come into the fixture with a far more confident rhythm than they showed earlier. Under the Shreyas Iyer–Ricky Ponting leadership model that started last season, the team has engineered a standout turnaround, evolving into one of the competition’s most steady and assured outfits—traits the franchise had been chasing for a long time.
Rajasthan Royals, however, appear to have lost momentum during the middle stage of the tournament. They began with a strong run, winning their first four matches, but consistency has slipped since then. While Sooryavanshi’s individual brilliance continues to create headlines, the team has struggled to sustain that level of output across the innings.
For RR, Tuesday’s match against Punjab Kings is a chance to arrest the wobble and regain control—especially as the season’s balance hinges on contributions from both emerging stars and experienced leaders.
