“Played pretty well”: Pat Cummins left impressed by Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s explo – Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Shines: Rajasthan Royals Dominate SRH in IPL 2026 Eliminator
A Masterclass at New Chandigarh
The Maharaja Yadavindra Singh PCA Stadium in New Chandigarh bore witness to a spectacular display of batting firepower during the 72nd match of the TATA Indian Premier League 2026. In the pivotal Eliminator clash, the Rajasthan Royals (RR) dismantled Pat Cummins’ Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by 47 runs, securing their path to Qualifier 2 and setting up a thrilling encounter against the Gujarat Titans.
Winning the toss, Pat Cummins elected to field first, hoping to restrict the Royals on what appeared to be a surface conducive to high-scoring encounters. Both teams made tactical adjustments, with the Royals bringing in the experienced Ravindra Jadeja for Shubam Dubey, while SRH replaced Harshal Patel with Praful Hinge.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi: The Catalyst for Destruction
The spotlight, however, belonged entirely to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The young sensation took the SRH bowling attack to the cleaners from the very first over. Alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal, he provided a blistering start, helping the Royals reach 80/0 within the powerplay. Sooryavanshi was the clear aggressor, reaching a breathtaking half-century in just 16 balls. His monumental innings eventually ended at 97 runs off a mere 29 deliveries, a knock that shattered several records and effectively knocked the wind out of the Sunrisers’ sails.
The opening partnership yielded 125 runs before the breakthrough finally came. Following the departure of the openers, Dhruv Jurel anchored the middle order with a well-composed half-century, while Riyan Parag contributed a rapid-fire 26 off 11 balls. Despite a slight wobble in the final five overs—where the Royals managed only 36 runs for the loss of five wickets—the damage had been done, and the team posted an imposing total of 243/8.
SRH Struggle in the Chase
Chasing a mammoth target of 244, the Sunrisers Hyderabad needed a perfect start, but the exact opposite occurred. Abhishek Sharma was dismissed for a duck in the opening over, putting immediate pressure on the batting lineup. Although Ishan Kishan showed aggressive intent, scoring 33 off 11 balls, he failed to convert his start into a substantial innings. Travis Head followed shortly after with 17 runs, and by the halfway mark, the Sunrisers found themselves in deep trouble, with five wickets already back in the dugout.
A late resistance was mounted by Nitish Kumar Reddy and Salil Arora, who shared a spirited 56-run partnership off 24 balls. However, once Salil Arora departed for 38, the chase unraveled quickly. Pat Cummins contributed only one run, and despite a valiant 27 from Shivang Kumar, the Sunrisers were ultimately bowled out for 196, falling well short of their target.
Reflections from the Captains
Despite the defeat, Pat Cummins was gracious in his assessment of the match and his opponent’s performance. “He (Sooryavanshi) played pretty well. It was a really good pitch. It was a pretty good wicket even in the end,” Cummins noted during the post-match presentation. Reflecting on his own squad, he added, “It was a very well-rounded team. We were one of the youngest teams to make it to the playoffs. 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.”
The victory serves as a testament to the aggressive brand of cricket the Rajasthan Royals have championed throughout the tournament. As they progress to meet the Gujarat Titans, they will carry the momentum of this clinical performance, fueled by the brilliance of rising stars like Sooryavanshi. For SRH, it marks the end of a commendable campaign, characterized by growth and the development of young talent that promises a bright future for the franchise.
