Rajasthan Royals moved into Qualifier 2 with a commanding win over Sunrisers Hyderabad, and teenage batting star Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was at the centre of it all. The 15-year-old hammered 12 sixes as he struck 97 off 29 balls, helping his side post 243 for 8 in New Chandigarh before Jofra Archer’s early breakthroughs snapped the contest in Hyderabad’s Eliminator chase.
Key takeaways
- Sooryavanshi struck 97 from 29 deliveries, including 12 maximums, to power Rajasthan to a 47-run win.
- Rajasthan’s 243/8 in New Chandigarh set up Hyderabad’s collapse, with the visitors dismissed for 196 in the Eliminator.
- Archer delivered a fast start, taking three wickets in three overs to destabilise Sunrisers right after the innings began.
- Sooryavanshi’s season tally now stands at 680 runs, taking him to the Orange Cap lead.
- He also surpassed Chris Gayle’s previous IPL record of 59 sixes in a single edition, cruising past it in the same match.
- Qualifier 2 will see Rajasthan take on Gujarat Titans, with the winner advancing to the final against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Sunday in Ahmedabad.
Sooryavanshi’s 97 and Rajasthan’s big total
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s innings proved the difference between the teams as Rajasthan Royals delivered a ruthless batting display against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Chasing a strong platform, Hyderabad’s bowlers were repeatedly punished, and the teenager’s assault stretched to 12 sixes as Rajasthan compiled 243 for 8 in New Chandigarh.
The left-handed opener’s impact went beyond one match. He had already grabbed the Orange Cap for the most runs this season, sitting on 680 at the time of the game, and his 97 off 29 balls smashed the pressure out of Hyderabad’s bowling attack.
Sooryavanshi also made history during his knock. He moved beyond Chris Gayle’s long-standing benchmark of 59 sixes in a single IPL edition, adding another brilliant chapter to his rapidly growing reputation. With 65 sixes already to his name, the Gujarat Titans attack now has plenty to think about ahead of Friday’s Qualifier 2 clash.
From rapid start to record-breaking domination
Rajasthan’s innings began with a statement shot as Sooryavanshi launched a straight six off Pat Cummins in the opening over. He didn’t stop there: in the next over, he struck three more sixes and added a four, turning the chase of bowling plans into a one-sided contest.
He then continued his momentum in the following over, again clearing the ropes three times—this time off Sakib Hussain—reaching his half-century in only 16 balls. At that stage, it looked as if he might threaten the IPL’s fastest hundred record, which is held by Gayle after scoring it in 30 deliveries. The reference point for that possibility came when Sooryavanshi punished Praful Hinge with three sixes and two fours, accelerating the innings even further.
However, the innings didn’t end with another record. Hinge had the final say by catching Sooryavanshi at third man, much to the disappointment of a full house. With Yashasvi Jaiswal providing a quiet but admiring presence at the other end, Sooryavanshi had already taken control of a 125-run opening stand off just 49 deliveries.
Dhruv Jurel offered additional support, raising a 20-ball fifty to keep the pressure on. Yet Hyderabad pushed back in the final five overs, managing 36 runs in that period. Even with the late resistance, Rajasthan had built a total that looked ominous for the Eliminator chase.
Archer’s burst breaks Hyderabad’s chase
Sunrisers Hyderabad’s hopes of chasing the target were dealt a severe blow early. Jofra Archer struck during the powerplay, taking three wickets in three overs, and the innings began unravelling from there.
Archer struck again in the form of a key dismissal, removing Abhishek Sharma with a rapid bouncer on the second ball. Although Ishan Kishan threatened briefly, Archer kept the momentum going and ensured the chase stayed under constant strain, cleaning up Travis Head to leave Hyderabad’s pursuit in tatters.
Further pressure arrived when Yash Raj Punja trapped Heinrich Klaasen leg before wicket after an ill-advised reverse sweep. Nitish Kumar Reddy and Salil Arora tried to delay the inevitable, but Sooryavanshi’s earlier dominance and Archer’s breakthroughs proved too much to overcome.
In the end, Hyderabad were bowled out for 196, handing Rajasthan a 47-run victory and booking a Qualifier 2 meeting with Gujarat Titans. The winner of that match will face Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the final on Sunday in Ahmedabad.
