WWE star Drew McIntyre joins Vaibhav Sooryavanshi fan club, Riyan Parag stunned – WWE Star Drew McIntyre Backs Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in IPL 2026
A Cross-Sport Endorsement: The McIntyre-Sooryavanshi Connection
The world of professional sports often produces unexpected crossovers, but few could have predicted the unlikely alliance between WWE heavyweight Drew McIntyre and IPL sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. As the intensity of the IPL 2026 playoffs reaches a fever pitch, the Rajasthan Royals have found an international cheerleader in the form of the ‘Scottish Warrior’ himself.
McIntyre recently took to social media, specifically Instagram, to share a video of himself training in a Rajasthan Royals jersey. Notably, the jersey bore the name ‘Sooryavanshi’ on the back, signaling his clear support for the 15-year-old batting prodigy. McIntyre simply captioned the post ‘Chosen One,’ a moniker he has used throughout his illustrious wrestling career since 2009.
Riyan Parag’s Fanboy Moment
The gesture was not lost on the Rajasthan Royals camp. Team captain Riyan Parag, clearly surprised and delighted by the recognition from a global wrestling icon, took to the comments section. Parag revealed his own fandom for the WWE product, noting his experience with the ‘Future Shock DDT’ in the popular 2K video game series. This lighthearted interaction between the cricket star and the wrestler provided a moment of levity ahead of the high-stakes pressure of the Eliminator.
The official Rajasthan Royals social media handle also chimed in with a supportive ‘Certainly,’ further solidifying the team’s collective backing of their young star, who has become the cornerstone of their batting lineup this season.
The Rise of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s trajectory in the IPL has been nothing short of extraordinary. After a breakout performance in 2025, he has truly cemented his status as the premier batsman of the league in 2026. His numbers are staggering: in 14 matches, he has amassed 583 runs at an impressive average of 41.64. However, it is his strike rate of 232 that has left opposition bowlers and cricket pundits in awe.
With 3 fifties, a century, and a remarkable 53 sixes to his name this season, Sooryavanshi is just seven maximums away from setting a new record for the most sixes in a single IPL campaign. His ability to clear the ropes with such ease has made him the focal point of Rajasthan Royals’ title aspirations.
Road to the Final: The Eliminator Stakes
The timing of McIntyre’s support is significant, as the Rajasthan Royals prepare for a high-pressure Eliminator clash against the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). After finishing fourth on the points table, RR faces a do-or-die situation. SRH, having finished third, presents a formidable challenge in this knockout fixture.
The path for the Rajasthan Royals has been far from straightforward. After a blistering start that saw them win their first four matches, the team faced a mid-season slump, losing six of their next eight games. Nevertheless, the squad showed immense resilience, winning their final two matches to secure their spot in the playoffs on their own terms. Now, they must maintain that momentum at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur.
The winner of the Eliminator will advance to Qualifier 2 on May 29 to face the Gujarat Titans. The ultimate prize remains the IPL 2026 final, scheduled for May 31 in Ahmedabad, where the Royal Challengers Bengaluru wait to contest for the championship.
Looking Ahead
As fans look forward to the clash in New Chandigarh, the energy surrounding Vaibhav Sooryavanshi continues to grow. Whether he can live up to the ‘Chosen One’ tag bestowed upon him by Drew McIntyre remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the eyes of the cricketing world—and perhaps even the wrestling world—will be firmly fixed on the young batter as he attempts to lead the Rajasthan Royals to their second IPL trophy.
For RR, the road ahead is daunting, but with the backing of their fans and newfound high-profile supporters, the team will be looking to channel that energy into a match-winning performance in the Eliminator. The stakes have never been higher, and the stage is set for a historic encounter in the heart of the IPL playoffs.
