Rajasthan Royals maintained their strong form with a dominant six-wicket triumph over defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL on Friday. Young batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi delivered an explosive 78 runs from 26 deliveries, including seven sixes, helping his team chase down a target of 202 in just 18 overs. While many teenagers his age were focused on school exam results, the 15-year-old from Samastipur in Bihar reached a half-century in only 15 balls.
Dhruv Jurel contributed an unbeaten 81 from 43 balls, displaying elegant strokeplay in what has been his most successful IPL campaign yet. However, Sooryavanshi’s aggressive batting overshadowed the rest, captivating spectators with his skill.
The teenager challenged renowned international bowlers with his quick bat speed and precise timing. He had previously tested Jasprit Bumrah and this time dismantled Josh Hazlewood’s efforts. Hazlewood, known for his Test cricket prowess, delivered a tight ball that restricted space, but Sooryavanshi cut it for four. The following deliveries were hit for boundaries, including one pulled into the stands at square leg.
A highlight was his powerful strike off a yorker from Abhinandan Singh, sending it over long-on into the crowd. Sooryavanshi scored 74 of his 78 runs through boundaries, with eight fours and seven sixes, in just 15 balls. He and Jurel added 108 runs for the second wicket in 6.1 overs, treating bowlers like Bhuvneshwar Kumar with aggression. Jurel also capitalized on Abhinandan’s expensive over, which conceded 24 runs.
Despite concerns about potential dips in form for new players in their second season, Sooryavanshi has defied expectations. After an impressive debut as a 14-year-old, his current campaign has been outstanding. He has elevated strike rates beyond the typical 200 benchmark to 300, reshaping views on batting in the format and positioning himself as a strong candidate for India’s T20 squad.
Earlier, Royal Challengers Bengaluru reached 201 for 8, thanks to Rajat Patidar’s 63 off 40 balls and a quick contribution from impact substitute Venkatesh Iyer. However, the total proved insufficient against Rajasthan’s batting onslaught, appearing well below a competitive score.
