“Played pretty well”: Pat Cummins left impressed by Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s explo – Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Shines as Rajasthan Royals Eliminate SRH in IPL 2026
A Masterclass at New Chandigarh
The IPL 2026 Eliminator at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh PCA Stadium in New Chandigarh will be remembered for one primary reason: the sheer audacity of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. In a high-stakes clash between the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and the Rajasthan Royals (RR), it was the Royals who emerged triumphant, delivering a clinical 47-run win that keeps their championship dreams alive and sends them through to face the Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 2.
Sunrisers captain Pat Cummins won the toss and elected to field, hoping to utilize the conditions early on. The team made one strategic change, bringing in Praful Hinge for Harshal Patel. The Royals countered with their own adjustment, drafting in the experienced Ravindra Jadeja in place of Shubam Dubey. However, the tactical maneuvers of the Sunrisers were soon rendered ineffective by a whirlwind performance from the RR openers.
The Sooryavanshi Show
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi took the center stage from the very first over. Alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal, he provided an explosive start, propelling the team to 80/0 within the mandatory power play. While Jaiswal played his part, it was Sooryavanshi who completely seized the initiative, dismantling the SRH bowling lineup with fearless stroke play.
The statistics of his innings were staggering: a fifty off just 16 balls and a final total of 97 runs off a mere 29 deliveries. His aggression forced the SRH bowlers into a defensive shell, and he proved to be the architect of the massive 125-run opening partnership. Though the Royals suffered a mini-collapse in the final five overs—scoring 36/5 to finish at 243/8—the damage had already been inflicted.
SRH’s Nightmare Chase
Chasing a mammoth target of 244 in a knockout game is never easy, and the Sunrisers Hyderabad faltered under the pressure immediately. Abhishek Sharma departed for a duck in the opening over, setting a tone of panic for the SRH dugout. Despite Ishan Kishan’s rapid-fire 33 off 11 balls and a brief cameo from Travis Head, the required run rate proved to be an insurmountable mountain.
By the 10th over, half of the Sunrisers’ side had returned to the pavilion. A spirited partnership of 56 runs off 24 balls between Nitish Kumar Reddy and Salil Arora offered a glimmer of hope, but once Arora fell for 38, the resistance crumbled. Pat Cummins’ departure for just one run effectively ended the chase, and the innings folded at 196 runs.
Pat Cummins Reflects on the Defeat
Despite the crushing exit, Pat Cummins remained gracious in his assessment of the opposition. The SRH skipper was full of praise for the young batting sensation. “He (Sooryavanshi) played pretty well. It was a really good pitch. It was a pretty good wicket even in the end,” Cummins remarked post-match.
Cummins also took the opportunity to reflect on his team’s season, highlighting the progress of their young squad. “It was a very well-rounded team. Young guns, we were one of the youngest teams to make it to the playoffs. 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.”
What Lies Ahead
The victory serves as a massive confidence booster for the Rajasthan Royals as they move forward to face the Gujarat Titans. Their ability to post a challenging total, even with a late-order wobble, demonstrates a batting depth that will be vital in the upcoming qualifier. For Sunrisers Hyderabad, while the season concludes in heartbreak, the emergence of young talent and the leadership of Pat Cummins provide a solid foundation for future campaigns. As the dust settles on the New Chandigarh encounter, the focus now shifts to the next stage of the IPL 2026 playoffs, where the intensity will only continue to escalate.
