Hardik Pandya Praises Vaibhav Sooryavanshi After Sensational IPL Knock as Rajasthan Royals Thrash Mumbai Indians
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s electrifying innings of 39 off 14 balls, featuring five sixes and a four, helped Rajasthan Royals (RR) secure a commanding 27-run win over Mumbai Indians (MI) in the rain-curtailed IPL 2026 match on Tuesday. The 15-year-old teenager stole the show with his fearless strokeplay, particularly in his high-profile duel against MI pacer Jasprit Bumrah, where he hammered two sixes in a single over.
Sooryavanshi, alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal, turned the match into a fireworks display as RR reached 150 for 3 in just 11 overs. The opening pair shared a blistering 80-run stand, hitting a total of nine sixes between them. Jaiswal remained unbeaten on 77 off 32 balls, blending elegance with brute force, while Sooryavanshi’s rapid cameo set the tone for the Royals’ imposing total.
MI’s chase never gained momentum. The top order collapsed under pressure, with Ryan Rickelton (8), Rohit Sharma (5), and Suryakumar Yadav (6) falling cheaply to leave MI at 23 for 3 inside three overs. Tilak Varma (14) and captain Hardik Pandya (9) attempted a brief recovery, but RR’s bowlers maintained tight lines and struck at regular intervals to control the match. A brief lapse allowed Sherfane Rutherford to score 25 off eight balls, but Sandeep Sharma’s spectacular low catch ended his innings, restoring RR’s dominance.
One of the standout moments of the day came off the field when MI captain Hardik Pandya acknowledged Sooryavanshi’s remarkable performance. “It’s quite fascinating to see a 17 or a 16-year-old boy playing the way he played. At the same point of time, we discussed so much about him in the preparation leading up to the game,” Pandya said. “Amazing to see the way he bats, the kind of fearlessness he has, the kind of shots he plays. I wish him absolute good luck in the future.”
Pandya’s gesture highlighted the respect the young prodigy has earned from established international stars, underlining Sooryavanshi’s potential to become one of cricket’s next big sensations.
With their bowlers delivering a disciplined performance to restrict MI to 123 for 9, RR’s comprehensive win showcased both explosive batting and tactical bowling, signaling that the Royals are a force to be reckoned with in this season’s IPL.
