The high-stakes intensity of the IPL 2026 playoffs took center stage at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh on Wednesday. In a roaring clash during the crucial Eliminator match, the Rajasthan Royals (RR) locked horns with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). While playoff encounters are traditionally defined by veteran nerves, it was a 15-year-old prodigy who stole the spotlight, leaving fans and cricket pundits entirely awestruck.
Ravichandran Ashwin urges Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s family to protect rising RR star
Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s breathtaking IPL 2026 Eliminator knock against Sunrisers Hyderabad has now earned praise from Ravichandran Ashwin, with the former India spinner left stunned by the Rajasthan Royals teenager’s mental maturity at just 15 years of age. Ashwin even joked that Suryavanshi’s parents should protect the youngster from the ‘evil eye’ after his remarkable rise this season.
Speaking on his YouTube channel after Rajasthan Royals’ win over SRH, Ashwin said the teenager’s ability to improve and adapt within a single IPL season was what impressed him the most.
“I don’t wanna play 15 years old boy card but tell me how many matches did he play at age of 15 to get this level of mental maturity? If you remember his uppercut over third man for six, the same ball at the start of the season he was trying to play straight and it was getting top edged. Inside a season he made such changes at age of just 15,” Ashwin said.
Ashwin then went on to shower even bigger praise on the RR prodigy.
“He is not a normal player. His mom and dad need to do whatever it takes to remove bad evil eye from him. This boy in the post-match interview was saying that hundred will come later, I tried to win the match for my team tonight. The way he bats, he doesn’t care about hundreds because he knows he will get them here and there,” he added.
Ashwin also highlighted how Suryavanshi answered questions surrounding pressure handling during the playoffs.
“There was a question on him, how he was going to play under pressure, and he was incredible,” Ashwin concluded.
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RR outclass SRH in Eliminator to keep IPL 2026 title hopes alive
Driven by Suryavanshi’s historic onslaught, the Rajasthan Royals completely outclassed Sunrisers Hyderabad, securing a commanding 47-run victory to keep their IPL 2026 title dreams alive. Blasting his way to a 16-ball half-century, the teenage opener finished with a monumental 97 runs off just 29 deliveries, decorated with 5 fours and an astonishing 12 sixes. Alongside a blistering 50 off 21 balls from Dhruv Jurel and a solid 29 from Yashasvi Jaiswal, RR posted a colossal total of 243/8 in their allotted 20 overs. SRH bowler Praful Hinge managed a 3-wicket haul, but it came at a costly economy rate.
Faced with a mountainous target of 244, Sunrisers Hyderabad crumbled heavily under the pressure of the steep chase. Jofra Archer ripped through the top order, dismissing Abhishek Sharma for a duck and cleaning up Travis Head for 17, finishing with stellar figures of 3/58.
Despite quick counter-attacking cameos from Ishan Kishan (33 off 11) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (38 off 20), SRH fell victim to regular breakthroughs. Left-arm quick Nandre Burger (2/26) and seasoned spin maestro Ravindra Jadeja (2/12) stifled the middle order. Ultimately, SRH was bowled out for 196 in 19.2 overs, ensuring a resounding victory for the Royals. Unsurprisingly, Suryavanshi was named Player of the Match for a historic playoff performance that will be remembered for years to come.
