“Played pretty well”: Pat Cummins left impressed by Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s explo – IPL 2026: Pat Cummins Praises Vaibhav Sooryavanshi After RR Knockout Win
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A Masterclass in Aggression: Rajasthan Royals Dominate Eliminator
The Maharaja Yadavindra Singh PCA Stadium in New Chandigarh bore witness to an absolute masterclass in T20 batting during the 72nd match of the TATA IPL 2026. In a high-pressure Eliminator clash between the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and the Rajasthan Royals (RR), the Royals delivered a clinical performance to secure a 47-run victory, effectively ending the Orange Army’s campaign while punching their ticket to Qualifier 2 against the Gujarat Titans.
Pat Cummins, at the helm of the Sunrisers, won the toss and elected to field, hoping to utilize the conditions. The Sunrisers opted for a tactical shift, bringing in Praful Hinge to replace Harshal Patel, while the Royals bolstered their lineup by drafting in the experienced Ravindra Jadeja for Shubam Dubey. However, the pre-match tactical nuances were quickly overshadowed by the sheer brilliance of the Rajasthan opening pair.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi: The Name on Everyone’s Lips
The narrative of the match was undoubtedly written by Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. From the very first ball, he looked intent on dismantling the Sunrisers’ bowling attack. Alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sooryavanshi provided an explosive start, propelling the Royals to a commanding 80/0 within the powerplay. Sooryavanshi, operating as the clear aggressor, raced to a fifty in just 16 balls, setting the tone for what would become an innings for the history books.
Sooryavanshi’s final tally of 97 runs off a mere 29 deliveries was a display of pure power and precision. He attacked all areas of the park, forcing the Sunrisers’ bowlers to scramble for answers. The opening partnership of 125 runs provided a foundation so solid that even a late-innings collapse could not prevent a massive total.
The Total and the Collapse
While the start was electric, the RR middle order experienced a slight stutter. After Sooryavanshi departed, Jaiswal followed, and Dhruv Jurel—despite contributing a valuable half-century—was unable to stem the flow of wickets. Riyan Parag provided a brief cameo of 26 off 11 balls, but the team’s momentum slowed significantly in the final five overs, where they could only muster 36/5. Nevertheless, the Royals posted a formidable target of 243/8.
Sunrisers’ Failed Pursuit
Chasing 244 in an Eliminator is a daunting task, and the Sunrisers Hyderabad suffered the worst possible start. Abhishek Sharma was dismissed for a duck in the opening over, putting the team on the back foot immediately. Ishan Kishan attempted a counter-attack, scoring a rapid 33 off 11, but he failed to convert his start into the substantial innings required under such pressure.
The middle order struggled to maintain the required run rate, and by the end of the 10th over, half of the Sunrisers’ lineup had returned to the dugout. A brief fightback from Nitish Kumar Reddy and Salil Arora, who put together a 56-run partnership off 24 balls, provided a glimmer of hope, but once Arora was dismissed for 38, the chase unraveled. Pat Cummins contributed only one run before the team was eventually bowled out for 196.
Post-Match Reflections from Pat Cummins
Despite the crushing exit from the tournament, Pat Cummins remained gracious in defeat. Reflecting on the brilliance of the opposition, the Sunrisers captain noted, “He (Sooryavanshi) played pretty well. It was a really good pitch. It was a pretty good wicket even in the end. It was a very well-rounded team. Young guns, we were one of the youngest teams to make it to the playoffs.”
Cummins acknowledged the challenges of the chase, adding, “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 Royals now march forward with confidence, their young batting sensation, Sooryavanshi, proving that they have the firepower to take on the very best in the tournament as they prepare for the upcoming Qualifier 2.
