“Played pretty well”: Pat Cummins left impressed by Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s explo – IPL 2026: Pat Cummins Applauds Vaibhav Sooryavanshi After RR’s Eliminator Win
A Masterclass in Aggression: Rajasthan Royals Dominate the Eliminator
The Maharaja Yadavindra Singh PCA Stadium in New Chandigarh bore witness to a spectacular display of batting firepower during the 72nd match of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. In a high-pressure Eliminator clash between the Rajasthan Royals (RR) and the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), it was the Royals who emerged victorious, knocking the Orange Army out of the tournament with a comprehensive 47-run win. This result propels the Rajasthan Royals into Qualifier 2, where they are set to face the Gujarat Titans in a bid for a spot in the final.
The Strategic Setup
Pat Cummins, at the helm of the Sunrisers Hyderabad, won the toss and elected to field, hoping to utilize the conditions to restrict the Royals. The team brought in Praful Hinge to replace Harshal Patel, while the Rajasthan Royals opted for Ravindra Jadeja in place of Shubam Dubey. The stakes were absolute: a win meant continued survival in the tournament, while a loss marked the end of the road.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s Record-Breaking Knock
The highlight of the evening was undoubtedly the explosive batting display by Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. From the very first ball, he looked intent on taking the game away from the Sunrisers. Alongside his opening partner, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sooryavanshi set the stadium alight, putting together a commanding 80/0 within the powerplay. Sooryavanshi was the primary aggressor, showcasing an incredible range of shots that left the SRH bowlers scrambling for answers.
His fifty came up in just 16 deliveries, a testament to his sheer intent. Though he was eventually dismissed, his contribution of 97 runs off a mere 29 deliveries was a masterclass in modern T20 batting. His partnership of 125 runs with Jaiswal provided the backbone for the Royals, as the team reached a formidable total of 243/8 by the end of their innings, despite a late-order slowdown where they lost momentum in the final five overs.
The Sunrisers Chase Fails to Take Flight
Chasing a mammoth target of 244, Sunrisers Hyderabad needed a perfect start. Instead, they suffered the worst possible beginning when Abhishek Sharma was dismissed for a duck in the very first over. Ishan Kishan attempted to keep the run rate high with a quickfire 33 off 11 balls, and Travis Head contributed 17, but the wickets continued to tumble at regular intervals. By the 10th over, the SRH middle order was already back in the dugout, leaving the team in a precarious position.
Nitish Kumar Reddy and Salil Arora attempted to resurrect the innings with a 56-run partnership off 24 balls. However, once Arora fell for 38 off 20 deliveries, the resistance crumbled. Captain Pat Cummins chipped in briefly before being dismissed, and the innings ultimately folded for 196, with Shivang Kumar the final man to fall.
Pat Cummins’ Respectful Analysis
Despite the bitter exit from the tournament, Pat Cummins was gracious in defeat, reserving high praise for the performance of the young Rajasthan batter. During the post-match presentation, the Australian pace ace admitted, “He (Sooryavanshi) played pretty well. It was a really good pitch, a pretty good wicket even in the end.”
Cummins reflected on his team’s journey throughout the season, noting, “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.”
The victory marks a significant milestone for the Rajasthan Royals, who now move forward with immense momentum, while the Sunrisers Hyderabad reflect on a campaign that showed glimpses of brilliance and a clear pathway for their emerging talent.
