Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, wearing the Orange Cap, delivered a stunning 97 runs off 28 balls in a high-pressure IPL Eliminator match, guiding Rajasthan Royals to a formidable total of 243 for 8 against Sunrisers Hyderabad in New Chandigarh. Sooryavanshi, unfazed by the pressure, credited his coaches for advising him to play freely and enjoy the game without feeling burdened.
Facing a defensive setup from SRH skipper Pat Cummins, Sooryavanshi blazed his way to a half-century in just 16 balls, equalling Suresh Raina’s IPL playoff record. The young batsman also surpassed Chris Gayle’s six-hitting record in a T20 tournament, showcasing an exceptional display of power-hitting. Despite falling short of a century, Sooryavanshi’s aggressive approach set the tone for RR’s commanding innings.
Partnering with Yashasvi Jaiswal, who played a supporting role, Sooryavanshi dominated the SRH bowlers, propelling RR to a remarkable 63 without loss by the end of the fourth over. The momentum continued as Dhruv Jurel joined the onslaught, smashing a quickfire half-century in 20 balls, further bolstering RR’s imposing total before late wickets fell in clusters.
In the closing overs, Donovan Ferreira and Ravindra Jadeja added crucial runs, but SRH fought back with precise bowling and fielding efforts. Sooryavanshi, despite narrowly missing out on a hundred, emphasized that his focus was on playing strategically rather than personal milestones, showcasing a mature approach to his explosive innings.
