Rajasthan Royals (RR) youngster Vaibhav Sooryavanshi grabbed the spotlight with another stunning innings in the IPL 2026 Eliminator. After missing the fastest century record, the 15-year-old showed a team-first mindset, saying that helping the Rajasthan Royals win mattered more than breaking individual records.
The left-handed batter smashed 97 runs off just 29 balls, including five fours and 12 sixes, against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the Eliminator on Wednesday, May 27. Sooryavanshi attempted an upper-cut off Praful Hinge but was caught at deep third man, missing out on the fastest century in IPL history.
Those Runs Hold No Value - Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Prioritizes Team Success Over Records
Speaking ahead of Qualifier 2 against the Gujarat Titans, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi said that he values team victories more than personal milestones. The Rajasthan Royals opener revealed that his father taught him from a young age that individual records matter only when they help the team win.
"Since childhood, my father has always told me that if you score a hundred, a double hundred, or even a triple hundred, but the team does not win because of it, then those runs hold no value," Sooryavanshi said.
"They may only be for your personal record, but they do not benefit the team. Cricket, in the end, is a team game. So, if I score 80 instead of a hundred and my team wins, and if we still do not win despite me scoring a century, then that 80 means more to me than the hundred," he added.
More Chances I Will Get To Score Hundreds" - Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi said that helping the Rajasthan Royals progress further in the tournament will naturally create more opportunities for him to achieve personal milestones.
"The longer my team stays in the tournament and the deeper we go into the playoffs and finals, the more chances I will get to score hundreds and achieve whatever records I want to break. So, it benefits both me personally and the team as well."
Sooryavanshi has enjoyed a remarkable IPL 2026 campaign. The 15-year-old has scored 680 runs in 15 innings at an average of 45.33 and a strike rate of 242.85, including one century and four half-centuries. He has smashed 55 fours and 65 sixes from just 280 balls.
Not Take The Pressure Of A Big Match - Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
Rajasthan Royals will face Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 2 tonight with a place in the IPL 2026 Final against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at stake. Ahead of the clash, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi said that he wants to stick to his natural attacking game and avoid feeling pressured by the occasion.
"We are looking to go in with a good mindset and positive intent and continue doing what the whole team has done throughout the tournament. We should continue to enjoy the game, which we always do, not take the pressure of a big match, and back our strengths. As a team and as a unit, we want to reach the finals and hopefully lift the trophy."
The young opener displayed that mindset in the Eliminator against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Sooryavanshi chose to keep attacking despite needing just one boundary to break Chris Gayle's record. He attempted an aggressive shot off Praful Hinge.
