Rajasthan Royals (RR) kept their IPL 2026 title hopes alive with a dominant 47-run victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the Eliminator at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur on Wednesday, May 27. While the win pushed RR one step closer to ending their 18-year-long title drought, the spotlight once again belonged to 15-year-old Indian prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
The teenager delivered yet another breathtaking performance, smashing 97 runs off just 29 balls to help Rajasthan Royals post a massive total of 244. During his explosive knock, Sooryavanshi hammered five fours and 12 sixes at an astonishing strike rate of 334.48. In the process, he also surpassed Chris Gayle’s record for most sixes in a single IPL season, going past the West Indies legend’s tally of 59 sixes from IPL 2012.
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What made the innings even more special was the way the youngster dismantled a world-class bowling attack led by Australian captain Pat Cummins. The SRH skipper endured a forgettable outing, conceding 64 runs in his four-over spell — his most expensive figures in tournament history.
Sooryavanshi’s fearless hitting has now become a major talking point in international cricket circles, with several media outlets across the world praising the youngster and even discussing the possibility of an early India debut.
Australian newspaper The Sydney Morning Herald described him as “the teenage phenom who just tore apart Pat Cummins.” Senior cricket writer Daniel Brettig highlighted the fearless manner in which the 15-year-old dominated one of the best fast bowlers in the world.
Another Australian media outlet, Fox Cricket, used phrases like “absolute joke” and “pure magic” while reacting to the teenager’s unbelievable innings and record-breaking six-hitting display.
English journalist Will Macpherson, Deputy Cricket Correspondent of The Telegraph, also showered praise on the RR batter in his article titled “Why Vaibhav Sooryavanshi might be sport’s greatest 15-year-old.” Macpherson pointed out the youngster’s remarkable numbers this season, including 680 runs in 15 innings at a staggering strike rate of 242.85, while also suggesting that an India call-up could soon be on the cards.
Former cricketers and legends were equally impressed. Ex-England captain Michael Vaughan wrote on X that India should fast-track Sooryavanshi into the national T20I side, calling him “the best T20 opener in the world.”
Chris Gayle also praised the teenager, posting, “What a phenomenal player Vaibhav is. Great entertainment young man! New six machine.”
From India, stars like Suryakumar Yadav, Sachin Tendulkar and Yuvraj Singh also applauded the youngster as the cricketing world continued to marvel at the rise of one of IPL 2026’s biggest sensations.
