Vaibhav Sooryavanshi backed to dominate IPL 2026 Eliminator by ex-BCCI selector – IPL 2026: Kris Srikkanth Backs Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to Shine in RR vs SRH Eliminator

The Stakes are High at Mullanpur

The stage is set for a high-voltage encounter in the IPL 2026 Eliminator as the Rajasthan Royals (RR) lock horns with the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur. With the Royal Challengers Bengaluru already awaiting the winner in the final, both teams are desperate to keep their championship dreams alive. Former India captain Kris Srikkanth, analyzing the matchup on his YouTube channel, has tipped the scales slightly in favor of the Rajasthan Royals, emphasizing the potential for a comeback from their star youngster, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.

The Sooryavanshi Factor

At just 15 years old, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has taken the IPL 2026 season by storm. Despite a quiet outing against the Mumbai Indians in the final league match, Srikkanth believes the youngster is primed for a massive performance when it matters most. Sooryavanshi currently stands as the highest run-scorer for the Rajasthan Royals this season, accumulating an impressive 583 runs. What makes his statistics truly staggering is his strike rate of 232, combined with an average of 41.64. Having already notched up three fifties and a century, he has also rewritten the history books by hitting a record-breaking 53 sixes for an Indian batter in a single IPL campaign.

Srikkanth noted, “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.” The veteran analyst believes that if the top order fires in tandem with the team’s middle-order stability, RR has every chance to upset the Sunrisers.

Tactical Battles and SRH’s Strength

While Srikkanth favors RR, he remains acutely aware of the threat posed by Sunrisers Hyderabad. He describes the ‘Orange Army’ as a “gun side” on paper, pointing specifically to the destructive capabilities of their middle order. “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,” Srikkanth explained.

The tactical battle in the powerplay will be decisive. Srikkanth highlighted the importance of Jofra Archer’s spell, stating, “If Archer bowls two deadly deliveries and removes Head and Abhishek, he can finish you off in the powerplay itself.” This individual battle could dictate the momentum for the remainder of the innings.

The Road to the Eliminator

The journey for the Rajasthan Royals has been anything but linear. After a scorching start where they secured victories in their first four matches, the team faced a mid-season slump, losing six out of their subsequent eight games. The pressure was immense as they entered the final week of the league stage, but the inaugural champions showed their grit, winning their last two games to clinch the fourth spot on the points table with 16 points. Meanwhile, SRH finished third with 18 points, setting up this crucial clash.

What Lies Ahead

The loser of this Eliminator will be knocked out of the tournament immediately. The victor, however, will progress to face the Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 2, scheduled for May 29. The winner of that clash will travel to the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad for the grand finale on May 31. With the talent on display and the high stakes involved, cricket fans are expecting a thrilling contest between the tactical brilliance of SRH and the explosive, unpredictable nature of the Rajasthan Royals. As Srikkanth suggested, while SRH might appear superior on paper, the ‘funny and dangerous’ nature of RR makes them a side that simply cannot be underestimated under the pressure of the playoffs.