Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Claims Can’t Care Less About Chris Gayle – Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Shatters Chris Gayle’s Sixes Record in IPL 2026
The New Chandigarh Carnage: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s 29-Ball Storm
The IPL has always been a breeding ground for young talent, but what transpired in the IPL 2026 Eliminator in New Chandigarh will be remembered for years to come. Rajasthan Royals’ 15-year-old opening prodigy, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, put on an absolute masterclass of power-hitting, steamrolling the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) bowling attack. In an exhibition of fearless batting, the young left-hander clobbered five boundaries and a staggering 12 sixes, scoring an electrifying 97 runs off just 28 deliveries before being dismissed on his 29th ball.
His sensational innings not only propelled the Rajasthan Royals into the second qualifier of the tournament but also sent shockwaves through the cricketing world. Facing high-pressure knockout circumstances, the teenager played with the freedom of a seasoned veteran, showcasing why he is regarded as one of the most exciting prospects in global cricket today.
Agonizingly Close: The Chris Gayle Record That Got Away
As Sooryavanshi systematically dismantled the Sunrisers Hyderabad bowlers, he unknowingly came within touching distance of scripting one of the greatest individual milestones in T20 history. The legendary Chris Gayle has long held the record for the fastest century in IPL history, reaching the milestone in just 30 balls during his historic 175* knock against Pune Warriors India in 2013.
Sooryavanshi was batting on a colossal 97 from 28 balls, needing just three runs off his next delivery to score a 29-ball century and claim the all-time record. However, attempting an ambitious upper cut off SRH fast bowler Praful Hinge, the youngster was caught by Ravichandran Smaran. He fell just three runs short of a well-deserved century and one ball away from rewriting the history books. Remarkably, the 15-year-old admitted after the match that he had absolutely no idea he was on the verge of breaking the legendary Jamaican’s record.
‘Centuries Will Keep Happening’ – A Teenager’s Elite Mindset
Despite missing out on what would have been an immortalizing individual record, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi showed maturity far beyond his years. Speaking at the post-match presentation ceremony, the young opener emphasized that individual accolades mean very little to him compared to collective team success.
Reflecting on his dismissal and the missed milestone, Sooryavanshi stated: “Mere 100s lagte rahenge (My centuries will keep happening). I found out only after I got out. At that time, my only focus was to contribute as much as I could because centuries will keep happening, but right now the focus is on how to win the trophy.” This refreshing, team-first attitude has earned him high praise from commentators and fans alike, proving that his mental strength matches his formidable physical talent.
Shattering a Legacy: 65 Sixes in a Single Season
While the fastest-century record eluded him, Sooryavanshi did not leave the field empty-handed. His 12 maximums against Sunrisers Hyderabad pushed his tournament tally to a jaw-dropping 65 sixes in the IPL 2026 season. In doing so, he officially broke Chris Gayle’s long-standing record for the highest number of sixes hit in a single edition of the IPL.
Back in the IPL 2012 season, Gayle set what many believed to be an untouchable benchmark by launching 59 sixes while accumulating 733 runs for the Royal Challengers Bangalore. Fourteen years later, a 15-year-old batsman from the Rajasthan Royals has rewritten that legacy, establishing himself as the new undisputed king of maximums in a single IPL campaign.
Complete Match Breakdown: How Rajasthan Royals Outclassed SRH
Thanks to Sooryavanshi’s explosive start, the Rajasthan Royals posted a monumental total of 243-8 in their allotted 20 overs. Supporting the young opener was Dhruv Jurel, who came in at number three and blasted a quickfire 50 runs off just 21 deliveries. For Sunrisers Hyderabad, Praful Hinge was the pick of the bowlers, returning figures of 3 wickets, including the crucial scalps of Sooryavanshi and RR captain Riyan Parag.
Chasing a mammoth target of 244, SRH started aggressively with opener Ishan Kishan smashing a rapid 11-ball 33. However, the scoreboard pressure and consistent wickets derailed the chase. Rajasthan’s bowling unit clinical executed their plans, with Jofra Archer leading the attack with figures of 3-58. Nandre Burger (2-26), Sushant Mishra (2-21), and veteran spinner Ravindra Jadeja (2-21) choked the middle-order, eventually bundling out SRH for 196.
Looking Ahead: Qualifier 2 Clash Against Gujarat Titans
With this convincing victory in the Eliminator, the Rajasthan Royals have secured their spot in Qualifier 2. They are scheduled to face the Gujarat Titans in what promises to be a high-stakes encounter on Friday, May 29, at the same venue in New Chandigarh. All eyes will once again be on the young prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as the Royals look to book their ticket to the grand finale and lift the coveted IPL 2026 silverware.
