Former India captain Anil Kumble has tipped Rajasthan Royals opener Vaibhav Suryavanshi to be on the verge of making IPL history in 2026, with the teenager potentially able to eclipse Chris Gayle’s mark for the most sixes in a single league season. Suryavanshi’s blistering 93 off 38 balls kept RR’s knockout hopes very much alive, as the left-hander powered a seven-wicket triumph over Lucknow Super Giants while chasing 221. The knock included 10 massive sixes, struck with frightening ease, as Rajasthan finished the job at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium and also capped off their home fixtures with a statement win. In doing so, he became the first Indian batter to reach 50 sixes in one IPL season.
Key takeaways
- Anil Kumble believes Vaibhav Suryavanshi can break Chris Gayle’s season record for the most sixes in IPL history.
- Suryavanshi struck 93 off 38 balls, including 10 sixes, to help Rajasthan chase 221 against Lucknow Super Giants.
- Rajasthan secured a seven-wicket win, keeping their IPL 2026 playoff chances alive.
- Suryavanshi has already hit 53 sixes in the current IPL season, putting him within reach of Gayle’s benchmark of 59.
- Wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel chipped in with an unbeaten 53 off 38, a key stabilising knock in the chase.
Kumble’s six-hitting praise and the record trail
Kumble highlighted how Suryavanshi clears the boundary with uncommon comfort, pointing out that the batter can repeatedly send big hits over cover. The former captain also singled out the way the teenager repeatedly found the same scoring areas against Digvesh Rathi, saying he is grateful people still have words to describe such talent. Kumble added that even his own vocabulary feels like it is running out when he tries to capture what the youngster is doing, describing him as “very special” and stressing that the standout feature is his mindset.
The India great then focused on the maturity Suryavanshi shows even at this stage of his career. He noted that the teenager sounds seasoned whenever he speaks, which matters greatly given the attention and praise that naturally follow. Kumble also referenced what Suryavanshi said after the match: that this is only the beginning of his journey, and that if the road is long enough, he will create a few records along the way.
Kumble further underlined the scale of the current milestone, noting that Suryavanshi has already reached 53 sixes in the season. With Gayle’s record set at 59, Kumble pointed out that Rajasthan still have one league game remaining before the playoffs. He suggested that if RR win that match, it could provide additional opportunities for the batter to continue stacking sixes and potentially write a new chapter in IPL record books.
Dhruv Jurel’s stability and the top-order platform
Alongside Suryavanshi’s fireworks, Kumble reserved praise for wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel, who continued his strong form with an unbeaten 53 off 38 balls. Kumble described Jurel as bringing the kind of steadiness Rajasthan’s batting order needs. He explained that with Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Suryavanshi attacking from ball one at the top, the team can play with more freedom knowing Jurel is positioned to keep the innings together if early wickets tumble.
Kumble also addressed how Jurel’s role has shifted. While his strike rate may be lower than it was in earlier seasons when he batted as a finisher, Kumble said his consistency has improved because he is now operating higher up the order. He added that Jurel’s fifty against LSG was his fifth half-century of the season, calling it a dependable return from the number three batter, even acknowledging that there have been a few fluctuations along the way.
Jaiswal’s early aggression sets up the chase
Before Suryavanshi and Jurel took over, Yashasvi Jaiswal—acting as stand-in captain—set the tone by launching an attacking opening stand of 75 runs. The innings included a hat-trick of boundaries against Akash Singh in the space of 23 runs, and Jaiswal then upped the tempo further by smashing Mohsin Khan for a six and three fours. Kumble credited Jaiswal’s early counterattack for giving RR the ideal platform, allowing Suryavanshi and Jurel to unleash their brand of hitting against the LSG bowling attack.
How the chase unfolded: powerplay to the big finish
Kumble then explained why the chase demanded urgency early on. He said that when chasing 220, winning the powerplay is especially important, and Rajasthan needed a flying start. In his view, Suryavanshi initially started a touch cautiously, but it was Jaiswal who stepped in with quick runs—scoring 43 rapidly and taking on the bowlers directly. Kumble said that aggressive burst gave RR the momentum they needed early in the chase.
Once Suryavanshi settled, Kumble noted that the game changed significantly. He said the opener began to locate gaps more consistently and clear the boundary with far greater ease, and that Jaiswal’s intent at the other end effectively bought time for Suryavanshi to find his rhythm without being forced to chase the required rate too tightly. Kumble added that after Suryavanshi got set, he tore through the bowling attack and turned the steep target into a chase that looked far more manageable than it truly was.
In concluding, Kumble pointed to the value of having two batters at the top who understand each other’s games well. He said one batter takes the early risks while the other builds the innings, and together they made the chase easier for Rajasthan than the numbers suggested.
