“Played pretty well”: Pat Cummins left impressed by Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s explo – Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Shines as Rajasthan Royals Eliminate SRH in IPL 2026
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A Masterclass in Aggression at New Chandigarh
The TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 Eliminator at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh PCA Stadium in New Chandigarh turned into a showcase of pure batting dominance. Rajasthan Royals (RR) asserted their authority over Pat Cummins’ Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), clinching a convincing 47-run victory to march into Qualifier 2, where they are now slated to face the Gujarat Titans.
The Opening Blitz
Pat Cummins won the toss and elected to field, hoping to utilize the conditions to restrict the Royals. However, the plan backfired spectacularly from the first ball. Rajasthan Royals, featuring a tactical change with Ravindra Jadeja replacing Shubam Dubey, unleashed a whirlwind in the form of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal, the duo dismantled the SRH bowling attack, putting up 80 runs in the powerplay alone.
Sooryavanshi was the clear aggressor, reaching a breathtaking half-century in just 16 balls. His innings of 97 runs off only 29 deliveries was not just a statistical anomaly; it was a masterclass in clean hitting that effectively took the game away from the Orange Army before they could settle.
A High-Scoring Affair
The partnership between Sooryavanshi and Jaiswal accounted for 125 runs, laying a formidable foundation. Following their departure, Dhruv Jurel kept the momentum alive with a composed half-century, while Riyan Parag contributed a brisk 26 off 11 balls. Although the Royals experienced a late-order wobble—scoring only 36 runs for the loss of 5 wickets in the final five overs—they managed to set a daunting target of 243/8.
SRH’s Struggling Chase
Chasing 244 in a high-pressure knockout game is always a mountainous task, and the Sunrisers’ pursuit faltered immediately. Abhishek Sharma departed for a duck in the opening over, setting a precarious tone. While Ishan Kishan attempted to force the pace with a quick-fire 33 off 11 balls, he failed to convert his start into a substantial total. Travis Head followed shortly after, scoring 17 runs.
By the time the game reached the halfway mark, the Sunrisers had lost half their side, leaving them reeling. A brief resistance in the form of a 56-run partnership between Nitish Kumar Reddy and Salil Arora provided a glimmer of hope, but it was not enough to bridge the massive gap. Once Arora fell for 38, the collapse became inevitable. Pat Cummins contributed only a single run, and the team was eventually bowled out for 196, with Shivang Kumar fighting until the end to score 27.
Reflections from the Captain
Despite the crushing exit, SRH skipper Pat Cummins remained gracious in defeat. Acknowledging the quality of the opposition, Cummins noted, “He (Sooryavanshi) played pretty well. It was a really good pitch. It was a pretty good wicket even in the end. It was a very well-rounded team. Young guns, we were one of the youngest teams to make it to the playoffs.”
Cummins reflected on the tactical shortcomings of the night, adding, “It’s great as a captain to see that. Few things need to get right while chasing 240. We lost too many wickets at the wrong time. We were one tiny bit away from being in the top two. Can’t ask for anything more.”
Key Takeaways
- Dominant Opening: The 80-run powerplay proved to be the decisive factor in the match.
- Sooryavanshi’s Form: The young batter’s ability to clear the ropes consistently shattered several records.
- Tactical Success: RR’s aggressive approach from the start justified their decision to push for a big total.
- SRH’s Resilience: Despite the loss, the Sunrisers remain one of the most promising young squads in the tournament.
As the Rajasthan Royals move forward to face the Gujarat Titans, they will look to carry this explosive batting form into Qualifier 2. For Sunrisers Hyderabad, it marks the end of a campaign that showed glimpses of brilliance, even if it finished just short of the title race.
