Teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi endured another heartbreaking near-miss as he fell just four runs short of a century for the second consecutive match, despite producing a dazzling innings that propelled Rajasthan Royals to a formidable total against Gujarat Titans in IPL Qualifier 2 on Friday.
The 15-year-old prodigy played a sensational knock of 96 off 47 deliveries, showcasing remarkable maturity and fearless strokeplay as Rajasthan Royals posted 214 for six. His innings came just two days after he was denied a maiden IPL hundred in the Eliminator against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
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A larger crowd than the one that attended Wednesday’s match packed the stadium, with many eager to witness the young star continue his extraordinary run. Sooryavanshi did not disappoint, entertaining fans with a range of attacking shots and expertly pacing his innings.
With a deserved century within reach once again, the youngster looked set to reach the milestone before falling in the 19th over. Attempting to take on a short-pitched delivery from Kagiso Rabada, Sooryavanshi was caught at third man, ending his innings on 96 and leaving the crowd stunned.
The disappointment was evident on the teenager’s face as he walked back to the dugout. Cameras later captured Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag engaged in an animated conversation with the visibly distraught youngster, seemingly offering words of encouragement after another agonising near-miss.
Despite missing out on a landmark century, Sooryavanshi’s innings played a crucial role in Rajasthan Royals posting a challenging total and further cemented his status as one of the most exciting young talents in the tournament.
(This story is published from a syndicated feed)
