Fifteen-year-old cricketing sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi once again left the world stunned with a breathtaking innings of 97 runs off just 29 balls, leading Rajasthan Royals to a victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL 2026 Eliminator. The teenage opener smashed 12 sixes during his jaw-dropping knock, which nearly broke Chris Gayle's record for the fastest century in IPL history. Despite the records, milestones, and the Player of the Match award, Sooryavanshi insisted his focus remains firmly on helping Rajasthan Royals win the trophy.
Focus on Team Success
Speaking after the match, the young opener revealed that he prefers not to overthink situations and instead focuses only on playing the game in front of him. “When we win, we just take the positive intent forward and move on to the next match. And we try to win the next match in the same way and reach the finals,” Sooryavanshi said. Even after producing one of the greatest innings ever seen in an IPL playoff match, he admitted that he keeps his thinking simple before games. “I do think a little bit, but not too much. I just try to play the game I’m in and not overthink. But if I feel there’s something I need to work on, then I look at that.”
Preparation and Strategy
The RR opener also opened up about the amount of preparation that goes into his fearless batting approach. Despite being only 15, Sooryavanshi explained that he carefully studies opposition bowlers, the pitch, and boundary dimensions before going out to bat. “I just think about who the bowlers are in the opposition team, how I can face them on this wicket, how big the boundaries are, just these kinds of things. I just try to stay positive with my intent. When I do that, the bowlers stay under pressure. So I try to continue that and dominate the game.”
That positive intent completely overwhelmed the SRH bowling attack in Mullanpur. On a true batting surface, Sooryavanshi toyed with the likes of Pat Cummins and repeatedly launched the ball into the stands as the Australian captain and his leadership group desperately searched for answers. Anything pitched full was smashed straight back over the bowler’s head, while short deliveries disappeared over third man and fine leg with astonishing ease.
Missed Record but Focused on Trophy
The teenager eventually fell for 97 after getting caught at third man off Praful Hinge, narrowly missing out on what could have been the fastest century in IPL history. However, Sooryavanshi revealed after the match that he was not even aware of the record during his innings. “I found out only after I got out. At that time, my only focus was to contribute as much as I could because centuries will keep happening, but right now the focus is on how to win the trophy.”
The youngster also explained that he prefers concentrating on his own plans rather than worrying about what the opposition might be trying to do against him. “If I feel I’m having trouble somewhere, I work on that. I don’t think about what the opposition is planning, that’s their plan. I focus on what my plan is, and I just try to play normal cricket.”
Record-Breaking Season
Even without the century, Sooryavanshi’s innings rewrote IPL history. He broke Chris Gayle’s 14-year-old record for the most sixes in a single IPL season and now has a staggering 65 maximums in IPL 2026. At just 15 years old, Sooryavanshi continues to produce innings that feel almost impossible, yet the teenager himself remains remarkably calm, grounded, and entirely focused on winning matches for Rajasthan Royals.
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