Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag showered praise on teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi after the team's IPL 2026 campaign ended with a seven-wicket defeat against Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 2. Despite the loss, Sooryavanshi once again impressed everyone with a brilliant 96 off just 47 balls in Mullanpur on Friday.
Sooryavanshi's Fearless Knock
The 15-year-old opener continued his fearless run in the tournament, dismantling Gujarat's experienced bowling attack with stunning strokeplay. Rajasthan had lost Yashasvi Jaiswal and Dhruv Jurel early, but Sooryavanshi steadied the innings while maintaining an aggressive approach. His innings included a flurry of boundaries and sixes, showcasing remarkable composure for his age.
Parag's Admiration
Speaking after the match, Parag could not hide his admiration for the youngster's batting maturity. "I can't put it into words. There's one way where you slog and score many runs, but he doesn't slog. You could see his innings today — he calculates and plays his shots. I can't say how, but hopefully he will go on to do well in his career, do well for the Rajasthan Royals and win us a second title," Parag said.
Rajasthan's Strong Total
Rajasthan Royals posted a strong total of 214 for 6, boosted by Ravindra Jadeja's unbeaten 45 and Donovan Ferreira's explosive 38 not out off just 11 balls. Ferreira smashed Rashid Khan for four sixes in the final over to push the score beyond 200. The lower-order fireworks gave the bowlers a challenging target to defend.
Gujarat's Dominant Chase
However, Gujarat Titans made the chase look comfortable thanks to a superb opening partnership between Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan. The pair added 167 runs in just 77 balls, completely dominating Rajasthan's bowling attack. Gill led from the front with a classy 104 off 53 balls, mixing elegant timing with aggressive strokeplay. Sudharsan contributed a rapid 58 before suffering another bizarre hit-wicket dismissal. The Titans reached the target with overs to spare, sealing their spot in the final.
Gujarat Titans in Third Final
The win sent Gujarat Titans into their third IPL final since joining the tournament in 2022. They will now face defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Ahmedabad on Sunday. The team will look to replicate their previous success and add another title to their cabinet.
Sooryavanshi's Breakout Season
Even in defeat, much of the attention remained on Sooryavanshi, whose remarkable performances have made him one of the breakout stars of IPL 2026. His ability to handle pressure and play calculated shots has drawn comparisons with some of the league's finest. At just 15, he has already shown the potential to become a future star for Rajasthan Royals and Indian cricket.
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