IPL 2026 Eliminator: Rajasthan Royals defeat Hyderabad by 47 runs, courtesy Vaibhav Suryavanshi's explosive 97, to set up Qualifier 2 clash with Gujarat Titans

In the IPL 2026 Eliminator match, Rajasthan Royals convincingly defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad, knocking them out of the tournament. At the Mullanpur ground, Rajasthan, batting first, scored 243 runs, the second-highest score in playoff history. In response, Hyderabad managed only 196 runs in the stipulated 20 overs, losing by 47 runs and getting eliminated from IPL 2026. With this win, Rajasthan Royals have secured a spot in Qualifier 2, where they will face Gujarat Titans on May 29. Rajasthan's innings began exceptionally well, with the team scoring 125 runs in the first 8 overs. Vaibhav Suryavanshi played a blistering innings, scoring 97 runs off 29 balls, including 12 sixes and 5 fours. He became the most dangerous player in the match, scoring 92 runs off just 17 balls. Although he missed his century, getting out on the 29th ball, Vaibhav has now set the record for the most sixes in a season, with 65 sixes, surpassing Chris Gayle's 59 sixes in the 2012 season. Vaibhav's performance is not only a significant achievement for the team but also for the entire IPL. Hyderabad's key batsmen, Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, and Heinrich Klaasen, failed to perform. These three players' disappointing show meant the team could not chase the large score. Abhishek Sharma scored 22, Travis Head managed 15, and Klaasen scored 21 runs. The only notable performance from Hyderabad was Abdul Samad's 38 runs, but his effort was not enough to lead the team to victory. Rajasthan's bowlers also performed well, although the match's outcome was largely decided by the batting. Vaibhav Suryavanshi's success can be attributed to his family, coach, and the support staff of Rajasthan Royals. At just 14 years old, he caught the nation's attention by hitting a six on the first ball of his debut match in IPL 2025. Former cricketer Samar Quadri played a crucial role in bringing Vaibhav to the IPL. Quadri, who has been scouting for Rajasthan Royals for the past 3-4 years, was the first to recognize Vaibhav's talent and helped him join the team. Quadri, a former leg spinner from Bihar, represented Jharkhand and Bihar cricket teams from 2009 to 2021 and took 157 wickets in 45 first-class matches. Quadri revealed that he first saw Vaibhav when he was just 11-12 years old, scoring a century in about 50 balls in a local match, including hitting several runs off Quadri's bowling. After that, Vaibhav got a place in the Bihar Ranji team, and then Quadri informed Rajasthan Royals' High Performance Director, Zubin Bharucha, about Vaibhav. During the trials, Vaibhav stunned everyone by hitting three consecutive sixes off the first three balls. He was then selected, and his journey to the IPL began. This win for Rajasthan Royals has not only ensured their entry into Qualifier 2 but also boosted the team's confidence. In the next match, they will face Gujarat Titans, who lost to Royal Challengers Bangalore in the first qualifier. The winner of this match will face RCB in the final, while the losing team will be eliminated from IPL 2026. With this win, Rajasthan Royals have demonstrated their ability to identify and nurture talented players like Vaibhav, showcasing their capability to recognize future stars of the IPL.