Rajasthan Royals teenager Vaibhav Sooryavanshi found himself in the spotlight during the IPL 2026 meeting with Gujarat Titans at Jaipur, drawing attention for reasons both personal and on-field. In the build-up to the contest, the 15-year-old shared a touching Mother’s Day tribute on Instagram, which spread rapidly online. “This one’s for you, maa,” he wrote, and the message sparked widespread praise from fans across social media.
The occasion also carried a strong social theme for the Royals. Rajasthan donned a distinctive all-pink kit as part of the franchise’s “Pink Promise” programme, a campaign aimed at backing women-led social transformation and supporting solar electrification initiatives across rural Rajasthan.
With the emotional mood in the air, Sooryavanshi still delivered a performance that underlined why he has become one of IPL 2026’s most exciting names. The left-handed batter made history by becoming the quickest and youngest player in men’s T20 cricket to reach the milestone of 100 sixes. He achieved the feat in just 29 innings and from 514 balls.
From the first ball he faced against Gujarat Titans, Sooryavanshi looked in no mood to hold back. He launched Mohammed Siraj for a powerful six that sailed over long-on. The innings continued at a brisk pace, and he finished with 36 runs in 16 deliveries, striking three fours and three sixes before Siraj eventually dismissed him after an entertaining battle.
Sooryavanshi has emerged as Rajasthan’s standout batter this season, accumulating 440 runs in 11 innings. His average stands at 40, while his strike rate is an eye-catching 236.55. His run tally already includes one century along with two fifties, reinforcing his growing impact in the middle order.
Rajasthan also kept the “Pink Promise” message front and centre during the match itself. The initiative, spearheaded by the Royal Rajasthan Foundation, is built around empowering women and backing sustainable development in rural areas. The franchise also revealed that each six struck during the game would contribute towards supplying solar power to six homes in Rajasthan.
Rajasthan further stated that the campaign has already powered up more than 780 homes across 2024 and 2025. This year’s pink jersey carried the slogan “Aurat Hai Toh Bharat Hai,” and it was created by 19-year-old Samiksha Rameshwar Mundada from Nashik, who earned the opportunity after winning the Royals’ nationwide design contest.
