“Played pretty well”: Pat Cummins left impressed by Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s explo – Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Shines as Rajasthan Royals Eliminate SRH in IPL 2026

A Masterclass in Aggression

The TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season reached a boiling point during the Eliminator match at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh PCA Stadium in New Chandigarh. In a contest that was billed as a battle of nerves, it ultimately proved to be a one-sided affair as the Rajasthan Royals (RR) dismantled the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by 47 runs, effectively ending the Orange Army’s campaign while securing a spot in Qualifier 2 against the Gujarat Titans.

The tone for the evening was set early by the Royals, who, after being inserted into bat by SRH captain Pat Cummins, unleashed a batting onslaught led by the young sensation, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s Record-Breaking Heroics

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi did not just play; he dominated. Opening alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal, the pair treated the SRH bowling lineup with sheer disdain, accumulating 80 runs in the powerplay alone. Sooryavanshi was the clear aggressor, reaching his half-century in just 16 deliveries. His final tally of 97 runs off a mere 29 balls will be remembered as one of the most explosive individual knocks in the tournament’s history.

The partnership between Sooryavanshi and Jaiswal accounted for 125 runs, laying a platform that seemed destined for a total well beyond 250. While the duo departed and the middle order saw contributions from Dhruv Jurel, who scored a composed half-century, and Riyan Parag, who chipped in with a quick-fire 26 off 11 balls, the Royals saw a slight dip in momentum during the death overs. Losing five wickets for 36 runs in the final five overs, they concluded their innings at 243/8.

SRH’s Chaotic Chase

Chasing a daunting target of 244 in a high-pressure knockout game required a composed start, but the Sunrisers Hyderabad faltered immediately. Abhishek Sharma departed for a duck in the opening over, setting a precarious tone for the rest of the chase. While Ishan Kishan attempted to counter-attack with a rapid 33 off 11 balls, he failed to convert his start into a substantial innings.

The wickets continued to tumble at regular intervals. By the 10th over, half the SRH side was back in the pavilion. A brief glimmer of hope emerged through a 56-run partnership between Nitish Kumar Reddy and Salil Arora, but the pressure of the required run rate proved insurmountable. Once Salil Arora departed for 38, the innings collapsed, with the Sunrisers eventually bowled out for 196.

Pat Cummins Reflects on the Defeat

Despite the crushing defeat, SRH skipper Pat Cummins remained gracious in his post-match assessment. Acknowledging the brilliance of the opposition, Cummins noted, “He (Sooryavanshi) played pretty well. It was a really good pitch, even in the end.”

Cummins also emphasized the growth of his squad, highlighting their youth. “It’s great as a captain to see that. We were one of the youngest teams to make it to the playoffs. However, there were a few things we needed 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, but I can’t ask for anything more from the boys.”

Looking Ahead

For the Rajasthan Royals, the victory serves as a massive confidence booster heading into Qualifier 2. Their ability to set an imposing total, even amidst a late-innings collapse, suggests that they possess the firepower to challenge the Gujarat Titans. Conversely, the Sunrisers Hyderabad will look back at their 2026 campaign as a period of significant development, despite the bitter exit in the Eliminator. The tournament continues to provide exhilarating cricket, and as the final stages approach, the intensity only continues to rise.