Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's 97 in Eliminator: A New IPL Record for Sixes

The 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) witnessed another extraordinary display of batting prowess as 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi of Rajasthan Royals smashed a breathtaking 97 runs off just 29 balls in the Eliminator match against Sunrisers Hyderabad on May 27, 2026. This electrifying performance, which included five boundaries and 12 towering sixes at an astonishing strike rate of 334.48, took place at the New International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, New Chandigarh. Sooryavanshi's innings left spectators and experts in awe, as he came tantalizingly close to breaking Chris Gayle's record for the fastest IPL century, falling short by just three runs. The Eliminator match, a high-stakes knockout fixture, saw Sunrisers Hyderabad electing to field first against Rajasthan Royals. Sooryavanshi, opening the innings, unleashed an onslaught from the very first over, dismantling the SRH bowling attack, which included experienced bowlers like Pat Cummins. His aggressive approach helped Rajasthan Royals post a formidable total of 243/8 in their allotted 20 overs. The young left-hander's innings was a highlight reel of fearless strokeplay, with him consistently clearing the boundaries. The moment he was dismissed, caught off Praful Hinge, the disappointment on his face was palpable, reflecting how close he was to a historic century. Beyond the near-century, Sooryavanshi's knock achieved another significant milestone: he surpassed Chris Gayle's long-standing record for the most sixes in a single IPL season. Gayle had set the record of 59 sixes in IPL 2012, and Sooryavanshi's performance in the Eliminator pushed his tally to 65 sixes for the 2026 season, setting a new benchmark in IPL history. This achievement is particularly remarkable considering his age and the high-pressure environment of an IPL playoff match. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, born on March 27, 2011, is already a well-known prodigy in Indian cricket. He made his first-class debut for Bihar in January 2024 at the remarkably young age of 12 years and 284 days, making him one of the youngest ever to play in the Ranji Trophy. His rapid ascent continued in the IPL, where he became the youngest player to sign an IPL contract, picked by Rajasthan Royals for ₹1.1 crore during the IPL 2025 Mega Auction. In IPL 2025, at just 14 years and 23 days old, he made his IPL debut, becoming the youngest debutant in the league's history. That same season, he also became the youngest centurion in IPL history, scoring 101 off just 38 balls against Gujarat Titans, which was also the second-fastest IPL century ever and the fastest by an Indian. His impressive performance in the ongoing IPL 2026 season has seen him accumulate over 600 runs, making him the youngest batter to reach this milestone, with more than half of his runs coming from sixes. The 2026 Indian Premier League, also known as IPL 19, commenced on March 28 and is scheduled to conclude on May 31, 2026. The playoff schedule, announced on May 6, confirmed the Eliminator between SRH and RR on May 27, followed by Qualifier 2 on May 29 at the same venue, and the Final at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on May 31. Royal Challengers Bengaluru qualified directly for the final after winning Qualifier 1 against Gujarat Titans on May 26. Sooryavanshi's exceptional talent has garnered widespread attention, with cricket legends like Sachin Tendulkar also praising his fearless batting and technique. His continued record-breaking performances indicate a bright future for this young Indian cricketer, who has expressed ambitions of scoring the first double century in T20 cricket. The Eliminator match further solidified his reputation as a generational talent capable of single-handedly changing the momentum of a game.

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