Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has continued his record-chasing run in IPL 2026, delivering another explosive half-century for Rajasthan Royals against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. The southpaw looked in complete control from the first ball, racing to a rapid fifty while keeping the scoring tempo relentless.
Quick facts
- Match: Rajasthan Royals vs Sunrisers Hyderabad (IPL 2026)
- Venue: Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur
- Vaibhav Sooryavanshi scored a fifty off 15 balls
- He hit four sixes off Praful Hinge in the opening over
- This was the third time Sooryavanshi made an IPL fifty in 15 balls or fewer
- He became the first batter in IPL tournament history to achieve this feat
- Sunrisers Hyderabad captain Pat Cummins returned after a back injury and won the toss to bowl
- Cummins replaced Dilshan Madushanka; Praful Hinge came in for Harsh Dubey
- Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag said they’re comfortable defending, noting their familiarity with the Jaipur wicket
Sooryavanshi wasted little time setting the tone, smashing Praful Hinge for four maximums in the first over to signal his intent immediately. From there, he kept piling on runs and reached his half-century in just 15 deliveries, turning the innings into a statement of pace and power.
The landmark didn’t end with the quick-fire fifty. It marked the third occasion in Sooryavanshi’s IPL career where he struck a fifty in 15 balls or less, and it also made him the first batter in the tournament’s history to register such a sequence.
Cummins returns after injury; SRH opts to bowl
Sunrisers Hyderabad’s regular captain Pat Cummins made his return to the XI after recovering from an injury. He missed almost the opening part of the season due to a lumbar bone stress problem in his back, but was fit enough to take charge at the toss.
Cummins won the toss and chose to field first against Rajasthan Royals. In terms of team changes, he came in for Dilshan Madushanka, while Praful Hinge was added to the playing group, replacing Harsh Dubey.
At the toss, Cummins explained the thinking behind the decision. He said they planned to bowl first, adding that although the surface looked good, they would need to assess what target could be chased. He also noted he felt “really fresh” after preparation, mentioning he had managed a couple of practice overs at the venue and hadn’t played for a while. Cummins concluded by pointing out the same two replacements: he had replaced Madushanka, and Hinge had come in for Harsh Dubey.
Parag on defending, familiarity with the wicket
Rajasthan Royals skipper Riyan Parag responded to the toss decision with a confidence that leaned toward defending. He said SRH’s approach aligned with what Rajasthan also expected, but stressed that over the last couple of seasons their chase results hadn’t been as strong—hence his comfort with setting a total rather than pursuing one.
Parag also highlighted how much the team knows the Jaipur track, explaining that much of their cricket has been played there and that their camp has been in place since the season started. He felt the wicket was in good shape and suggested that any dew later on might not significantly change the conditions. He further expressed hope that the openers can maintain their form, allowing the rest of the batting to “pick up our slack.”
When asked about the combination, Parag clarified that it was not the three-two structure they were targeting. “We’re going for one instead of three-two,” he said, outlining the tactical balance for the match.
