Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's sensational batting display in the IPL 2026 Eliminator between Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad has captured the imagination of cricket legends worldwide. The young opener smashed 97 runs off just 29 balls, leading his team to a brilliant victory and earning accolades from icons like Sachin Tendulkar, Yuvraj Singh, and many more.
Masterclass in Power Hitting
Sachin Tendulkar praised Sooryavanshi's technique, highlighting how he clears his front foot to create room for deliveries aimed at his legs. This freedom allows him to play his natural game with remarkable ease. Tendulkar described the innings as "nothing short of spectacular."
Yuvraj Singh called him a "boss baby" who broke world records, while Suresh Raina noted that the dictionary lacks words to describe his tournament performance. Raina added that fans eagerly waiting to watch him bat prove Indian cricket's future is in safe hands.
Unprecedented Dominance
Former West Indies pacer Ian Bishop remarked on the rare quality of his strokes, scoring 97(29) in his first-ever IPL playoff match. Kevin Pietersen exclaimed, "Sooryavanshi is an absolute joke!" after a massive six over cover. Michael Vaughan declared him the best T20 opener in the world and urged India to select him.
Even political figures joined in praise. Rajeev Shukla congratulated Rajasthan Royals and described the knock as extraordinary. P. Chidambaram noted a unique statistical feat: 92 of his 97 runs came from boundaries—12 sixes and 5 fours—with only 5 runs from singles and twos. He expressed hope for a future innings where all runs come from boundaries.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's innings not only secured a crucial win for Rajasthan Royals but also solidified his reputation as a generational talent in T20 cricket.
