Teen Sensation Sooryavanshi Rewrites Record Books, Says He Played “Freely”
NEW CHANDIGARH – Rajasthan Royals opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi delivered one of the most explosive innings in Indian Premier League history on May 27, smashing 97 off just 28 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL 2026 Eliminator while also breaking Chris Gayle’s long-standing record for the most sixes in a single T20 tournament.
The 15-year-old batter from Bihar said he avoided thinking about the pressure of the high-stakes knockout match and instead focused on playing freely.
“Yes, I had that in my mind,” Sooryavanshi said when asked whether the occasion crossed his mind while batting. “My coaches told me to play freely, enjoy the game, and not take any pressure.”
Playing at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh, Sooryavanshi became the first player in the world to hit 61 sixes in a single T20 tournament, surpassing former Royal Challengers Bengaluru batter Chris Gayle’s previous record of 59 sixes set during the IPL 2012 season.
The Rajasthan Royals opener also became the first teenager to score 600 runs in a T20 tournament before turning 20. His tally of 600 runs in 15 matches surpassed Indian batter Devdutt Padikkal’s previous teenage record of 580 runs for Karnataka in the 2019-20 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
Sooryavanshi’s remarkable campaign has also placed him ahead of several international players who made early impacts as teenagers, including Mumbai Indians batter Tilak Varma, South Africa’s Lhuan-dre Pretorius, England’s Will Smeed, and Indian cricketers Rishabh Pant and Prithvi Shaw.
Sunrisers Hyderabad captain Pat Cummins attempted defensive field placements early, but Sooryavanshi quickly took control of the innings with an aggressive counterattack.
He raced to a half-century in just 16 balls, equaling former Chennai Super Kings batter Suresh Raina’s record for the fastest fifty in an IPL playoff match.
At the other end, Rajasthan Royals opener Yashasvi Jaiswal played a supporting role with 19 off 16 balls while Sooryavanshi dominated the Sunrisers Hyderabad bowling attack.
The teenager appeared set to break Gayle’s record for the fastest IPL century before falling for 97 while attempting an uppercut off Sunrisers Hyderabad bowler Praful Hinge. Rajasthan Royals were then 125 for 1 after eight overs.
Despite missing out on a century by three runs, Sooryavanshi said he was not focused on personal milestones.
“No, sir. I played that shot on purpose because I saw where the fielder was standing. I tried to hit it much more square. Had I played the ramp toward third man, it would’ve gone away to the fence,” he said. (IANS)
