Vaibhav Sooryavanshi backed to dominate IPL 2026 Eliminator by ex-BCCI selector – Kris Srikkanth Backs Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to Dominate IPL 2026 Eliminator

The Battle of Mullanpur: Rajasthan Royals Face Sunrisers Hyderabad in High-Stakes Eliminator

The business end of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 has arrived, bringing with it the intense pressure of the knockout stages. In a do-or-die Eliminator clash, the fourth-placed Rajasthan Royals (RR) are set to lock horns with the third-placed Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, New Chandigarh. With both teams eyeing a spot in Qualifier 2, former India captain and chief selector Kris Srikkanth has shared his expert analysis, tipping the Royals as slight favorites and throwing his weight behind teenage prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to deliver a match-winning performance.

Kris Srikkanth Backs Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to Rise to the Occasion

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Kris Srikkanth addressed queries regarding the highly anticipated playoff encounter. Despite Rajasthan Royals experiencing a turbulent run in the second half of the group stage, Srikkanth believes they hold a slight edge over Hyderabad. He rated the matchup 55-45 in favor of the inaugural champions, pointing to their ability to bounce back in crucial moments.

A key factor in Srikkanth’s prediction is the form of RR’s breakout star, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The 15-year-old batting sensation had a rare failure in RR’s final league game against the Mumbai Indians, but Srikkanth believes this only makes him more dangerous in the Eliminator. “I believe it’s 55-45 to RR,” Srikkanth analyzed. “Vaibhav Sooryavanshi didn’t score in the last match, and he has that fire. Usually, if he fails in one game, he performs in the next. If he and Jaiswal set the tone, that’ll be enough for RR, with Jurel batting very well. If Archer bowls two deadly deliveries and removes Head and Abhishek, he can finish you off in the powerplay itself.”

The Phenomenal IPL 2026 Season of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has been nothing short of a revelation in IPL 2026. At just 15 years of age, the young left-hander has established himself as arguably the most explosive batter of the tournament, earning widespread praise and prompting calls for an immediate national call-up. His statistical output this season speaks volumes about his immense talent:

• Total Runs: 583 runs in the tournament, making him Rajasthan Royals’ leading run-scorer.
• Batting Average: A highly impressive 41.64.
• Strike Rate: A breathtaking 232, terrorizing opposition bowling attacks.
• Milestones: 3 half-centuries and 1 spectacular century.
• Sixes Hit: 53 sixes, setting a new record for the most sixes hit by an Indian batter in a single IPL season.

Sooryavanshi’s ability to dominate the powerplay alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal has been the cornerstone of RR’s batting blueprint. If the duo click against SRH’s bowling attack, they can take the game away from the ‘Orange Army’ within the first six overs.

The Playoff Equation: The Road to the Final

The stakes could not be higher for both franchises at Mullanpur. Sunrisers Hyderabad finished the league stage in third place with 18 points, while Rajasthan Royals secured the fourth spot with 16 points. The playoff structure lays out a challenging yet clear path to glory:

• The Eliminator: The loser of the RR vs SRH clash will be immediately knocked out of the tournament.
• Qualifier 2: The winner of this Eliminator will advance to Qualifier 2, scheduled for May 29 in Mullanpur, where they will face the Gujarat Titans (GT).
• The Final: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have already secured their place in the grand finale after winning Qualifier 1. The final will take place on May 31 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Evaluating the Sunrisers Hyderabad Threat

While Srikkanth favored RR, he was quick to acknowledge the sheer strength of the Sunrisers Hyderabad lineup. On paper, SRH boasts one of the most formidable squads in the league, characterized by a highly explosive batting unit and an incredibly stable middle order.

“On paper, SRH are a gun side and the far superior side,” Srikkanth admitted. “They have as dangerous a batting side as RCB. But RCB scores in a more collective manner. Yet, RR is a funny and dangerous side. We can’t underestimate RR. SRH’s real plus is Kishan and Klaasen. Their Nos. 3 and 4 are too strong and have been the best 3 and 4 in the competition.”

The battle in the middle overs will likely decide the outcome. If RR’s bowlers fail to contain the dynamic duo of Kishan and Heinrich Klaasen, SRH could easily post a mammoth total or chase down any target set by the Royals. Conversely, if Jofra Archer can dismantle the opening pair of Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma early on, the pressure on SRH’s middle order will be immense.

Rajasthan’s Topsy-Turvy Journey to the Playoffs

Rajasthan Royals’ campaign has been a dramatic rollercoaster ride. They started the tournament in scintillating fashion, winning each of their opening four matches. However, they suffered a massive mid-season slump, losing six out of their next eight games and putting their playoff qualification in serious jeopardy.

Faced with elimination, the inaugural champions showed great character to win their final two league games, securing their playoff spot on the very last day of the league stage. This hard-fought qualification has given them momentum, which they will desperately hope to carry into the Eliminator against a formidable Hyderabad side.