Vaibhav Sooryavanshi delivered another headline-grabbing display in IPL 2026, firing a stunning innings versus Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Guwahati that earned him the Orange Cap and a special gesture from Virat Kohli.
Key takeaways
- Sooryavanshi powered Rajasthan Royals to victory over RCB on April 10 at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati.
- The 15-year-old struck 78 off 26 balls, hitting 8 fours and 7 sixes, to chase 202 with two overs remaining.
- His knock moved him to the summit of the IPL 2026 run charts and secured the Orange Cap.
- Kohli presented him an autographed cap after the match with the message: “Dear Vaibhav, well done.”
- Rajasthan’s powerplay featured a record 97/1 in the first six overs—the franchise’s highest in IPL powerplay history.
- Dhruv Jurel supported with an unbeaten 81, and the pair added 108 runs together in 37 deliveries.
Sooryavanshi’s 78-ball demolition seals RR’s chase
In one of the most electric outings of IPL 2026, the 15-year-old prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi produced a match-winning burst of batting to steer Rajasthan Royals to a memorable win against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on April 10. Batting in Guwahati at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, the teenager swung the momentum decisively, smashing 78 runs from just 26 balls. His innings featured 8 boundaries and 7 maximums, and it propelled RR to complete their chase of 202 with two overs to spare.
That knock did more than decide the game—it also lifted Sooryavanshi to the top of the season’s run-scoring list, handing him the Orange Cap for IPL 2026. The way he approached the chase combined raw power with an advanced level of calm, as he went after RCB’s bowling from the start and turned the required chase into a largely one-sided affair.
Sooryavanshi’s acceleration was another major talking point. He reached his fifty in 15 balls, matching the quickest fifty of the season—an accomplishment he had already set earlier against CSK. The repetition of such explosive starts reinforced that his early momentum wasn’t a one-off, but a consistent strength.
Kohli’s gesture and the powerplay that changed everything
The evening also became special beyond the scoreboard after Virat Kohli stepped in to recognize the youngster’s impact. After the match, Kohli gifted Sooryavanshi an autographed cap carrying a heartfelt note. The message read: “Dear Vaibhav, well done,” written by Kohli on the Rajasthan cap.
RR’s chase gained its sharpest edge in the powerplay. Sooryavanshi’s intent during the first six overs unsettled RCB and set the tempo for the entire run chase. Rajasthan Royals raced to 97/1 in that opening phase—marking the highest powerplay score in the franchise’s IPL history. During that stretch, the teenage batter dismantled bowlers including Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood, forcing RCB to play catch-up almost immediately.
Even with Sooryavanshi carving out the early dominance, the chase was kept under tight control through support from Dhruv Jurel. Jurel delivered an unbeaten 81, complementing the aggression with composure. Together, Sooryavanshi and Jurel forged a partnership of 108 runs off just 37 balls, a stand that effectively removed any chances of a late twist and ensured RR’s finish without nerves.
With the win, Rajasthan Royals sit at the top of the table, having collected four victories from their first four matches.
