“Played pretty well”: Pat Cummins left impressed by Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s explo – Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Shines as Rajasthan Royals Eliminate SRH from IPL 2026
A Tactical Masterclass in New Chandigarh
The Maharaja Yadavindra Singh PCA Stadium in New Chandigarh became the stage for a high-stakes showdown in the 72nd match of the TATA Indian Premier League 2026. In the pivotal Eliminator clash, the Rajasthan Royals delivered a clinical performance to dismantle the Sunrisers Hyderabad by 47 runs, effectively ending the Orange Army’s campaign and securing a berth in Qualifier 2 against the Gujarat Titans.
Sooryavanshi’s Explosive Powerplay
The tone for the match was set early by Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. After Pat Cummins won the toss and elected to field, hoping to utilize the conditions, the Rajasthan Royals openers turned the strategy on its head. Sooryavanshi, in particular, was in sublime touch, dismantling the SRH bowling lineup with aggressive intent.
Alongside his opening partner Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sooryavanshi dismantled the powerplay, racking up an imposing 80/0 within the first six overs. The young star reached his fifty in a mere 16 balls, sending a clear message to the opposition. By the time his innings concluded, Sooryavanshi had amassed a staggering 97 runs off just 29 deliveries, a knock that will be remembered for its sheer dominance and record-breaking tempo.
The Middle Order Surge and Final Push
The partnership between Sooryavanshi and Jaiswal yielded 125 runs before the opening stand was broken. While Jaiswal departed for 29, the momentum remained with the Royals. Dhruv Jurel stepped up to contribute a vital half-century, while Riyan Parag provided a quick-fire cameo of 26 off 11 deliveries. Although the Royals faced a late-innings wobble—scoring 36/5 in the final five overs—they managed to post a formidable total of 243/8.
The SRH Chase: A Desperate Struggle
Chasing a massive target of 244 in a knockout game requires composure, a quality that deserted the Sunrisers early on. The pursuit got off to a disastrous start as Abhishek Sharma fell for a duck in the opening over. While Ishan Kishan attempted to inject pace into the innings, his aggressive 33 off 11 balls failed to translate into the long-term partnership required to chase down such a mountain.
Travis Head added 17, but the team’s fragility was on display as half the side was back in the dugout before the ten-over mark. A brief resistance led by Nitish Kumar Reddy and Salil Arora produced a 56-run stand, but with the required run rate climbing, the SRH wickets tumbled regularly. Shivang Kumar was the last to fall, leaving the Sunrisers all out for 196.
Pat Cummins Reflects on the Defeat
Despite the crushing exit, SRH captain Pat Cummins maintained a gracious demeanor, acknowledging the sheer brilliance of the opposition. Reflecting on the performance, Cummins noted, “He (Sooryavanshi) played pretty well. It was a really good pitch. It was a pretty good wicket even in the end. It was a very well-rounded team. Young guns, we were one of the youngest teams to make it to the playoffs.”
Cummins identified the critical moments that cost his team the match, stating, “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.”
Looking Ahead
For the Rajasthan Royals, the victory provides a much-needed boost in confidence as they prepare to face the Gujarat Titans. Their ability to capitalize on strong starts and aggressive batting has made them a formidable force in the playoffs. For Sunrisers Hyderabad, the season ends on a note of reflection, having shown promise throughout the tournament, only to fall short in the high-pressure environment of the Eliminator.
