“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 in Aggression at New Chandigarh

The Maharaja Yadavindra Singh PCA Stadium in New Chandigarh played host to a high-stakes showdown in the 72nd match of the TATA IPL 2026. In an Eliminator clash that demanded nerves of steel, the Rajasthan Royals produced a clinical performance, dismantling the Sunrisers Hyderabad by 47 runs. This victory propels the Royals into Qualifier 2, where they will face the Gujarat Titans, while the journey for Pat Cummins’ Sunrisers comes to an abrupt end.

The Opening Gambit

Pat Cummins won the toss and elected to field, hoping to utilize the conditions early on. SRH made a tactical change, bringing in Praful Hinge for Harshal Patel, while the Royals opted for the experience of Ravindra Jadeja, replacing Shubam Dubey. However, the decision to bowl first backfired spectacularly against a rampant Rajasthan batting lineup.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi emerged as the undisputed protagonist of the evening. Alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal, he provided an explosive start, putting up 80 runs in the powerplay alone. Sooryavanshi was in a league of his own, smashing the ball to all corners of the park. He reached his half-century in just 16 deliveries, maintaining an aggressive tempo that kept the SRH bowlers under constant pressure. By the time his innings concluded, Sooryavanshi had amassed a staggering 97 runs off only 29 balls, a knock that will surely go down as one of the most memorable in the franchise’s history.

RR Sets a Daunting Target

The opening partnership yielded 125 runs, laying a massive foundation. While Jaiswal departed for 29, the momentum was sustained by Dhruv Jurel, who notched up a solid half-century. Riyan Parag also chipped in with a quick-fire 26 off 11 balls. Although the Royals saw a late-innings collapse—scoring 36/5 in the final five overs—they managed to post a formidable total of 243/8.

SRH’s Struggle in the Chase

Chasing 244 in a knockout game was always going to be an uphill task, and the Sunrisers suffered a disastrous start. Abhishek Sharma was dismissed for a duck in the very first over, setting a jittery tone for the innings. Despite a blistering 33 off 11 balls from Ishan Kishan and 17 from Travis Head, the required run rate proved to be an insurmountable barrier. By the 10th over, half of the Sunrisers’ batting order had already returned to the dugout.

A brief resistance was offered by Nitish Kumar Reddy and Salil Arora, who stitched together 56 runs off 24 balls. However, once that partnership was broken, the SRH tail folded quickly. Pat Cummins contributed only a single run before falling, and the team was eventually bowled out for 196, with Shivang Kumar fighting until the end to contribute 27 runs.

Reflections from the Captain

Following the defeat, Pat Cummins remained gracious in his assessment of the game. Acknowledging the brilliance of the opposition, the SRH skipper remarked, “He (Sooryavanshi) played pretty well. It was a really good pitch, even in the end. It was a very well-rounded team. We were one of the youngest teams to make it to the playoffs.”

Reflecting on the campaign, Cummins added, “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 marks a significant milestone in their 2026 campaign. With their batting firepower peaking at the right time, they look like a formidable force heading into the next qualifier. Meanwhile, SRH leaves the tournament with their heads held high, having fostered a young group of players who pushed the limits of the competition throughout the season.