Teen prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi smashed an impressive 12 sixes to guide Rajasthan Royals to an IPL playoff clash against Gujarat Titans following a convincing 47-run victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad on Wednesday. The 15-year-old sensation, leading the run-scoring charts with 680 runs this season, decimated Hyderabad’s renowned bowling attack with a remarkable 29-ball 97, propelling Rajasthan to a formidable total of 243-8 in Chandigarh.
Jofra Archer then delivered a fiery spell, claiming three wickets in three overs as Hyderabad crumbled to 196 all out in the eliminator. The dynamic Sooryavanshi showcased another breathtaking display of power-hitting as he surpassed Chris Gayle’s 12-year-old record for the most sixes (59) in a single IPL edition, now totaling 65 sixes. His left-handed onslaught has put Gujarat’s bowlers on notice ahead of their upcoming clash on Friday. The victor of the second qualifier will face defending champions Royal Challengers Bangalore in the final showdown in Ahmedabad on Sunday.
Reflecting on his outstanding performance, Sooryavanshi stated, “I try to keep things simple, play with intent, and dominate the bowlers. My focus is on contributing to the team and winning the trophy.” Sooryavanshi started aggressively by hitting a straight six off Pat Cummins in the opening over and continued to punish the bowlers, reaching his half-century in just 16 balls.
Despite his dismissal by Hinge after a spectacular innings, Sooryavanshi’s partnership with Yashasvi Jaiswal laid the foundation for Rajasthan’s commanding total. Dhruv Jurel’s quick fifty further boosted Rajasthan’s momentum, but Hyderabad managed to stage a late fightback, limiting the scoring in the final overs. Archer’s lethal bowling display dashed Hyderabad’s hopes, dismantling key batsmen and sealing the victory for Rajasthan.
The leg-spinner Yash Raj Punja added to Hyderabad’s woes by dismissing Klaasen, signaling the end for the opposition despite some resistance from Reddy and Arora. Sooryavanshi’s heroics, combined with a strong team effort, ensured Rajasthan’s triumph in a thrilling encounter.